Part of a
While every postpartum journey is different, the one common denominator is that
But in the U.S., women often manage this stage largely on their own, which can take a toll on their health and
In the weeks and months after giving birth, mothers benefit from a combination of medical and non-medical support, which can include checkups with an OBGYN or primary care provider, guidance on sleep, feeding, self care, emotional and psychological support and more. While a network of family and friends can be invaluable during this time,
Without proper support, mothers have an increased risk of a variety of health issues, such as anxiety, postpartum depression and physical complications. Yet, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reports that up to 40% of women do not even attend a postpartum visit.
In a survey of mothers conducted by postpartum care company Boram Care, the majority of respondents said postpartum recovery was more difficult than expected, and 79% significantly or moderately underestimated the importance of postpartum recovery before going through it. Sleep deprivation, physical recovery and mental health struggles were the main challenges reported.
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Major room for improvement
USofCare.org reports that only 37% of companies with 500 or more employees provide at least one benefit geared toward maternal health. This lack of forethought could result in large talent loss: Research from fertility and family-building platform Carrot shows that 45% of mothers have seriously considered leaving their job after their most recent pregnancy and 47% looked for job options with better support during the return-to-work process. For Gen Z moms, these numbers spike to 62% and 64%, respectively.
For Boram Care cofounder Boram Nam, a difficult postpartum experience after each of her two children was born inspired her to start the company. With her family all in South Korea, no advice on follow-up care provided in the hospital, and in the process of building a business with her husband at the same time, she felt unprepared and overwhelmed, resulting in postpartum depression after the birth of her second child, now 11.
"I didn't have my supporting village, and my postpartum recovery journey was really challenging," she says. "I consider myself educated with access to consistent information, but I did not know about the existence of doulas. No [lactation consultant] at the hospital even popped by in my recovery room after giving birth both times."
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Boram says this was a marked difference from her friends living abroad, pointing to striking disparities in the post-birth experience.
"My friends who were giving birth around the same time in Korea were all checking into postpartum retreats," she says. "I was mad — I had considered New York as one of the best cities in the world, and there was nothing remotely close to what my friends were describing."
In her home country, women and their babies can stay in facilities called "sanhujoriwon," specifically designed to support all areas of their wellness and recovery while providing comprehensive newborn care. Three out of four women opt for this level of care after they give birth, and a government supplement is available to help cover the cost, Nam says.
With this level of care in mind, Boram launched in 2022 as a retreat for mothers and their newborns, and has since transitioned to postpartum support in the home. Parents can book any of its packages within the first three months after birth, including daytime and overnight services with postpartum professionals in areas of non-medical newborn, maternal and family care, from feeding and bathing to physical and emotional care to sibling bonding.
All clients can seek authorization and reimbursement for services from their insurance, with which Boram provides free help, and employers can offer Boram's services at a completely covered or discounted rate.
"We are building a scalable model that can support more moms [with] structured, evidence- based, individualized postpartum care directly in their homes," Nam says. "Time is the most expensive currency, and that is something we invest in mothers. Overall, during that immediate postpartum recovery period, you are supported and you have a smoother transition to parenthood."
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What more support looks like
When someone is about to go on parental leave, it's an opportunity for an employer to make that employee feel valued by educating them on supportive company policies and resources, Nam says. Taking the time to go over available offerings that contribute to their and their family's well-being can help them set up a village of support, she adds.
"Walking them through how they can use their time wisely to build their plan and prioritize wellness will not only increase their self appreciation, but their appreciation for the employer," says Nam. "Benefit managers are the ones who can really open the gate, organize this information and make a recommendation."
Nam emphasizes the need for holistic employer support, which includes allowing new parents to take time off with no fear of negative repercussions. Any benefits and other resources designed for postpartum care should be communicated to fathers, too — it should be a focus on the whole family, she says.
With higher demand for maternal care among younger employees, companies can set themselves apart by making associated benefits a priority. As more progress is made in the postpartum support space, Nam's hope is that this phase of care becomes commonplace not just in the workplace, but society as a whole.
"A wave of great players are coming in, including us, that will definitely help build the infrastructure and really increase the awareness," she says. "It could be government policies with paid leave insurance coverage so that we can also increase the amount that could be allocated for postpartum support. What can we do to support the next generations? You can start by [thinking of support] as a necessity."
For more on how to support employees throughout their fertility and prenatal, birth, and postpartum experiences, listen to EBN's award-winning podcast season,
