VISION
Our vision is that postpartum care becomes a global standard of comprehensive, continuous support that ensures every woman, baby, and family emerges from extended postpartum physically healthy, mentally resilient, emotionally connected, and socially supported. We envision a world where postpartum wellbeing is recognized as essential to lifelong health, family stability, and societal prosperity.
MISSION
Our mission is to drive systemic review and reform of current postpartum standards, which fall critically short of meeting the full spectrum of mothers’, babies’, and families’ needs physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The global rise in preventable, life-altering postpartum outcomes underscores the urgent necessity of this work. We aim to ensure that postpartum care is no longer an afterthought, but a foundational pillar of maternal, child, and societal health worldwide.
Photo © Orsolya Elek www.orsolyaelek.com
Calls to Action
- Establish comprehensive continuity of clinical health care for postpartum women
- Establish standards for postpartum education for all healthcare professionals
- Recognize mental health as a priority
- Launch public awareness campaigns
- Establish local support networks
- Invest in incentives and support for review of maternity leave policies
- Invest in research
Why this Call to Action?
The postpartum period is a critical window for women’s health, yet it remains a blind spot in public health discussions. Societal norms and stigma surrounding mental health contribute to this neglect, leaving women without the support they need. Isolation, lack of recognition of the critical importance of this critical period, inadequate healthcare, and political, social, and economic invisibility have placed new mothers in a precarious zone. We must change that.
We demand a transformative shift in postpartum care that prioritizes maternal health and well-being, recognizing that the first year is critical for both mothers and their children, and ensuring that every mother receives continued comprehensive postpartum support.
Psychological Aspects
“Postpartum deaths, which include deaths between 1 day and 1 year after birth, represent more than half of all maternal deaths” (Spelke & Werner, 2018). This means that a mother dies every two minutes (WHO, 2025). Shockingly, “suicide accounts for up to 26% of maternal deaths” (Cresswell et al., 2025). This period is pivotal – it encompasses both positive and negative aspects of motherhood. While it can be a time of joy, the intense emotional and physical adjustments, coupled with sociocultural pressures, significantly increase vulnerability to mental health disorders. Postpartum Depression affects up to 20% of mothers and possibly many more, as it is believed that up to half of cases remain undiagnosed (Carlson et al. 2025). Importantly, recent findings reveal that social support is a significant protective factor for postpartum depression, and the variety of support-giving providers in a woman’s social network is important (Refaeili et al., 2024).
Physical Aspects
Physical health issues often persist or recur during the first 18 months postpartum, potentially leading to long-term consequences for women’s health (Woolhouse 2012). The most prevalent conditions include dyspareunia/ lasting or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex (35%), low back pain (32%), urinary incontinence (8–31%), anal incontinence (19%), perineal pain (11%), and secondary infertility (11%) (Vogel et al. 2024). Less common conditions resulting from labor and childbirth, which can still have significant effects on women’s health, include pelvic organ prolapse, thyroid dysfunction, nerve injury, and venous thromboembolism. Such challenges can also carry effects into later life stages for women, including impacts on menopause and overall quality of life. As emphasized in research, “these conditions are not mainstream in the global agenda or national health action plans of many countries,” leading to a neglect of postpartum care (Vogel et al., 2024). Adequate postpartum care can significantly improve these outcomes by addressing physical health issues early, providing education and support for recovery, and ensuring access to necessary treatments, ultimately enhancing women’s overall well-being and quality of life in the postpartum period and beyond.
Social Aspects
The effects of postpartum challenges extend beyond individual mothers; they can disrupt family dynamics, potentially leading to difficulties in relationships and family cohesion. Recent research indicates that social support significantly improves postpartum outcomes (see Position Paper, Postnatal Support Network, 2024). Dr. Mercedes Bonet, Medical Officer with WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research and the UN Special Programme, HRP, emphasizes the importance of dedicated postnatal services that deliver essential physical and mental health support (WHO, 2022). This Call to Action aims to establish a universal standard for maternal care, advocate for policy changes, foster a cultural shift, engage all stakeholders, and develop resources to enhance postpartum support.
We demand a transformative shift in postpartum care that prioritizes maternal health and well-being, recognizing that the first year is critical for both mothers and their children, and ensuring that every mother receives continued comprehensive postpartum support.
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Disclaimer
We recognize that gender awareness and inclusivity are essential components of effective postpartum care, ensuring that the unique needs of all parents, regardless of gender identity or cultural background, are acknowledged and addressed in a compassionate and equitable manner. While we refer to mothers and breastfeeding throughout the document, we respect all alternative wordings and understandings.
How to Use the Call to Action
For Policy Makers
1. Review the Evidence
2. Advocate for Policy Changes
3. Engage Stakeholder
4. Develop Training Programs
5. Monitor Outcomes
For Practitioners
1. Integrate Best Practices
2. Educate Patients
3. Build a Support Network
4. Listen and Respond
5. Advocate for Resources
For Parents
1. Educate Yourself
2. Seek Support
3. Communicate Openly
4. Utilize Available Resources
5. Participate in Advocacy
Endorsements
