Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The weeks following the birth of a baby are often described as a time of extremes: profound joy paired with deep exhaustion, vulnerability, and adjustment. For birthing people, this period involves physical recovery from childbirth, dramatic hormonal shifts, disrupted sleep, learning to feed and care for an infant, and navigating major emotional changes. While some new parents have strong support systems, others face isolation, housing instability, or unsafe home environments. This critical 12-week period after birth is now widely known as the “fourth trimester.” Although the language is new, the reality is not. Across cultures and history, the postpartum period has been recognized as a time requiring focused care for both mother and baby. Yet within the U.S. medical system, postpartum support remains strikingly limited.
Author: Hawes, Susy
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7164103960