Postpartum Misconceptions in the US
One of the most misunderstood aspects of postpartum care in the U.S. is the belief that it’s a luxury—that new mothers can simply “push through” without support. When families ask how long postpartum care should last, I often recommend 10 to 12 weeks for meaningful impact, though support at any length is valuable.
The reality is that postpartum recovery is long, layered, and full of potential challenges:
Immediate postpartum (first 6–8 weeks): The body is healing rapidly, rest is critical, hormones and brain chemistry are fluctuating intensely, and muscle strength and metabolism have been changed in pregnancy.
Extended postpartum (3 months to 1 year): Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, emotional adjustment, neurological changes, and physical recovery are still very much underway.
Whole-mother postpartum (up to two years): Many cultures recognize that it can take 18–24 months for a mother’s body, nervous system, and identity to fully recalibrate—and postpartum mood disorders can emerge at any point during this time.
These complex processes are unfolding while many U.S. mothers are isolated, pressured to return to demanding schedules, and expected to appear “back to normal” far too quickly. It’s no surprise that we are facing a maternal mental health crisis.
At Coastal Doulas, I work to shift this narrative. I encourage families to plan for postpartum care as intentionally as they plan for birth—including adding cash funds for doula and meal support to their baby registries. I also advocate for broader access by lobbying for doula coverage through employer benefits and health insurance, and by supporting legislation to extend paid maternity leave and improve maternal health outcomes through organizations like The Chamber of Mothers.
Recently, companies including Microsoft, PNC Bank, Salesforce, Target, Walmart, and CVS have added doula coverage/reimbursement to their employee benefit plans and employer can offer doula coverage when opting into programs made available by United Health Care, Emblem Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Carrot, Cleo, Maven Clinic, and Progyny.
To make care more accessible locally, I’m working to expand Coastal Doulas into a team-based practice to serve more families across Fairfield County. For families paying out of pocket, I also offer sliding-scale options, because postpartum support should be seen as essential care—not a splurge.
