Postpartum
Jul 21, 2024
Shanta N. Kanukollu, Ph.D.
The journey of motherhood doesn't end when you leave the hospital with your newborn. In fact, the weeks and months following childbirth - known as the postpartum period - are a critical time for both mother and baby.
Yet, all too often, the care provided during this time falls short of what new mothers truly need. At Materna Health, we believe in the power of comprehensive postpartum care to transform the experience of new motherhood. Let's explore what this means and why it's so important.
Understanding the Postpartum Period
The postpartum period, sometimes called the "fourth trimester," extends far beyond the traditional six-week check-up. Recent research shows that women's health needs continue for at least a year after giving birth. In fact, according to the CDC, about one-third of pregnancy-related deaths occur 1 week to 1 year postpartum. This underscores the critical need for extended, comprehensive care.
What is Comprehensive Postpartum Care?
Comprehensive postpartum care is a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of a new mother's health and well-being. It includes:
The Postpartum Care Crisis in America: The United States is facing a critical crisis in postpartum care that demands urgent attention and comprehensive reform.
What is Postpartum Depression?: Understand the causes and treatment for postpartum depression.
Physical Recovery: Helping women heal from childbirth, manage complications, and regain strength.
Mental Health Support: Screening for and addressing postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Breastfeeding Support: Providing education, troubleshooting issues, and supporting women's feeding choices.
Nutrition and Exercise Guidance: Offering advice on postpartum nutrition and safe return to physical activity.
Exercise Guidelines: A literature review of best practices for postpartum exercise and recovery.
Chronic Condition Management: Monitoring and managing ongoing health conditions that may be affected by pregnancy and childbirth.
Family Planning: Discussing future pregnancy intentions and providing appropriate contraception.
Social Support: Connecting women with resources and support networks to ease the transition to motherhood.
The Importance of Extended Care
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that postpartum care should be an ongoing process, rather than a single encounter. This aligns with our approach at Materna Health, where we offer a 12-week Virtual Intensive Postpartum Care (IPC) program.
Extended care is crucial because:
Many postpartum complications, including life-threatening ones, can occur weeks or months after delivery.
Mental health issues may not manifest immediately after birth.
Women need ongoing support as they navigate the physical and emotional challenges of new motherhood.
Addressing Racial Disparities
It's impossible to discuss maternal health without addressing the significant racial disparities that exist. Black women face a pregnancy-related mortality ratio of approximately three times as high as that of white women. Comprehensive postpartum care must include culturally competent care and strategies to address these unacceptable disparities.
The Role of Value-Based Care
The healthcare system increasingly recognizes the importance of value-based care in improving maternal health outcomes. Value-based maternity care models focus on quality over quantity, emphasizing outcomes that matter most to mothers and babies. These models can help ensure women receive the comprehensive, ongoing care they need.
Leveraging Technology
Technology plays a crucial role in modern postpartum care. Telemedicine, mobile apps, and wearable devices can help provide continuous support, monitor health metrics, and connect women with care providers when needed. At Materna Health, our Virtual IPC program leverages these technologies to provide accessible, high-quality care.
The Postpartum Care Team
Comprehensive postpartum care involves a team of healthcare professionals, including OB/GYNs, midwives, lactation consultants, mental health professionals, and more. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of a woman's health are addressed.
Preventing Maternal Deaths
Perhaps the most critical reason for comprehensive postpartum care is its potential to prevent maternal deaths. According to Maternal Mortality Review Committees, over 60% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. By providing thorough, ongoing care, we can identify and address potential complications before they become life-threatening.
A New Standard of Care
Comprehensive postpartum care is not a luxury—it's a necessity. By extending care beyond the immediate postpartum period, addressing all aspects of health and well-being, and leveraging new care models and technologies, we can transform the postpartum experience.
At Materna Health, we're committed to providing this level of comprehensive care through our Virtual IPC program. We believe that every new mother deserves the support and care she needs to thrive in her journey of motherhood.
Whether you're a new mother, a healthcare provider, or a policymaker, we all have a role to play in promoting comprehensive postpartum care. Together, we can set a new standard of care that supports women through one of the most significant transitions of their lives.
