Why the Norms Need to Change Regarding Postpartum Check-Ups with OB/GYNs: Increasing Support, Community, and the Number of Visits

By Alysha Hauck, RN, BSN

Introduction

The standard postpartum care model in the United States was not designed to meet the complex emotional, physical, and psychological needs of new parents. Even using standardized tools, like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), can fail to identify postpartum depression (PPD), postpartum anxiety, and other conditions that can emerge or intensify far beyond when a mother is “cleared” at the six-week appointment. Countless mothers move through one of the most vulnerable phases of their lives with inadequate support and limited follow-up, as if their recovery should be complete by the time their baby reaches a month and a half old.

Postpartum recovery is not a six-week event, but rather a yearlong, or longer, process. An ideal OB/GYN postpartum model could, instead, potentially offer a comprehensive, sustained system of care: integrated lactation support, pelvic floor therapy, supportive check-ins that continue throughout the first year, and a network of community groups that ensure no parent is left to navigate early motherhood alone. Reimagining postpartum care is not just an upgrade—it’s a necessary shift toward actually supporting mothers rather than expecting them to simply “bounce back” in silence.

What do postpartum OB/GYN check-ups look like right now?

After childbirth, most women receive only a brief two-week check—when offered—and a single six-week appointment where they are typically told they are “cleared,” marking the end of routine follow-up care. During these visits, they often complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a standard tool used to screen for perinatal mood disorders. Aside from this quick screening and minimal check-ins, ongoing support is rarely provided, leaving many mothers without the continuous care they truly need during such a vulnerable time.

Why is the current norm failing mothers?

The current norms of postpartum OB/GYN care are failing to meet the real needs of new mothers. This limited timeline assumes that postpartum recovery fits neatly into a six-week box. Emotional and physical challenges often emerge much later. Or the type of support mothers need is not met by the current practices in place.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), while widely used, may not identify every case of postpartum depression. Mothers may downplay their symptoms to avoid stigma or because they themselves mistake their distress for “normal baby blues.” After that final six-week appointment, there are no structured opportunities for providers to catch new onset or worsening symptoms, causing many mothers to slip through the cracks entirely.

Additionally, the current system often overlooks the human side of postpartum care. Many women crave compassionate, ongoing support that acknowledges the universal challenges of early motherhood—not just clinical checklists, screenings, and clearance notes. Postpartum is inherently demanding, and every mother deserves accessible, meaningful social support and a strong community during this vulnerable time, without needing to prove she is “struggling enough” to receive it.

What could an ideal postpartum OB/GYN care model look like?

An ideal postpartum OB/GYN care model could offer a full year of structured, compassionate support designed to meet the diverse needs of every mother. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, mothers would be connected with essential services from the start. These services should include lactation support, pelvic floor physical therapy arranged as a standard part of recovery, and a series of follow-up appointments that extend throughout the entire first year after childbirth.

In-clinic care could be supplemented with virtual check-ins from trained support staff who can provide emotional encouragement, help troubleshoot feeding or sleep challenges, identify early signs of postpartum mood disorders, and offer timely referrals when needed.

Mothers could also be linked to community-based mom groups—both in-person and virtual—to create built-in social support during a time that can feel uniquely isolating.

Studies show that strong social support is correlated with lower rates of postpartum depression (PPD). When mothers feel emotionally supported, connected, and understood, their risk of developing PPD decreases significantly. This highlights the importance of building a reliable support network during the postpartum period.

In this model, postpartum care becomes an ongoing partnership rather than a brief medical checkpoint, acknowledging that every mother deserves sustained, accessible, and judgment-free support.

Conclusion

The truth of the matter is that childbearing simply does not receive the level of care and attention it requires. While pregnancy is marked by frequent appointments and close monitoring, the postpartum period—arguably one of the most physically and emotionally demanding phases of a woman’s life—receives only a fraction of that support. The bulk of professional involvement occurs during major moments: the delivery itself, emergencies or serious medical complications, or when postpartum depression is so evident that intervention becomes unavoidable. Outside of these scenarios, mothers are often left largely on their own, expected to heal, adjust, and function as if they haven’t just undergone one of the most transformative and exhausting experiences a human body and mind can endure.

Postpartum is not a brief add-on to childbirth, but rather a complex, extended phase that demands care in its own right. Without support, mothers struggle silently, normalize suffering, and often don’t receive help until their challenges have grown into full-blown postpartum depression or anxiety.

The evidence is clear: when mothers feel supported, connected, and cared for, their emotional and physical health outcomes improve. So instead of waiting for PPD or PPA to surface—often after significant distress—why not invest in front-loaded support to help prevent these conditions altogether? By offering ongoing mental health check-ins, building automatic connections to lactation and pelvic floor specialists, and creating easy access to community and virtual support networks, we could transform postpartum care from reactive to proactive.

Mothers deserve more than a system that steps in only when a crisis hits. They deserve a model of care that recognizes postpartum recovery as a long-term process and supports them consistently throughout it—a model that treats their well-being as essential, not optional. Front-loading support isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Call to Action: What can mothers do?

Transforming the norms of postpartum care will ultimately require policy change, both within the medical community and at the state level. OB/GYNs would need to shift their mindset toward a more holistic understanding of postpartum recovery. Policymakers would need to implement frameworks that make extended, comprehensive support the standard rather than the exception.

While some private organizations already recognize the gaps in postpartum care and offer valuable resources within their communities, these efforts alone cannot fix a system-wide issue. Until policy evolves, mothers can advocate for themselves by asking their OB/GYNs about available postpartum support programs. If that leads nowhere, turn to local organizations or community groups that offer social, emotional, or educational support.

Mothers should treat postpartum recovery with the same seriousness as recovering from major surgery—by creating a robust plan involving trusted support people for help. This help can come in the form of prepared meals, household tasks, emotional check-ins, and ongoing communication. In many cases, this may also mean seeking out local mom groups, including those on social media, to build a network of encouragement and shared experience.

About the Author

Alysha Hauck, RN, BSN

Alysha Hauck, RN, BSN, began her career as a newborn hearing screener at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley, CA, and Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA. She saw families in their immediate postpartum period. Alysha was intrigued by the different family dynamics surrounding such an important event. She knew she wanted to become a registered nurse. While working on nursing prerequisites, Alysha worked as an EMT in Los Angeles for six years. She graduated from the University of Colorado’s Accelerated BSN program in 2020 and began her career as a registered nurse. It was in her own postpartum that she discovered the pressure this period puts on one’s mental health and the value of support and a healthy home environment. Alysha is passionate about being a helping hand in this journey to raise awareness and change the narrative surrounding motherhood.

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