By Lissa Kline, LCSW, SVP, Member and Provider Experience, Progyny
Nine months of pregnancy build up to the delivery, the climax of a long period of anticipation, change, and growth. With so much focus on conceiving, then fetal development, weekly physical changes, and regular prenatal visits, 40 weeks starts to look a lot like the finish line. On the contrary, maternal care is only just beginning!
With the challenges and uncertainties the “fourth trimester” can bring, it’s essential that women receive physical, mental, and emotional support during this monumental transition. Postpartum care is a necessary extension of prenatal care, serving to support women’s bodily and mental health needs and grow their confidence through recovery.
In the U.S., one in every six dollars of employer spend on inpatient healthcare goes toward maternity services, and a single pregnancy episode (prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care) in the employer-sponsored insurance population costs on average about $25k per pregnancy, underscoring the importance of comprehensive postpartum care. Supporting birthing parents before, during, and after delivery improves maternal health and wellbeing and drives stronger outcomes like lower costs and reduced complications. And focusing on foundational, long-term health enables a more supported workforce.
Postpartum specialty support
In those first few months postpartum, women may experience both physical and mental health challenges. Physical recovery is compromised by complications such as infection, hypertension, or challenges with healing and breastfeeding, while about one in five experience a mental health disorder like postpartum depression or anxiety.
A trusted community is critical for empowering mothers with both clinical support and postpartum education.
Progyny anchors care in continuity and trust with a dedicated nurse Progyny Care Advocate (PCA), who has experience in labor and delivery and postpartum, for each member. The relationship provides personalized, one-on-one, ongoing monthly support for members through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond, guiding navigation and education about treatment, providers, and benefits. Members don’t have to retell their story—their PCA knows it, knows them, bringing both comfort and empowerment.
OBs and midwives
Members have options for OBs and midwives, which they select based on pregnancy risks, personal preference, hospital affiliation, or other factors. Postpartum, these providers monitor for preeclampsia and other health risks, as well as provide emotional support and information about contraception. Most importantly, these long-term providers listen, take concerns seriously, and explain things in a clear way to facilitate educated decision-making, ensuring mom and baby are healthy and getting the clinical support they need.
Doulas
Doulas provide additional support to postpartum moms, offering non-clinical guidance through regular check-ins via telehealth or in-person care. They offer newborn or maternal education, benefits and system navigation, and next steps on the care journey including postpartum visits. Doula care is associated with decreased rates of preterm births, C-sections, and postpartum depression. In fact, outcomes improvement has been so significant, a major insurance company just added a nationwide doula benefit, with plans to make access widespread for all its employer-sponsored plans in 2027.
Lactation consultants
Lactation consultants (IBCLCs) are also vital members of the postpartum care team, supporting and educating mothers on what I often see to be an emotionally charged journey. From initial instruction on latch, pumping, or supply issues, to returning to work and introducing formula or solid foods, these feeding experts are trained to collaborate with team members and support what is best for each mother. IBCLCs support breastfeeding goals, and new parents are relieved to discover that they also support reality. Whether it’s exclusive breastfeeding, combination feeding, or formula, the priority is ensuring parents are informed and feel confident in their decision-making.
Mental health matters
With the postpartum period’s major hormonal, emotional, and social shifts, mental health support from the care village is just as important as the physical recovery. In the U.S., approximately 85% of those affected by maternal depression during the postpartum period don’t get treated. This huge gap underscores why screening—and integrated care pathways that proactively connect members to support—is critical to improving outcomes.
Instead of treating mental health like something that “goes wrong,” Progyny believes in routine screenings built into the program structure. By removing the stigma, we don’t force anyone to raise her hand or remain in the untreated majority. One of our members was recently struggling, and a PCA assessment right away identified postpartum depression. Thankfully, because of this proactive screening and warm transfer to the appropriate care, she got the help she needed quickly. We can influence outcomes by addressing challenges before they escalate. By ensuring members feel cared for and supported clinically, mentally, and emotionally, a positive postpartum experience and stronger foundation for long-term family health becomes possible.
The team approach
While each care team member addresses a different aspect of postpartum health and recovery, the collaborative, cohesive nature of the village helps moms feel thoroughly cared for. Each specialty is connected and communicating, while listening to the patient at the center. The goal is for mother and baby to be healthy, and for members to be empowered to advocate for their evolving needs in the months after birth.
The entire postpartum experience is smoother when the birthing parent’s physical, mental, and emotional needs are integrated in the greater context of health and well-being. Progyny’s approach aligns not only pre-conception, prenatal, postpartum, and menopause care, it takes into context each member’s unique experience in the broader healthcare benefits ecosystem. In a crowded landscape of disparate care services and apps, we remain committed to supporting members through evidence-based, compassionate care—and helping members, providers, and employers navigate the incredibly meaningful time following the baby’s arrival.
For more information, view our webinar on postpartum care.