Why Postnatal Health Matters
- Amanda
- Dec 3, 2025
- 4 min read
For decades, women’s postnatal health has been an afterthought. New mothers and birthing parents are told to “just get on with it”. Too many have been left to navigate physical recovery, emotional upheaval, and overwhelming new responsibilities without the care they truly need.
At Hesta Health, we believe it doesn’t have to be this way. Postnatal care can and should be better. Our mission is simple: to deliver the right care at the right time to new parents, with the support, expertise, and compassion they deserve.
In this post, we’ll share why postnatal care needs reimagining, what makes Hesta Health different, and how we’re working to create a future where women’s health is finally put first.
Why postnatal care needs to change
The six-week check. That’s what most women in the UK can expect as the cornerstone of their postnatal support. But data indicates that over a third of of new mothers and birthing parents don’t have the check at all, and those who do will tell you that it often feels like a tick-box exercise - rushed, impersonal, and focused more on the baby than the mother.
Meanwhile, new mums are facing a whirlwind of challenges:
Physical recovery from birth, whether vaginal, assisted, or surgical, which can involve pain, bleeding, pelvic floor weakness, diastasis recti, or ongoing complications.
Mental health struggles - postnatal depression and anxiety affect up to 1 in 5 new mothers and birthing parents, but stigma and lack of timely support mean many go undiagnosed or untreated. Beyond this, a significant number of women find birth a traumatic experience, whether from an unexpected intervention, a frightening delivery, or feeling dismissed during labour. Yet too often, a traumatic response to birth goes unrecognised and unaddressed within traditional healthcare.
Emotional overwhelm - exhaustion, loss of identity, and the pressure to “bounce back” leave many feeling invisible and unsupported.
System gaps - fragmented care means mothers and birthing parents are passed between GPs, midwives, specialists and health visitors without continuity, leaving them to piece together advice alone.
The result? Many women spend the first months and years after childbirth surviving, not thriving. And that’s not good enough.
Our belief: you deserve more
At Hesta Health, we exist to close this gap. We believe:
Care should be compassionate, not dismissive. New mothers and birthing parents need to feel heard, understood, and validated.
Care should be expert, not outdated or vague. Women deserve advice rooted in clinical research and best practice.
Care should be comprehensive, not fragmented. Postnatal recovery touches every part of a woman’s health — physical, mental, and emotional. Support must reflect that.
Care should be accessible, not exclusive. Every woman, regardless of background, deserves excellent healthcare.
Our vision is a future where women’s health is a force for wellbeing, prosperity, and growth, starting with the postnatal journey.
Introducing Hesta Health
Hesta Health is a comprehensive all-in-one postnatal service designed to put your recovery first. We provide expert care for your mind and body, delivering everything you need to heal and feel like yourself again, all in one place.
What sets us apart?
1. Comprehensive, integrated care
We bring together physical recovery, mental health support, and emotional wellbeing under one roof. Whether you need help with pelvic floor rehab, nutrition for healing, or guidance through postnatal anxiety, we’re here for you.
2. Clinically led, human-centred
Our care is guided by the latest research and delivered by healthcare professionals who understand the unique needs of new mothers and birthing parents. But we never lose sight of the human experience. Every interaction is warm, empathetic, and judgment-free.
3. Technology that works for you
Through our digital platform, you can access resources, expert advice, and personalised support when and where you need it. And you’ll also have the option to be seen in person, ensuring you always get the right care at the right time. It’s healthcare designed for modern mothers and birthing parents - flexible, convenient, and responsive.
Beyond the six week check
We’re challenging the idea that postnatal healthcare should end at six weeks. In reality, it’s a journey that unfolds over months, even years. From pelvic health and mental wellbeing through to longer term cardiovascular and metabolic health, these are areas that deserve attention long after the early weeks.
At Hesta, we see postnatal care as a continuum, not a one off appointment. Our services are designed to support women throughout the critical first two years after birth, laying the foundation for lifelong health.
What you've told us
We’ve spoken to countless new mothers and birthing parents while building Hesta, and their voices guide everything we do. Here’s what we hear again and again:
“I didn’t feel like myself anymore, but no one seemed to take it seriously.”
“I was brushed off when I asked about pelvic floor issues and was told it was ‘normal’. I now know it wasn’t normal at all, I feel so let down.”
“I just wanted someone to listen, to explain what was happening to my body.”
“The focus was all on my baby. I felt invisible.”
These stories are heartbreaking. But they’re also a call to action. Women deserve better. And that’s why we’re here.
Launching soon: be part of a new era
We’re on the cusp of something new for postnatal care. In just a few weeks, we’ll be launching Hesta Health, starting with our early access programme in London.
If you’re a new mother or birthing parent who wants to feel supported, seen, and cared for — we’d love you to be part of our community. You can find links to our website, waiting list and social media at the end of this post.
A final word
Being happy and healthy after giving birth is not a luxury. It’s not something you should have to “figure out” on your own. Your postnatal journey is a vital part of your health, your wellbeing, and your future.
At Hesta Health, we’re here to make sure every mother and birthing parent has the care they deserve. Compassionate. Expert. Empowering.
Because it’s time for postnatal care to be done right. 💜
👉 Sign up for early access to experience postnatal care that finally puts you first - we're l launching soon.
👉 Join our user research programme and help shape the future of women’s healthcare.
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