The postpartum appointment you might be missing

Over half of new mothers skip their checkups, often without realizing the risks. Let’s change that together.

We often prepare for birth with meticulous detail, from crafting a birth plan to packing the hospital bag. But what about the weeks and months after? Globally, postpartum care is one of the most overlooked stages of motherhood, even though it’s when women need support the most.

In the U.S., research shows that over half of new mothers miss their postpartum checkups. Similar patterns are emerging in New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Whether it’s a six-week OB visit, a midwife’s home check, or a doula’s follow-up, these moments of care are critical, yet they often slip through the cracks.

 

WHY ARE MOTHERS MISSING POSTPARTUM CARE?

The reasons are complex, but many of them are heartbreakingly practical:

Lack of childcare – hard to attend an appointment with a newborn and possibly older siblings.

Transportation barriers – not everyone has easy access to clinics or hospitals.

Cultural norms – in some countries, postpartum care is minimal or considered optional.

Misconceptions – many women believe if their baby is thriving, their own health can wait.

Emotional barriers – guilt about asking for help, or feeling like postpartum challenges are “just part of the job.”

The result? Too many women are left to navigate recovery alone, without the medical and emotional support they deserve.

WHAT SHOULD A GOOD POSTPARTUM CHECK-UP LOOK LIKE?

A truly supportive postpartum checkup should go far beyond a quick blood pressure reading and a quick check down-there. Ideally, it includes:

External physical recovery – assessing healing from birth or C-section, checking stitches, bleeding, and pain, as well as raising or development of keloid scarring.

Internal physical recovery – referrals to women’s health physios when needed for incontinence, prolapse symptoms, or abdominal separation (diastasis recti).

Mental wellbeing – screening for postpartum depression or anxiety, normalising conversations about sleep, mood, intrusive thoughts and identity shifts.

Breastfeeding or feeding support – ensuring comfort, addressing nipple pain, supply issues, or formula questions.

Relationship and lifestyle support – offering resources around intimacy, exercise, and returning to work.

In some countries, like France, mothers receive multiple home visits and even state-funded pelvic floor physio. In others, like the U.S., it may just be a single six-week visit. The gap is wide, and mothers often have to fill it themselves.

 

ADVOCATING FOR THE CARE YOU DESERVE

No matter where you live, you can (and should) ask for more. Here’s how:

Make it part of your birth plan – note that you’d like additional postpartum visits, whether from a midwife, OB, or doula.

Take up every offer – if your midwife or health nurse offers a home visit, say yes (even if you think you’re “fine”).

Ask specific questions – request checks for physical health, mental wellbeing, or breastfeeding support.

Lean on your support system – a partner, friend, or family member can help organize appointments or come with you.

Know that your recovery matters – healthy mothers mean healthier families. Prioritizing yourself is not selfish, it’s essential.

 

A GLOBAL CALL FOR CHANGE

The world needs to rethink postpartum care. New parents should never feel abandoned at the exact moment they need support the most. Whether it’s six weeks, six months, or beyond, postpartum is not a finish line, it’s the beginning of a new chapter.

Until the systems catch up, the most powerful step we can take is to advocate for ourselves, to remind healthcare providers that mothers’ health is just as important as babies’ health. Because when women are cared for, communities thrive.