What Postpartum Care Looks Like Around The World
Topics
Introduction
A Global Tour: Postpartum Care and What They Deliver
India — traditional postpartum massages, food, and family-supported convalescence
China — “Zuo Yuezi” (doing the month): a formalized confinement that centers recovery
Korea — Sanhujori and commercial postpartum centers (sanhujoriwon)
Japan — “satogaeri” (return to maternal home) and community support
The Netherlands — Kraamzorg (daily postpartum home nurse care)
Germany — Hebamme (midwife-led postpartum care at home)
Sweden & Norway — long parental leave and health nurse home visits
Mexico — cuarentena (40 days of rest and ritual care)
Brazil — Postpartum rest, body therapies, and a growing market for doula-supported care
Canada — structured postpartum checkups, community nursing, and parental leave
Nigeria — omugwo (maternal care provided by the grandmother)
Egypt — 40-day postpartum confinement and community support
United States — Fragmented postpartum care and limited support
What does the science say about healthcare systems implementing structured prenatal and postpartum support?
How the U.S. lags behind — what families often don’t get here
Allay’s Mission To Change Prenatal and Postpartum Care
Introduction
Bringing a baby into the world is extraordinary — and physically and emotionally demanding. Around the globe, cultures have developed systems to protect and restore birthing parents during the vulnerable postpartum weeks and months. In many countries those systems are recognized social priorities backed by infrastructure, paid leave, or widely practiced cultural rituals. In the U.S., postpartum care is fragmented: short hospital stays, limited coordinated follow-up, inconsistent access to lactation and mental-health support, and patchy coverage for non-clinical supports like doulas or home postpartum services. The result: many families — especially first-time parents, BIPOC families, and low-income households — experience preventable struggles in recovery, breastfeeding, and mental health.
This long-form post explains postpartum practices across regions (Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and more), summarizes scientific evidence linking prenatal and postpartum supports to better outcomes, highlights the gaps in U.S. care, and explains how Allay’s mission aims to bring personalized, supportive, home-based postpartum care to families in the Bay Area and beyond.
A Global Tour: Postpartum Care and What They Deliver
Postpartum care is a universal need, yet how societies approach the healing and support of new mothers varies widely across cultures. From structured medical systems to deeply rooted traditional practices, each country has its own way of honoring recovery, nourishment, and the mother–baby bond. Some cultures emphasize rest and confinement, others prioritize community-based care, while still others lean heavily on government-supported health insurance or private facilities. By looking at postpartum care around the world, we see not only diverse cultural beliefs but also how insurance systems and modern healthcare intersect with long-standing traditions. This global tour highlights how families across continents meet the needs of new parents—and what these practices deliver in terms of rest, healing, and support.
India — traditional postpartum massages, food, and family-supported convalescence
In many Indian communities postpartum care centers around a period of rest supported by female relatives, special nutrition, herbal remedies from Ayurveda, belly binding, and — centrally — massage. Postnatal massages (often using warm sesame or coconut oil infused with herbs) are given to the birthing parent for circulation, pain relief, uterine involution support, and mental well-being. These practices are culturally normative and often expected: family members take on childcare, cooking, and household tasks so the new parent can rest and heal. For Indian families living in the Bay Area seeking culturally familiar home postpartum services, these traditions are a major driver of demand — especially because they combine physical therapy–like benefits with culturally relevant comfort and social support.
In India, postpartum massage and confinement practices are typically paid out-of-pocket and organized within families or by private caregivers. Some private hospitals and maternity packages include short-term postpartum services (like dietary support or extended recovery stays), but insurance rarely covers traditional practices. In the U.S., even though postpartum massage has proven benefits for circulation, pain reduction, and stress, it is generally not covered by health insurance, though this is dependent on each individual’s insurance plan.
China — “Zuo Yuezi” (doing the month): a formalized confinement that centers recovery
“Zuo Yuezi” or the “sitting month” is a well-known Chinese postpartum practice where the mother rests for a month (or sometimes longer) and receives intensive in-home care, special diet, heat/steam treatments, and sometimes professional services. Confinement traditions emphasize rest, warmth, and avoiding certain activities believed to disturb recovery. In modern China, institutions (from specialized centers to luxury “postpartum hotels”) now offer medically supervised versions of zuo yuezi for those who can afford them. A study (Raven et al. 2007) show that many Chinese mothers practicing zuo yuezi report using special diets, rest, and behavioral restrictions, which correlate with fewer postpartum complaints like backache or insufficient milk production. Others studies (Nan Y, et al. 2025) highlight that while cultural norms around zuo yuezi are valued for the social support they bring, they also can contribute to emotional stress when expectations are high.
China’s national health insurance covers postpartum medical visits and basic newborn check-ups, but confinement services (zuo yuezi) and postpartum centers are almost always paid out-of-pocket. These services can be very expensive, making them accessible primarily to middle- and upper-class families. In the U.S., families often try to replicate zuo yuezi traditions at home, but no insurance coverage exists to support these culturally meaningful services.
Korea — Sanhujori and commercial postpartum centers (sanhujoriwon)
In South Korea the postnatal care industry is both cultural and commercial. “Sanhujori” is the traditional practice of postpartum care, and today many families use sanhujoriwon — dedicated postpartum care centers that provide two-week to several-week stays where professionals provide mother and baby care, lactation assistance, and recovery-focused services. High utilization rates of these centers show a societal prioritization of postpartum recovery, and studies of mothers who use such centers describe improved confidence, support for breastfeeding, and smoother transitions to parenthood.
Korea’s National Health Insurance fully covers prenatal visits, delivery, and basic postnatal medical check-ups, but sanhujoriwon stays are viewed as lifestyle or comfort-based and therefore not covered. Despite the lack of insurance coverage, over 70% of Korean mothers use these centers, often saving for them in advance. This highlights how culturally ingrained the expectation of postpartum recovery support is — while in the U.S., families often lack both cultural precedent and financial support for such services.
Japan — “satogaeri” (return to maternal home) and community support
Japanese postpartum practice often includes returning to one’s mother’s home (satogaeri bunben) for the early postpartum period, enabling familial rest and practical help. Japan’s healthcare structure also emphasizes postnatal checkups and community midwifery in some regions, which eases the transition in the weeks after birth. Some research has examined how satogaeri influences postpartum depression rates and social support levels.
Japan’s universal health insurance covers postpartum checkups and newborn medical care, including follow-ups with obstetricians and midwives. The satogaeri tradition itself, however, is family-supported and not funded through insurance. Together, the cultural and medical systems ensure that mothers receive both clinical and practical support. In the U.S., health insurance rarely covers home visits, midwifery-led postpartum follow-up, or extended family caregiving, leaving large gaps in support.
The Netherlands — Kraamzorg (daily postpartum home nurse care)
In the Netherlands, postpartum care is not seen as optional or luxury — it is a guaranteed right. The Dutch system provides kraamzorg, a form of home-based maternity nursing that lasts for 8–10 days after birth. A trained maternity nurse (kraamverzorgster) comes to the home to monitor the mother’s recovery, assist with breastfeeding, check the newborn’s health, and even help with light household tasks so that the new family can focus on bonding. This daily care helps detect complications early, improves breastfeeding success, and lowers postpartum stress levels.
Kraamzorg also has a community aspect: families view it as normal and expected, which reduces stigma around asking for help. Mothers are not left to “figure it out alone” as is common in the U.S. Instead, structured daily support is integrated into the health system.
Dutch health insurance is mandatory and universal, and it includes kraamzorg as a covered service. Families only pay a small co-pay (around €4 per hour), with the rest fully reimbursed by insurance. This means no one misses out due to cost — a stark contrast to the U.S., where in-home postpartum services are rarely covered and can cost hundreds of dollars per session out-of-pocket.
Germany — Hebamme (midwife-led postpartum care at home)
In Germany, midwives (Hebammen) are central to postpartum care. After a hospital or home birth, a midwife visits the family at home as often as needed in the first 10 days, and then weekly until 12 weeks postpartum. The midwife checks the healing of stitches or C-section scars, monitors uterine involution, assesses mental health, and provides hands-on breastfeeding support. For the baby, the midwife performs weight checks, observes feeding, and gives advice on infant care.
What sets Germany apart is how normalized and expected midwife care is. Even families who deliver in hospitals continue care with their chosen midwife at home. Mothers have a trusted professional by their side during a vulnerable recovery window, reducing risks of undetected complications like infections, postpartum depression, or severe breastfeeding problems.
Statutory health insurance in Germany fully covers all Hebamme visits and services — at no cost to the family. Private insurance also reimburses midwifery care. This coverage reflects the recognition that postpartum care is preventative healthcare. By contrast, in the U.S., insurance typically only covers a single six-week postpartum OB/GYN checkup, leaving critical gaps in early recovery care.
France — pelvic floor therapy and postnatal home visits
France is internationally recognized for its structured approach to pelvic health after birth. Every mother is prescribed rééducation périnéale — a course of pelvic floor rehabilitation sessions. These sessions are carried out by a physical therapist or midwife and are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor, prevent incontinence, and reduce risks of prolapse. This reflects France’s cultural and medical acknowledgment that childbirth places lasting strain on the body and requires professional rehabilitation, just as one would receive after surgery or injury.
In addition to pelvic rehab, French mothers also receive home visits from midwives shortly after discharge. These visits include wound checks, breastfeeding support, and monitoring for postpartum depression. French parents often describe this system as both medical and nurturing, striking a balance between clinical oversight and supportive recovery.
The French national health insurance system (Sécurité Sociale) covers the majority of postpartum services — including pelvic floor therapy and home midwife visits — at 100%. Families are not burdened with extra costs. In the U.S., pelvic floor therapy is mostly covered when explicitly prescribed and often involves high co-pays, deductibles, or outright denials, leading many to skip vital recovery care.
Sweden & Norway — long parental leave and health nurse home visits
In Sweden, Norway, and other Nordic countries, postpartum care is structured around the principle that recovery is not only medical but also social and emotional. After birth, midwives or child health nurses visit the home regularly to check on both mother and baby. The emphasis is holistic — maternal physical recovery, breastfeeding, newborn development, and family mental health are all priorities.
Perhaps the most striking difference is parental leave. In Sweden, parents are entitled to up to 480 days of paid parental leave, which can be shared between both parents. Norway provides 49 weeks at full pay (or 59 weeks at partial pay). This extended leave means parents do not face the stress of rushing back to work within weeks of birth — a stress that directly worsens U.S. recovery outcomes.
Research shows that this combination of professional home support and extended paid leave contributes to lower postpartum depression rates, stronger breastfeeding outcomes, and higher maternal satisfaction. The cultural norm is that parenting is valued at a national level, and recovery is not rushed.
All postpartum visits and follow-ups are fully covered by the national health insurance systems in Sweden and Norway. Parental leave is funded through social insurance contributions, ensuring financial stability. In the U.S., most families have no paid parental leave and must rely on unpaid FMLA leave if eligible, leaving huge gaps in recovery and care.
Mexico — cuarentena (40 days of rest and ritual care)
In Mexico, postpartum recovery is guided by the cultural practice of la cuarentena, a 40-day period of rest and restricted activities for the mother. During this time, family members or hired caregivers provide traditional foods (like broths, teas, and masa-based dishes), belly binding, herbal remedies, and household support. Spiritual and cultural beliefs also shape care, with rituals to restore balance and protect the mother’s health. This period mirrors confinement traditions in Asia, with a strong focus on warmth, rest, and nourishment.
In Mexico, public healthcare (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, IMSS) covers prenatal, delivery, and postpartum medical visits, but traditional cuarentena practices are family-supported and not included in insurance. In the U.S., Mexican families often replicate cuarentena traditions privately, but no insurance coverage exists to support these culturally rooted practices.
Brazil — Postpartum rest, body therapies, and a growing market for doula-supported care
In Brazil, postpartum care blends traditional rest practices with a modern emphasis on body recovery and family support. Many families observe a “resguardo” period, lasting 30–40 days, during which the mother is encouraged to stay at home, avoid physical strain, and follow dietary restrictions believed to aid healing. Beyond family support, Brazilian postpartum culture strongly values body therapies—including abdominal binding, lymphatic drainage massage, and herbal baths—to restore circulation and help the body “close” after birth. The rise of postpartum doulas (doulas do pós-parto) in urban centers like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro has expanded professionalized support for mothers, focusing on emotional care, breastfeeding assistance, and recovery.
Health insurance in Brazil, through the public SUS system, covers basic postpartum checkups and hospital stays, while private insurance plans (which many middle- and upper-class families carry) often include extended follow-up with obstetricians, lactation support, and even some physiotherapy for pelvic floor rehabilitation. The combination of cultural rest traditions, professional doula services, and insurance-backed medical care makes Brazil’s postpartum system unique in South America.
Canada — structured postpartum checkups, community nursing, and parental leave
Canada integrates postpartum care into its universal healthcare system. After hospital discharge, public health nurses often visit the home to monitor maternal healing and newborn development. Breastfeeding support is widely available through hospitals, community health centers, and La Leche League. Canada also offers one of the most generous parental leave systems in North America: parents can take up to 18 months of combined leave, with income replacement through employment insurance.
Universal healthcare covers postpartum medical care and home nurse visits at no cost to families. Parental leave is publicly funded through employment insurance. Compared to the U.S., Canada’s guaranteed postpartum home support and long paid leave create a more protective recovery environment.
Nigeria — omugwo (maternal care provided by the grandmother)
In Nigeria, postpartum care often revolves around omugwo, a tradition where the maternal grandmother—or another elder female relative—stays with the new mother for several weeks or months. During this period, she provides nourishing meals, herbal baths, baby care guidance, and emotional support, ensuring the mother has continuous help and rest.
While Nigeria’s healthcare system offers only limited postpartum follow-up through clinics, omugwo fills this gap as a culturally rooted, family-driven practice. It emphasizes hands-on care and household support rather than medical or insurance-based coverage, making recovery a shared family responsibility.
Egypt — 40-day postpartum confinement and community support
In Egypt, many families observe a 40-day postpartum rest period known as al-arbaeen, during which the mother avoids strenuous activities and focuses on regaining her strength. Relatives—often mothers, aunts, or older female family members—take on household tasks and childcare so the new mother can rest. Nutritional practices emphasize warming foods such as soups, stews, and spiced teas, along with herbal remedies believed to restore balance in the body. Spiritual and religious traditions also play an important role, with practices like reciting prayers, reading Quranic verses, or protective rituals meant to safeguard both mother and baby.
Egypt’s public healthcare system provides basic postpartum checkups, vaccinations for infants, and nutritional supplements for mothers through government clinics. However, the majority of postpartum recovery continues to be managed within the family, with cultural confinement practices and daily care provided by relatives rather than through insurance or structured medical programs.
United States — Fragmented postpartum care and limited support
In the U.S., postpartum care is often one of the most fragmented stages of healthcare. While pregnancy and birth receive attention through frequent, fully-covered prenatal visits and hospital-based maternity care, support for the postpartum period typically ends with a single six-week checkup with an OB-GYN or midwife. Unlike many other countries, there is little cultural emphasis on extended rest, specialized foods, or family-supported convalescence. Instead, many new parents are expected to resume daily life and even return to work just weeks after giving birth.
Healthcare coverage for postpartum care is also inconsistent. Most insurance policies cover the birth itself and the standard six-week postpartum checkup, but quality services such as lactation consulting, postpartum massage, pelvic floor therapy, doula care, or mental health support are often out-of-pocket expenses. While coverage for some of these services has slowly expanded, gaps remain. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurance plans are required to cover maternity and newborn care as essential health benefits, which includes at least one postpartum visit. However, the ACA does not mandate extended or comprehensive postpartum services, leaving many families without access to holistic or culturally relevant care. Medicaid also provides postpartum coverage, but in many states it still ends after 60 days, creating significant disparities in recovery support.
Research (Dol et al, 2022) consistently shows that insufficient postpartum care in the U.S. contributes to higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates compared to other developed nations. According to the CDC, the U.S. has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries, and many deaths occur in the postpartum period due to lack of ongoing monitoring and support. In addition, inadequate postpartum care exacerbates challenges with breastfeeding success, postpartum depression, and recovery from cesarean births.
This fragmented system stands in stark contrast to places like India, Korea, or the Netherlands, where extended rest periods, home visits, and professionalized postpartum care are embedded in the culture and often covered by insurance. It highlights the U.S. as a country where new parents are frequently left to navigate recovery alone.
What does the science say about healthcare systems implementing structured prenatal and postpartum support?
Below are a few high-impact findings that show why structured prenatal and postpartum supports matter.
Comprehensive antenatal care improves maternal and fetal outcomes.
The World Health Organization’s antenatal care guidelines emphasize interventions across nutrition, assessment, prevention, and system-level improvements to create a “positive pregnancy experience” — which translates to lower risk and better preparedness for birth. Regular antenatal care visits, screening, nutrition supplementation, and continuity of care are associated with better birth outcomes.Continuous labor support (doulas) is associated with improved birth outcomes.
Systematic reviews and recent research (Sobczac et al, 2023) show that doula presence is linked to lower chances of cesarean delivery, greater odds of full-term birth, reduced inpatient admissions during pregnancy, and higher maternal satisfaction. Professional or lay continuous support improves both clinical outcomes and subjective experience.Structured postpartum care and confinement-like practices can support recovery and breastfeeding.
Cultural practices such as zuo yuezi (China) and sanhujori (Korea) combine extended rest, nutrition, and professional help; research (Yang, et al. 2023) suggests these practices offer emotional and practical benefits, supporting breastfeeding and maternal confidence when executed safely. Studies (Tiruneh et al, 2019) of home-based midwifery and postpartum centers similarly report smoother transitions to parenthood for many participants.Home visiting programs reduce risk of postpartum mental-health problems and improve follow-up.
Research (Tabb et al, 2022) shows systematic and targeted home-visit interventions — especially those that include mental health screening and early referral — can detect postpartum depression earlier and provide timely interventions, improving maternal mental health outcomes.
Takeaway: the research converges on an important idea: continuity, culturally competent support, early follow-up, and non-clinical supports (rest, nutrition, massage, lactation help, mental-health screening) all combine to improve recovery, breastfeeding, and satisfaction. Where systems proactively provide those supports, parents do better.
How the U.S. lags behind — what families often don’t get here
In contrast to the systems and cultural norms above, the U.S. has several structural and practical gaps:
Short hospital stays + fragmented follow-up. Many U.S. births involve 24–48 hour postpartum stays for vaginal births and ~2–4 days for cesareans. Without robust home follow-up (midwives, public health nurses, or organized home-visiting programs), problems like poor latch, infection, pain, or mood disorders can be missed.
Limited paid parental leave for many parents. Lack of adequate paid leave forces return-to-work choices sooner than is medically ideal, which can impair recovery, breastfeeding duration, and mental health.
Inconsistent access to lactation support and perinatal mental health. Insurance coverage for lactation consultants, doulas, and perinatal mental-health services varies widely by state and by insurer; many families pay out of pocket.
Nonclinical supports aren’t systemically valued or reimbursed. Cultural practices that center rest and postpartum touch (massage) are not widely available as covered services; many families cannot access or afford home-based care that culturally aligns with their needs.
These gaps aren’t just “nice to fix” — they’re tied to measurable differences in recovery, breastfeeding continuation, mental health, and even mortality risk. The evidence supporting continuous labor support, home visiting, and early postpartum follow-up suggests that investments here would pay off in better outcomes and equity.
What families want (and what many countries already give): rest, skilled help, and cultural fit
Across cultures, the things parents report as most helpful in the postpartum period are surprisingly consistent:
Accessible medical care — regular checkups more frequently than a single six-week visit, including monitoring for postpartum complications and easy access to urgent care when needed.
Practical help with baby care and household tasks — allowing the birthing parent to rest and recover fully.
Skilled lactation support — available in the home or at a welcoming clinic, promoting successful breastfeeding.
Mental health screening and counseling — early detection and support for postpartum depression or anxiety.
Skilled bodywork — massage, craniosacral therapy, or other manual therapies targeting postpartum recovery.
Community and peer support — from family, trained lay supporters, or postpartum support groups to provide social, emotional, and practical assistance.
Countries that integrate these elements — whether through informal family practices or formal healthcare systems — tend to have higher satisfaction and smoother recovery for new parents.
Allay’s Mission To Change Prenatal and Postpartum Care
At Allay, we bring the nurturing benefits of prenatal massage directly to your home. This means no commuting, no waiting rooms, and the comfort of your own space. Our massage therapists are trained to provide safe, effective, and deeply relaxing sessions tailored to your trimester and individual needs.
Allay’s Mission: At Allay, we are dedicated to improving pregnancy care, birth outcomes, and postpartum recovery. We offer personalized, holistic care that empowers parents to thrive during every phase of their journey—from pregnancy to postpartum. Whether it’s in-home therapeutic massage, lactation consultations, or educational resources, we aim to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to support you every step of the way.
Every parent deserves the rest, support, and care that postpartum recovery requires—just as cultures around the world have long recognized. From India’s nurturing massage and family-led care, to China’s zuo yuezi, Korea’s sanhujori, and Europe’s structured home visits, the benefits of consistent support for physical recovery, emotional wellbeing, and breastfeeding success are well-documented. In the U.S., however, many new parents face fragmented care, limited insurance coverage, and a lack of culturally relevant, hands-on support.
Allay is here to bridge that gap. We bring accessible, professional postpartum services directly to your home, including:
Skilled bodywork and massage to support healing and reduce pain
Practical help with baby care and lactation support for breastfeeding success
Infant craniosacral therapy to promote comfort, digestion, and healthy development
✨ Reserve your spot with Allay today and experience postpartum care that prioritizes your recovery, your baby’s health, and your confidence as a parent. Let us help you rest, heal, and adjust smoothly to life after birth, just as families around the world have done for generations. Currently serving families in San Francisco, San Mateo, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, and throughout the Bay Area!
Welcome to the Allay Blog! Your go-to resource for articles about craniosacral therapy, massage therapy, lactation support, and other holistic care during pregnancy and postpartum. At Allay, we strive to provide personalized holistic care to prenatal and postpartum families while supporting, educating, and empowering them every step of the way!
