This is number 4 of a 10-part series on how Atracare helps patients achieve lasting health through preventative care, holistic wellness, and accessible healthcare. Covering everything from pediatrics to primary care, mental health, and urgent care, Atracare supports Sussex County at every stage of life.

Presented in collaboration with Delaware Beaches Online and Atracare.

Postpartum Care: A Critical Window for Maternal Health

Postpartum care isn’t just a recovery phase; it’s essential for long-term health. Yet, nearly 40% of U.S. women skip vital postpartum visits. Comprehensive care, especially services like Atracare’s lactation support, plays a pivotal role in a mother’s recovery. Here’s a closer look at the key components of effective postpartum care and why it matters.

Revised Postpartum Care: Timing Matters

• Multi-visit Approach: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) now recommends multiple check-ups within the first 12 weeks, beginning within three weeks of delivery and continuing through to a full evaluation at 12 weeks.
• Why It’s Important: This approach ensures that no physical or emotional concern is missed during the critical recovery phase.

Source: Postpartum Care of the New Mother

Breastfeeding Support: Essential for Both Mother and Baby

• Health Benefits: Breastfeeding reduces the risk of several health issues for mothers, such as breast cancer and type 2 diabetes. For babies, it lowers the likelihood of infections, eczema, and certain cancers.
• Challenges: Issues like latch problems and low milk supply are common but manageable with the right support.
• Atracare’s Lactation Support: Atracare offers personalized lactation consulting, helping mothers tackle breastfeeding challenges with support from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). In-person and virtual consultations are available to empower mothers with confidence.

Optimizing Postpartum Care: A Comprehensive Approach

The weeks following childbirth are crucial for both a mother’s and her infant’s long-term health. Optimizing postpartum care involves shifting from a single visit to an ongoing process tailored to the unique needs of each woman. In the pursuit of better maternal health, a comprehensive approach to postpartum care is essential, ensuring continued care well beyond the traditional 6-week checkup.

The Presidential Task Force’s Recommendations

The Presidential Task Force on Redefining the Postpartum Visit emphasizes that care should be personalized, addressing physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. They recommend that all women engage with an obstetric care provider within the first 3 weeks postpartum, with a follow-up comprehensive visit by 12 weeks. This visit should cover areas like mood, emotional well-being, chronic disease management, and infant care, offering crucial support during this transformative period.

Key Recommendations for Postpartum Care

• Contact within 3 weeks: Women should have an initial postpartum assessment within the first 3 weeks to address urgent concerns.
• Comprehensive Visit: A thorough visit no later than 12 weeks should address physical recovery, emotional health, family planning, and more.
• Reproductive Life Planning: Discuss future pregnancy desires and appropriate contraceptive options as part of postpartum planning.
• Chronic Health Management: Women with existing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or obesity should follow up for ongoing care coordination.

Addressing Postpartum Health Challenges

Many women experience challenges such as fatigue, breastfeeding difficulties, and mental health issues during the postpartum period. To combat these challenges, health care providers must be proactive in offering anticipatory guidance before birth and ensuring ongoing support after. Early interventions, like home visits or phone consultations, can significantly improve maternal well-being and increase breastfeeding success rates.

Moving Beyond the 6-Week Visit

The traditional 6-week postpartum visit is not sufficient for many women. It is essential to shift towards a more flexible, individualized approach to postpartum care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stresses that policies should support this shift, with better access to care and resources for all women, especially those in underserved communities.

The Comprehensive Postpartum Visit: What It Should Include

• Mood and Emotional Well-Being: Screen for depression and anxiety, offer counseling and mental health support.
• Infant Care and Feeding: Assess confidence in infant care and breastfeeding, and provide advice on feeding methods, including guidance on legal rights if returning to work.
• Sexuality, Contraception, and Birth Spacing: Discuss sexual health, contraception options, and planning for future pregnancies.
• Physical Recovery: Ensure the mother is recovering well from childbirth, addressing any concerns like pain or complications.
• Chronic Disease Management: Ensure continuity of care for chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes.

Ensuring Continued Support

Postpartum care should be more than just a visit; it is a continuous journey of support and healing. It is essential that healthcare providers and policymakers work together to ensure that all women receive the care they need, tailored to their specific circumstances, and extended beyond the traditional postpartum checkup.

Source: Optimizing Postpartum Care

Why Choose Atracare?

• Comprehensive Approach: Atracare offers holistic postpartum care, including expert lactation support, family planning services, and emotional wellness support.
• Accessible and Affordable: With some of the highest-quality healthcare in Sussex County, Atracare ensures that care is both accessible and affordable. Atracare accepts all major insurances and offers transparent pricing for self-pay patients (Insurance Information / Self-pay Pricing).
• Convenience: Atracare offers telehealth appointments, allowing you to manage your postpartum care from home. Reach out via text at 302-517-1385 to schedule your appointment.

Take the First Step in Your Postpartum Journey

Postpartum care is a shared responsibility between mothers, families, and healthcare providers. With Atracare’s comprehensive postpartum services, new mothers can confidently navigate this crucial phase. Whether you’re a new mother looking for lactation support, or an existing patient seeking continued care, Atracare is here to support you 365 days a year!

Visit Atracare’s website to learn more about postpartum care or to schedule an appointment. Start your journey toward better health today!

Up next: How to Set Your 2025 Mental Health New Year’s Resolutions: A Guide to Achieving Well-Being. Learn how to set realistic goals, build sustainable habits, and prioritize mental health for a healthier and happier year ahead.

Read: “How to Set Your 2025 Mental Health New Year’s Resolutions: A Guide to Achieving Well-Being”