When a baby is born in the U.S., the focus shifts almost entirely to the newborn. Checkups are scheduled for the baby, and new parents are inundated with guidance on feeding, sleeping, and milestones. This is all great for the baby, but what does it mean for the mother?
 

In many cases, she is left to navigate the physical and emotional challenges of postpartum recovery on her own. Research shows that dedicated postpartum support reduces complications like postpartum hemorrhage, high blood pressure, and severe mental health struggles. These conditions often go unnoticed simply because there isn’t a system in place to catch them.

In many countries and cultures outside of the United States, postpartum care is more of a priority. In South Korea, 84% of new mothers routinely spend time in specialized care centers and receive medical attention, nutrition, and support with infant care for an average of two weeks. In France, postpartum physical therapy is standard. For mothers in the Netherlands, they benefit from the option of in-home maternity care for the first week after birth, helping families adjust with professional medical support.

With one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world, the U.S. puts much of its focus on prenatal care and safe deliveries rather than the importance of postpartum recovery. Birth is not the finish line, it’s the beginning of a critical recovery period.

The Cost of Neglecting Postpartum Care

The absence of postpartum care can weaken families, disrupt workplaces, and strain the economy. One in seven mothers experience postpartum depression, but many go undiagnosed and untreated, leading to financial and emotional stress at home. Estimates suggest that untreated postpartum depression can cost employers approximately $6,223 per mother in lost productivity.

Workplaces suffer when postpartum recovery is not taken seriously. Approximately one in four U.S. women return to work within two weeks of giving birth before they are physically or emotionally ready. Without proper postpartum support, women are at a higher risk of suffering from burnout, reduced productivity, and leaving the workforce entirely.

Improving women’s health outcomes could significantly strengthen the global economy, potentially contributing over $1 trillion by 2040. Achieving this requires greater investment in women-centric research, improved data collection on gender-specific health disparities, expanded access to specialized postpartum care, increased funding for women’s health innovations, and workplace policies that better support maternal and reproductive health.

Countries that prioritize postpartum care and paid leave benefit from higher workforce retention, increased family stability, and better long-term economic outcomes. Structured postpartum care is important for improving health, protecting families’ financial well-being, and ensuring women have the opportunity to fully participate in the workforce.

A Path Forward: Treating Postpartum Care as Essential Healthcare

The U.S. can address this by shifting how we approach maternal health with support from the government and employers. Postpartum care should not be seen as an optional luxury; it is essential healthcare.

To make meaningful progress, we need to:

• Expand Insurance Coverage for Postpartum Services – Medicaid covers 41% of U.S. births, but meaningful postpartum care is inaccessible for most families. While 46 states have extended coverage to 12 months, many services like lactation support, mental health care, and pelvic floor therapy are excluded. A national standard ensures all mothers receive comprehensive care. This can come through federal action or employer support, as some companies already recognize postpartum recovery’s impact on workforce retention and productivity.


• Increase Paid Family Leave Protections – The U.S. is one of the only wealthy nations without a federally mandated paid leave policy. Only 13 states and Washington, D.C., currently have paid leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act offers job protection but does not guarantee paid time off, leaving many parents, particularly low-income workers, without the ability to take adequate leave.


• Normalize and Expand Postpartum Recovery Support – Access to in-home care, postpartum doulas, and specialized recovery programs should be widely available and covered under health benefits, including Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. Making these services more accessible would help bridge the gap in maternal care and improve outcomes for families.


• Address Racial and Economic Disparities – Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, largely due to disparities in care and systemic bias in the medical system. Policies should focus on increasing access to community-based postpartum care, midwifery services, and culturally competent healthcare providers who can offer ongoing support.

Postpartum Care Is an Investment, Not a Cost

By recognizing the importance of postpartum care and investing in meaningful support, we can build a future where every mother receives critical care, which in turn will lead to healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient society. Postpartum care is not a cost but an investment in the well-being of mothers, children, and the broader economy.

Author Bio

Boram Nam is an entrepreneur of innovative startups. She is co-founder of Boram Care, an organization dedicated to making postpartum care essential in the U.S. through supportive, elevated services for new mothers.

Error: No such template "/CustomCode/topleader/category"!