Postpartum care involves comprehensive support and medical attention to women immediately following childbirth, a critical period for physical recovery and emotional well-being that typically spans up to eight weeks. This phase supports physical recovery and emotional well-being, during which mothers experience significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes as they recover from childbirth and adjust to their new roles and responsibilities [1, 2].
The importance of postpartum care is underscored by concerning statistics, with a large proportion of maternal deaths occurring in the postpartum period. Untreated complications such as postpartum hemorrhage or mental health conditions like postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety frequently contribute to maternal mortality [1, 2].
Effective postpartum care significantly impacts the health and well-being of both mothers and newborns. Healthcare providers must recognize critical signs and symptoms needing immediate attention, such as perineal injuries, bladder issues, anemia, and mental health disorders, to ensure timely intervention [3].
Mothers should prioritize their physical recovery postpartum:
Emotional support is essential to postpartum care, as many mothers experience a wide range of emotions, including anxiety and postpartum depression (PPD). Approximately 20% of mothers experience significant symptoms of depression, underscoring the need for healthcare providers to screen regularly and offer timely mental health support [1, 2].
Postpartum care also includes discussions about family planning, which is an essential aspect of maternal health. Healthcare providers should counsel mothers on available contraceptive options, particularly in relation to breastfeeding and their reproductive goals [5]. Effective family planning support helps address unmet contraceptive needs and promotes informed decision-making regarding future pregnancies.
Postpartum care is especially important for mothers who have experienced severe pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia. This care should include comprehensive follow-up beyond a single postpartum visit, addressing ongoing physical and emotional health concerns.
Women who experience conditions like pre-eclampsia face increased long-term health risks, including cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders, without appropriate follow-up care [6-8]. Effective postpartum management of these complications often involves personalized medication regimens tailored to the patient's needs. Treatments for postpartum pre-eclampsia typically include blood thinners to prevent clots, blood pressure medications to control hypertension, and antiseizure medications to prevent seizures, a major risk associated with postpartum pre-eclampsia [9,10].
Postpartum care in low-resource, low-income settings is crucial yet often neglected, significantly contributing to high maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Each year, over 500,000 women globally die from pregnancy and childbirth complications, with 99% occurring in developing countries. The maternal mortality rate in these countries was estimated at 276 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 – nearly twice the global average of 145 [11, 12]. The postpartum period, the first six to eight weeks after childbirth, carries significant health risks, accounting for more than half of pregnancy-related deaths [13-15].
Effective postpartum care significantly reduces these risks by managing complications promptly and addressing mental health concerns. However, many women in low-resource settings encounter substantial barriers to care, including economic obstacles, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and cultural factors limiting their autonomy in seeking healthcare [16-18]. A notable gap exists in understanding how to effectively implement postpartum interventions tailored to specific socio-cultural and structural contexts, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa [12, 19].
Improving postpartum care is essential not only for maternal health but also for newborn well-being, as maternal health directly impacts neonatal outcomes [12, 20]. Addressing postpartum care effectively requires targeted interventions, enhanced healthcare infrastructure, expanded community health initiatives, and increased political and financial commitments. Collaborative efforts involving local communities and stakeholders are vital for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in low-resource settings.
[1] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Pregnancy Complications. Retrieved January 17, 2025. From https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/staying-healthy-during-pregnancy/complications-of-pregnancy
[2] Moldenhauer, J.S. (2024). Management of Normal Labor. Merck Manual. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/labor-and-delivery/management-of-normal-labor
[3] The Mother Baby Center & Sachs, J. (2024, June 14). 37 postpartum essentials for every new and expecting family. The Mother Baby Center. https://www.themotherbabycenter.org/blog/2024/06/postpartum-essentials/
[4] Leung, H. (2023). Importance of Maternal Health: Ensuring Safe and Healthy Pregnancies for All Women. J Fertil In vitro IVF World w Reprod Med Genet Stem Cell Biol.11:298. https://www.longdom.org/open-access/importance-of-maternal-health-ensuring-safe-and-healthy-pregnancies-for-all-women-98699.html
[5] World Health Organization. (2023). Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth: progress report 2023. Geneva: World Health Organization. ISBN 978-92-4-007367-8. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073678
[6] PreEclampsia.org. (n.d.). Postpartum care for women with a history of pre-eclampsia. Retrieved February 18, 2025. From https://pre-eclampsia.org/postpartum-care-for-women-with-a-history-of-pre-eclampsia/
[7] Poye, L. (2023, February 28). What are the risk factors for preeclampsia? An updated research perspective.https://www.preeclampsia.org/the-news/health-information/what-are-the-risk-factors-for-preeclampsia-an-updated-research-perspective
[8] Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. (2024, May 9). Maternal mental health conditions: The most common complication of pregnancy and parenting.https://www.mmhla.org/articles/maternal-mental-health-conditions-the-most-common-complication-of-pregnancy-and-parenting
[9] Preeclampsia Foundation. (n.d.). Postpartum preeclampsia: Moms are still at risk after delivery. Retrieved February 18, 2025. From https://preeclampsia.org/postpartum-preeclampsia
[10] Byrant, A.S., Miller, R.S., Committee on Clinical Consensus-Obstetrics. (2021). Pharmacologic stepwise multimodal approach for postpartum pain management: ACOG clinical consensus no. 1. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 138(3):p 507-517. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000004517
[11] Sarikhani, Y., Najibi, S.M., Razavi, Z. (2024). Key barriers to the provision and utilization of maternal health services in low-and lower-middle-income countries; a scoping review. BMC Women's Health 24, 325. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03177-x
[12] Camara, B.S., Delamou, A., Grovogui, F.M. et al. (2021). Interventions to increase facility births and provision of postpartum care in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Reprod Health 18, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01072-4
[13] Adams, Y.J., Smith, B.A. (2018). Integrative Review of Factors That Affect the Use of Postpartum Care Services in Developing Countries. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 47(3):371-384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2018.02.006
[14] Dol, J., Hughes, B., Bonet, M., Dorey, R., Dorling, J., Grant, A., Langlois, E.V., Monaghan, J., Ollivier, R., Parker, R., Roos, N., Scott, H., Shin, H.D., Curran, J. (2022). Timing of maternal mortality and severe morbidity during the postpartum period: a systematic review. JBI Evid Synth. 1;20(9):2119-2194. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBIES-20-00578
[15] Saldanha, I.J., Adam, G.P., Kanaan, G., Zahradnik, M.L., Steele, D.W., Danilack, V.A., Peahl, A.F., Chen, K.K., Stuebe, A.M., Balk, E.M. (2023). Postpartum Care up to 1 Year After Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US). Report No.: AHRQ 23-EHC010. PMID: 37315166. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592630/
[16] Gresh, A. (2024, May 22). Strengthening Maternal and Child Health: Redefining and Reimagining Postpartum Care. Johns Hopkins Nursing. https://nursing.jhu.edu/magazine/articles/2024/05/strengthening-maternal-and-child-health-redefining-and-reimagining-postpartum-care/
[17] Adams, Y.J., Miller, M.L., Agbenyo, J.S. et al. (2023). Postpartum care needs assessment: women’s understanding of postpartum care, practices, barriers, and educational needs. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 23, 502. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05813-0
[18] Ahmed, S., Chase, L.E., Wagnild, J. et al. (2022). Community health workers and health equity in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and recommendations for policy and practice. Int J Equity Health 21, 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-021-01615-y
[19] Camara, B.S., Delamou, A., Grovogui, F.M. et al. (2021). Interventions to increase facility births and provision of postpartum care in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Reprod Health 18, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01072-4
[20] Tiruneh, G.T., Shiferaw, C.B., Worku, A. (2019). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of home-based postpartum care on neonatal mortality and exclusive breastfeeding practice in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 19, 507. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2651-6
GFCNI is the first global organization and network to unite patients, families, healthcare professionals,
medical staff, and scientists from different disciplines, fields,
and countries – all with the joint goal of advancing the health and quality of care for newborns and their families across the globe.
GFCNI is a non-profit organization established under German public law. Tax Reference Number: 143/235/22619
GFCNI
Hofmannstr 7a
Munich
Germany
© 2025 GFCNI. All Rights Reserved.
