Postpartum Care: What's Normal, What's Not, and Where to Get Help
Breaking the Silence: Why Postpartum Care Falls Through the Cracks
The postpartum period is one of the most physically and emotionally intense transitions in a mother's life—yet it's also when medical support drops off dramatically. Gabrielle Sylk CEO of Bumpdate and Alex Stried CEO and Co-Founder of Poppins sat down with Dr. Mona Amin, practicing pediatrician, IBCLC, and healthcare startup advisor with expertise in maternal and child health, to discuss the gap in postpartum care and why so many new mothers feel isolated with their concerns.
What you'll learn:
- Common physical and emotional symptoms that are actually normal
- Why medical support disappears after delivery
- Red flag symptoms that require immediate attention
- Resources for mothers who feel too afraid to speak up
Whether you're navigating your first weeks postpartum or supporting someone who is, Dr. Mona's insights can help you understand what's normal, what's not, and where to turn for help.
What's Actually Normal (Even When It Feels Anything But)
Gabrielle: Dr. Mona, let's start with something we hear constantly from our Bumpdate community—new moms who are experiencing symptoms that feel alarming but are too afraid to mention them to their doctors. What are the most common physical and emotional symptoms that mothers mistakenly think are "abnormal"?
Dr. Mona: In those first six weeks, so many things are happening in a mother's body and mind that are completely normal but can feel alarming. Physically, it's common to have vaginal bleeding that tapers over time, breast engorgement or leaking, pelvic heaviness, and even urinary leaks when you sneeze or laugh. Night sweats and hot flashes are also very typical because of hormone shifts, but many women mistake them for something being wrong.
Emotionally, the big one we see is the "postpartum blues." About 70–80% of new moms experience this—crying spells, irritability, feeling overwhelmed, or anxious—usually peaking around day 5 and improving within two weeks. It's not the same as postpartum depression, but because we don't talk about it enough, many moms feel ashamed or try to hide it.
On top of that, it's common to have intrusive thoughts, moments of not feeling instantly bonded, or even flashes of detachment. None of these make you a bad mother; they make you human.
The bottom line: 70-80% of new mothers experience postpartum blues, but many hide it due to shame.
Alex: That statistic is staggering. If four out of five mothers experience this, why isn't it part of the standard conversation before delivery?
Dr. Mona: That's exactly the problem. We focus so much on pregnancy and delivery preparation, but not enough on preparing mothers for the emotional and physical reality of recovery. What matters is recognizing the difference between the expected recovery and when symptoms are more severe, persistent, or getting worse—those are times to reach out for help.
The Six-Week Care Gap: Where Did Everyone Go?
Gabrielle: One thing we've noticed at Bumpdate is how drastically care changes after delivery. Mothers go from frequent prenatal appointments to basically nothing. Can you talk about why this gap exists?
Dr. Mona: During pregnancy, moms are seen often, sometimes every couple of weeks, with a whole team making sure both mom and baby are doing well. Then delivery happens, and suddenly the monitoring drops off. In many cases, insurance only covers one routine postpartum visit at six weeks, which leaves moms with very little structured medical support during one of the most physically and emotionally intense transitions of their lives. That's a huge shift in care, and it often leaves mothers feeling like they've been left on their own.
Pediatricians end up becoming the first consistent touch point simply because babies are seen so frequently in those first weeks. But the truth is, we aren't trained to manage many of the health issues mothers face—things like breast pain, ongoing bleeding, or surgery-related complications.
Alex: So mothers find themselves in limbo where the only doctor they're seeing regularly is focused on their baby?
Dr. Mona: Exactly. So moms find themselves in this limbo where the only doctor they're regularly seeing is focused on their baby, and their own needs get sidelined. That gap in care can feel incredibly isolating, and it sends the wrong message: that once the baby is here, the mother's health matters less.
Reality check: The six-week care gap isn't your fault—it's a systemic problem in how we support mothers.
Know the Difference: When to Rest and When to Call for Help
Gabrielle: This brings us to a critical question—how do mothers know the difference between uncomfortable but normal symptoms and ones that need immediate attention?
Dr. Mona: One of the hardest parts of the postpartum period is not knowing what's "normal" and what isn't. The truth is, there are a lot of uncomfortable symptoms that are expected as your body heals. It's normal to have vaginal bleeding that gradually lightens over weeks, soreness in the perineum or from a C-section incision, mood swings or tearfulness in the first two weeks (often called the baby blues), night sweats, and even leaking urine when you laugh or sneeze. Many women are surprised by these changes, but most of the time they slowly improve with rest, hydration, and support.
At the same time, I want mothers to know there are red flag symptoms that should never be ignored:
🚨 Seek immediate care if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour or passing large clots
- Fever or chills
- Severe headache with vision changes
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Sudden swelling in one leg
- Feelings of hopelessness and not wanting to be here
The key difference is usually about degree and progression: mild discomfort that improves day by day is part of recovery, but anything that feels severe, sudden, or worsening is concerning. And you're never expected to figure this out on your own—if something doesn't feel right, reaching out is always the best step.
You're Not Alone: Getting Support Without the Stigma
Alex: At Poppins, we work with many parents who are adjusting to a new baby and are unsure if what they're experiencing is normal. What would you tell them?
Dr. Mona: I want mothers to know that admitting you're struggling does not mean you're not worthy of being a mother. That's one of the biggest fears I hear, and it keeps too many women silent when they most need support. The reality is, healthcare providers want to help you feel better so you can care for your baby. A healthy parent is the biggest positive outcome for a child—physically and mentally.
Struggling in the postpartum period is common—whether it's with anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, or simply feeling overwhelmed—and speaking up is actually a sign of strength, not weakness.
When you share what you're going through, it opens the door to resources, treatment, and a support system that can make things lighter. Your baby needs you healthy and cared for, just as much as they need to be fed and changed. Asking for help isn't proof you're failing as a mom; it's proof that you love your child enough to take care of yourself too.
The bottom line: Healthcare providers want to help you feel better—a healthy parent is the best outcome for your child.
Your Support Network: Who to Call When You Need Help
Alex: What resources or types of healthcare providers should new mothers turn to when they feel too embarrassed or afraid to discuss certain symptoms?
Dr. Mona: If a mom feels too embarrassed or hesitant to bring something up with her OB-GYN or pediatrician, she should know she's not out of options. There are other professionals who can play an important role in postpartum care:
💚 Alternative support options:
- Lactation consultants can help with breast and feeding issues
- Pelvic floor physical therapists can address pain, leakage, or recovery after birth
- Mental health providers—especially those trained in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders—can support the emotional side of recovery
- Postpartum doulas or nurse practitioners who specialize in maternal health
- Primary care doctors or urgent care providers can be a first step if something feels off
What I always tell mothers is: no symptom is "too small" or "too embarrassing" to deserve attention. If one door feels hard to open, try another. The important thing is not staying silent, because you deserve care in your own right, not just as your baby's caregiver.
Gabrielle: At Bumpdate, we see how important it is for new mothers to have ongoing support from their community—not just during pregnancy, but especially during those isolating postpartum weeks. Our app helps friends and family remember to check in, stay connected, and show up when it matters most.
Alex: And at Poppins, our coaches and clinicians are available 24/7 to answer any questions about your baby's health and development. We can also provide support as you navigate this transition and help connect you with the right resources. You don't have to figure this out alone.
About Dr. Mona Amin
Drawing from her experience as a practicing pediatrician, IBCLC, and healthcare startup advisor since 2015, Dr. Mona Amin brings a wealth of knowledge in children's health and development. Her journey through UCLA's psychobiology program, medical training at ATSU-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and residency at Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital has shaped her holistic approach to pediatric care.
As a second-generation Indian-American, Dr. Mona is deeply passionate about blending modern and traditional medicine to create a truly holistic approach to healthcare—focusing on body, mind, and spirit. She is particularly dedicated to helping parents navigate their children's relationships with emotions, food, body image, and sleep, ensuring that families feel empowered and informed.
Her practical, inclusive approach at PedsDocTalk has resonated with over 1.4M followers, who trust her expertise, science-backed guidance, and relatable style.
Bumpdate has created a private social companion app that transforms "How far along are you?" into ongoing, meaningful support. Their platform helps friends and family remember important milestones, check in during those critical postpartum weeks, and be the support system new mothers desperately need.
At Poppins, we're here to make parenting easier. Whether you have questions about your baby's health, need support as you navigate the transition to parenthood, or want help connecting with the right resources, our experienced coaches and clinicians are available 24/7. Sign up to get answers to any question and the support you need, whenever you need it.
