In the United States, pregnant women receive significant medical attention. Regular medical check-ups, including blood tests and glucose monitoring, are common. As pregnancy progresses, the frequency of doctor’s visits increases from every four weeks, then biweekly, and finally weekly.
However, once childbirth occurs, the healthcare system often shifts its focus away from the mother. This experience is firsthand for Dr. Sejal Hathi, new mother and director of the Oregon Health Authority. A year following the birth of her daughter, Dr. Hathi still faces the challenges of physical recovery, including dealing with the aftermath of a third-degree tear and persistent abdominal issues.
Her obstetric specialist discharged her six weeks post-delivery, and the clinic struggled to accommodate new postpartum patients. Her primary care physician did not cover postpartum recovery. Dr. Hathi, despite her medical background and access to resources, found herself coordinating her care by identifying symptoms, contacting therapists, and managing referrals.
The current obstetric care model often views postpartum recovery as a mere extension of pregnancy with minimal follow-up, usually limited to a visit within six weeks after delivery. The reimbursement system supports this model by bundling prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care fees into one, even though the recovery period lasts much longer.
Starting next year, the American Medical Association plans to update billing practices, allowing providers to charge for individual aspects of care. This change might emphasize the existing issue: the lack of a dedicated clinician responsible for a mother’s extended recovery. In contrast, infants see a pediatrician multiple times in the first year. Mothers often depend on whether complications prompt them to seek further medical attention.
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