Addressing the Gaps in Postpartum Care

Dr. Sejal Hathi, known for her roles as a new mother, physician, and director of the Oregon Health Authority, highlights an often-overlooked aspect of maternal health: postpartum care. In the U.S., pregnant women receive extensive medical monitoring, including regular checkups and various health metrics. However, once the baby is born, this attention diminishes significantly.

Dr. Hathi shares her personal experience one year after her daughter’s birth. Despite her background in healthcare, she continues to navigate a body altered by childbirth. The challenges she faced include severe tearing, incontinence, and separated abdominal muscles, making everyday tasks difficult.

Post-birth, Dr. Hathi found herself without a clear healthcare path. Her obstetric provider discharged her six weeks postpartum, and the general OB clinic could not accommodate new patients. With postpartum recovery outside her primary care physician’s expertise, she was left to manage on her own, coordinating between specialists and self-researching symptoms.

Dr. Hathi’s story underscores a systemic issue. Currently, postpartum recovery is viewed as a short extension of pregnancy. The reimbursement system supports this by bundling pregnancy, delivery, and immediate postpartum care into one fee, despite recovery requiring longer, ongoing support.

From the next year, the American Medical Association plans to change this billing approach. Providers will be able to charge for separate elements of care. However, this may exacerbate existing issues, as no single provider takes responsibility for the mother’s recovery beyond the initial weeks. While babies receive regular pediatric checkups during their first year, mothers only see a doctor if complications arise.