Diamond-Smith Lab

Research focus

NIH R01 · 2025

Temporary childbirth migration: understanding the magnitude and implications for maternal and infant health

PROJECT SUMMARY Women in South Asia often return to their natal homes in different communities during pregnancy, for childbirth, and postpartum. Our team conducted the first robust measurement of this phenomenon in two states of India (coining the term “temporary childbirth migration (TCM)”) and found that about one-third of women returned to the natal home point during the perinatal period. Given India’s reliance on community-based maternal and child health care delivery, TCM may disrupt care continuity, negatively impacting health care access and health outcomes. Conversely, given the lower status of women in their marital homes, TCM could potentially improve health outcomes for migrants,…

From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.