Majorities of U.S. women agree - there isn't enough focus on postpartum healthcare for mothers, they are often forgotten once baby arrives
Rhea-AI Summary
A new survey by Stagwell's The Harris Poll reveals significant gaps in postpartum maternal health education and support in the U.S. Key findings include:
- 40% of women who have been pregnant received insufficient or no information on breastfeeding from healthcare providers
- 53% of women who have been pregnant did not receive enough or any information on postpartum depression
- 24% of women rate their postpartum care as less than adequate
- 74% of women agree there isn't enough focus on postpartum healthcare for mothers
- 64% feel mothers are often forgotten once the baby arrives
- 73% consider maternity leave provided by most U.S. employers insufficient
- 58% believe paid maternity leave should be at least 12 weeks
The survey highlights the critical need for improved postpartum support, education, and policy changes to better support mothers and their children.
Positive
- Survey raises awareness about critical gaps in postpartum maternal health education and support
- Highlights the need for improved healthcare services and policies for mothers
Negative
- No direct business impact or financial data provided for Stagwell (STGW)
- Survey results indicate potential reputational risks for healthcare providers and employers
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New Survey by Stagwell (STGW)'s The Harris Poll Highlights Critical Gaps in Postpartum Maternal Health Education and Support in the
Two in 5 women who have been pregnant (
"These statistics are not just numbers; they represent the real struggles of mothers nationwide, including myself, who feel neglected by the systems meant to support them," expressed Christina Lojek, Research Manager at The Harris Poll. "Fueled by my own experiences, I chose to lead this study, and it solidifies how imperative it is that we improve postpartum support and education for mothers, who are clearly asking for and deserving of much better care."
Lack of education on postpartum depression is even more distressing given how much more widespread this health issue is becoming. About 1 in 8 women who are currently pregnant or have been pregnant (
The need for better postpartum care, in general, is also evident. Roughly 1 in 4 women who have been pregnant (
Another significant way that women are being neglected postpartum is the lack of federal maternity leave in the
The weeks and months after giving birth are crucial to both mother and baby, not only to give them time to bond, but to allow mothers to recover and focus on caring for and nourishing their babies. When specifically looking at breastfeeding, the benefits are widespread, from aiding with bonding, to protecting both mother and baby from various health risks. Furthermore, according to a study published by HHS, there is a direct correlation between length of maternity leave and breastfeeding initiation and prolonged duration. Yet, current
Shockingly, almost two thirds of women (
At the start of World Breastfeeding week, these findings are even more concerning and paint a dire picture of the critical need for comprehensive educational programs, substantial policy changes, and a stronger support system for mothers during and after pregnancy. This is a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in maternal healthcare to strengthen support structures and ensure mothers receive the care and information they need to safeguard the health and well-being of both mothers and their children.
If you or someone you know are currently pregnant or plan to be pregnant in the future, please consider checking out the below resources/information to better support that journey.
- To better support your breastfeeding journey:
- Reach out to your insurance company before giving birth to understand lactation support benefits, in-network lactation consultants, and to find out how to get a free breast pump
- Work with a lactation specialist after delivering (the hospital has them on staff), and/or consider seeing one in the weeks after giving birth
- Check with your HCP/delivering hospital about local breastfeeding cafes, which provide peer support and are often led by a lactation specialist
- To ensure you are getting the maximum allowed leave time if you are employed, ask your employer about their maternity leave policy and how it works in conjunction with state disability and/or state paid family leave
- To better support your mental health during and after pregnancy, ask your healthcare provider(s) about signs of depression/PPD and anxiety/PPA to look out for and resources to help manage these issues
Survey Method:
The 2024 State of Maternal Health survey was conducted online in the
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the
Contact:
Christina Lojek
christina.lojek@harrispoll.com
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc.