Postpartum complications

Overview

Vitamin A (WA 56; medium effect size, low evidence, medium trust) has medium-strength evidence for postpartum complications. Weekly vitamin A during and after pregnancy in malnourished women may reduce postpartum diarrhea and bloody stool and lower pregnancy-related death by about 40%. Milk Thistle (WA 44; low effect size, low evidence, medium trust) has one study suggesting a 3% topical ointment on episiotomy stitches may reduce pain and aid healing over ten days.

Evidence for milk thistle remains uncertain. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below.

Effect graph

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Relevant supplements

Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.


Vitamin A	★★★★★	Medium
Milk Thistle	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.

2 supplements for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Vitamin AView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeMediumEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

Taking vitamin A supplements once a week during and after pregnancy helps malnourished women reduce problems like diarrhea and bleeding in stool after giving birth.
It also lowers the chance of death related to pregnancy by about 40%.

Browse 2 studies

RCTVitamin A or beta-carotene supplementation reduces symptoms of illness in pregnant and lactating Nepali women2000

A randomized trial in women found that among women receiving vitamin A, the total number of days of illness symptoms accrued over the last 12 wk of pregnancy was lower by 5 d compared with the placebo recipients.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Women

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RCTDouble blind, cluster randomised trial of low dose supplementation with vitamin A or beta carotene on mortality related to pregnancy in Nepal. The NNIPS-2 Study Group1999

A randomized trial in women found that 7,000 µg retinol equivalents/week combined, vitamin A or beta carotene lowered mortality by 44% (0.56 (0.37 to 0.84), P<0.005) and reduced the maternal mortality ratio from 645 to 385 deaths per 100 000 live births, or by 40% (P<0.02).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 3.5 years
Dose: 7,000 µg retinol equivalents/week
Population: Women

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Milk ThistleView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It isn’t clear if milk thistle cream helps recovery after childbirth.
Research suggests that applying a 3% milk thistle ointment twice a day for 10 days on stitches from an episiotomy may reduce pain and help healing.

Browse 1 study

RCTEvaluation the effect of Silybum marianum ointment on episiotomy wound healing and pain intensity in primiparous women: a randomized triple blind clinical trial2021

A 10-day triple-blind RCT found Silybum marianum ointment accelerated episiotomy wound healing and reduced pain intensity in primiparous women versus control.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 10 days
Population: Women
Ages: 18–35

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Evidence visualised

Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.

Purchase-guidance distribution

How many supplements fall in each purchase band

Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 2 supplements for postpartum complications (3 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Vitamin A	★★★★★56%	2	0	67%
Milk Thistle	★★★★★44%	1	0	33%

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Postpartum complications

Overview

Effect graph

Relevant supplements

Studies

Evidence visualised

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