Postpartum Wellbeing: Gaps, Challenges, and Innovations in Reproductive Health Care

The postpartum period, often referred to as the “fourth trimester”, remains one of the most overlooked phases of the reproductive health continuum. Despite significant progress in antenatal and intrapartum care, postpartum wellbeing receives limited attention in both clinical practice and research. Yet, many maternal morbidities, such as depression, anxiety, infections, breastfeeding difficulties, pelvic floor problems, and birth-related trauma, are most prominent in the weeks and months following childbirth.Many women go through this period with little guidance and fragmented support. Strengthening postpartum care can reduce long-term morbidity, improve breastfeeding outcomes and maternal mental health - benefits that extend to infants, families and communities.This Research Topic aims to highlight an area that has been overshadowed by antenatal and delivery care. It aims to highlight focused, evidence-based work that examines postpartum wellbeing through clinical, psychological, social, and health-system lenses.The findings and discussions coming out from this collection may guide health systems, clinicians and policymakers in designing better, more practical and woman-centered postpartum care models.We invite contributions that explore the unique challenges of the postpartum period and solutions that address them in order to improve maternal recovery and long-term health outcomes. We welcome submissions from a variety of disciplines including: • Obstetrics and gynecology • Nursing and midwifery• Psychology• Social sciences• Public health• Health policyWe are particularly interested in studies that:• Identify gaps in detecting postpartum morbidities (e.g., depression, anemia, pelvic floor disorders)• Evaluate or propose innovative models of postpartum care like digital tools, home-based support, peer support groups, and hybrid models.• Assess breastfeeding and lactation-related challenges and identify novel ways to strengthen support• Explore postpartum nutrition and recovery practices (including culturally grounded traditions)• Analyze family, partner, and community influences on maternal wellbeing• Study respectful postpartum care and women’s experiences within health facilities• Examine integration of mental health screening into routine postnatal services• Develop or adapt tools for measuring postpartum wellbeing in different contexts• Document system-level strategies to improve postpartum continuity of care Topic editors: Dr. Ruchi Juyal, SHOBIT GARG, Dr Richa Sinha Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76870/postpartum-wellbeing-gaps-challenges-and-innovations-in-reproductive-health-care