Maternal Health Guide: Your Own Postpartum Care Plan

"The baby has a paediatrician, a schedule, and a development plan. I have a six-week checkup and a leaflet."

Who it's for — mothers who noticed that all the monitoring went to the baby, and want a care plan of their own.

The problem — postnatal healthcare is built around the infant. The birthing parent gets one appointment and is then assumed fine.

What's inside — the checks worth asking for, symptoms that warrant escalation, and a self-directed plan across pelvic floor, mood, nutrition and sleep.

The transformation — from being an afterthought in your own recovery to having a plan and the language to ask for it.

What to ask for that is not routinely offered

• Pelvic floor assessment. Standard in some countries, rarely offered in the US. Leaking is common but not something you have to accept.
• Diastasis recti check. Simple to perform, seldom done.
• Thyroid screening. Postpartum thyroiditis affects a meaningful minority and its symptoms are routinely mistaken for normal tiredness.
• Iron and ferritin. Especially after significant blood loss. Low ferritin mimics depression.
• Mood screening beyond week six. Onset can occur any time in the first year.

Who this guide is not for

It is not a substitute for medical care and it does not diagnose. It is a guide to advocating for yourself within a system that will not volunteer these things.

Format and delivery

• Format: PDF, fully designed
• Delivery: instant download by email at checkout
• Devices: any phone, tablet, laptop or e-reader
• Printing: prints cleanly on A4 and US Letter

Frequently asked questions

Is it too late if I am already a year postpartum?
No. Pelvic floor rehabilitation and nutrient repletion work well beyond the first year.

Is leaking after birth normal?
Common, but not something you simply have to live with. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is effective and under-referred.

How do I raise this if I feel dismissed?
The guide includes specific phrasing for appointments, which is often what makes the difference.

Related guides

See all postpartum recovery guides and Postpartum Recovery: Months 3 to 12.

Educational only, and not a substitute for medical care. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, fever, severe headache, chest pain, calf pain or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. In crisis in the US, call or text 988.