Postnatal Care: Cracking the Hidden Crisis
How Bupa’s pioneering new approach could solve the postnatal medical blind spot, improving outcomes for women and their employers.
The numbers paint a stark picture: while 85% of mothers report that postnatal follow-up care focuses solely on their baby's health, 58% of women returning to work after a career break feel unsupported by their employers. It's a perfect storm of neglect that leaves new mothers struggling in silence, and costs businesses hard-won talent. But a trailblazing new approach from Bupa is set to change this narrative.
It’s no secret that the current postnatal care system is failing women at the most vulnerable point in their careers. Research reveals that a quarter (25%) of women experience postnatal depression or anxiety, with fewer than 15% receiving adequate support. The physical toll is equally devastating: nearly one in four women suffer pregnancy-related back pain postpartum, while only 25% of those with serious pelvic floor issues receive physiotherapy referrals.
Perhaps most tellingly, 85% of women report that healthcare providers did not ask about their mental or physical wellbeing during postnatal appointments. The message is clear: once the baby arrives safely, the mother's health becomes an afterthought.
This medical blind spot has profound workplace implications. Bupa's recent Wellbeing Index found that half of all women take career breaks of six months or more, with maternity leave being the primary reason. While almost all (98%) eventually return to work in some form, the journey back is fraught with challenges. Just two in five women are offered mental health resources upon their return, and under a quarter receive access to women's health programmes.
The cost of this neglect is staggering. When 52% of returning mothers feel unsupported by their employers, the result is a haemorrhaging of female talent. A report by Careers After Babies shows that 85% of women leave the full-time workforce within three years of having their first child, and 19% leave work completely, because businesses aren’t offering the flexibility needed.
'Women's Health & The Bottom Line' session at the Women in Work Summit 2025 - with Dr Petra Simić, Medical Director of Health Clinics, Bupa UK
A revolutionary solution
Enter Bupa's innovative Postnatal Plan – a comprehensive 12-month support programme that represents the first truly holistic approach to postnatal care in the UK. Unlike traditional offerings that treat physical and mental health as separate concerns, this groundbreaking product integrates multiple layers of support into a seamless care pathway.
The programme begins with a 30-minute consultation with a Bupa GP, either face-to-face or via video, focusing exclusively on the mother's health needs. It’s followed by a 45-minute session with a specialist women's health physiotherapist, addressing everything from pelvic floor dysfunction to pregnancy-related back pain. Crucially, the plan includes a 50-minute consultation with a CBT Therapist, specifically designed to introduce coping strategies for new mothers navigating the complex emotional landscape of early parenthood.
But the innovation doesn't stop there. Recognising that postnatal recovery is a journey rather than a destination, the plan provides 15-minute follow-up appointments with both the GP and physiotherapist, alongside a year of 24/7 access to Bupa's Anytime Healthline – a dedicated nursing support service that new mothers can call whenever concerns arise.
Over the past few years, Bupa has strengthened its commitment to women’s health launching the Bupa Menopause Plan and Bupa Period Plan, to support women through different stages of their lives. Bupa's Connected Care strategy also means that those with insurance can access fully integrated treatment pathways for women's health issues, leading to a better experience and outcomes. The Postnatal Plan is another proof point
Return to work from a position of strength
Dr Samantha Wild, Women's Health Clinical Lead at Bupa, explains the significance of this comprehensive approach: "Continuous support throughout the entire postnatal journey means mothers can focus on their recovery knowing they have expert guidance available 24/7 – we want them to feel like they have a team behind them. When they're ready to return to work, they're doing so from a position of strength – both physically and mentally. The ongoing support means they're not navigating workplace challenges while dealing with unresolved health issues."
Dr Samantha Wild - Women's Health Clinical Lead at Bupa
For employers, the Postnatal Plan represents a strategic investment in talent retention and workplace culture. The programme will be launched to businesses in Q1 2026 through Bupa's business-to-business offering, complete with a comprehensive postnatal toolkit that guides employers on supporting their people throughout the maternity journey.
The business case is compelling: women cite flexible working hours (52%), better childcare support (42%), access to women's health programmes (28%), and mental health support (26%) as key elements for staying in the workforce longer – and the Postnatal Plan directly addresses three of these four priorities.
Jo Paice, Director at Bupa Health Clinics, emphasises the employer benefits: "For employers, the most valuable aspect is the retention of high-stakes talent. When employers invest in comprehensive postnatal support, they're sending a clear message that they value women at every stage of their careers. It enhances their reputation as an employer of choice and can significantly improve recruitment of top female talent."
Jo Paice - Director at Bupa Health Clinics
Empowering individual recovery
For new mothers, the programme offers something revolutionary: the radical concept that their health matters independently of their baby's wellbeing. In a healthcare system where postnatal appointments often feel like administrative formalities, the Postnatal Plan provides dedicated time and expertise focused solely on maternal recovery.
The personalised exercise programmes help women rebuild physical strength and address common issues like core weakness and pelvic floor dysfunction, that can persist for months or years if left untreated. Meanwhile, the mental health component acknowledges that postnatal emotional challenges are recognised health concerns requiring professional support.
"This is validation for new mothers,” says Paice. “For the first time, women have an appointment designed for them as the patient, not just as the baby's caregiver. This programme acknowledges that maternal health is fundamental to family wellbeing and workforce participation. When mothers feel physically strong and emotionally supported, they can engage more fully in all aspects of their lives."
A holistic postnatal toolkit
Perhaps the most innovative aspect of Bupa's approach is its recognition that physical and mental health cannot be separated in postnatal recovery. Traditional healthcare models compartmentalise these concerns, leading to fragmented care that often misses the interconnected nature of postnatal challenges.
Dr Wild explains why this integrated approach is crucial: "A mother experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction might also struggle with anxiety about returning to normal activities or resuming intimacy. And someone dealing with postnatal depression might neglect physical rehabilitation, creating a cycle of declining wellbeing that affects all aspects of their life.”
Postnatal recovery isn't just about healing from childbirth – it's about helping women rebuild their identity as mothers while maintaining their sense of self. Physical confidence supports mental wellbeing, while emotional stability enables engagement with physical rehabilitation.
For progressive employers, the Postnatal Plan offers an opportunity to lead in an area where many competitors are still failing their female employees. With the service set to launch early next year, forward-thinking businesses have an opportunity to be among the first to demonstrate genuine commitment to women's career-long wellbeing.
In an era where corporate rhetoric about supporting working mothers often falls short of meaningful action, Bupa's Postnatal Plan offers something transformative: recognition that maternal health is intrinsic to both individual and business success.
Postnatal care: the facts & figures…
85% of mothers said the follow up care they receive is focused solely on the baby’s health
Less than 60% of new mothers received a six-week postnatal check, while 45% felt their physical health problems were not adequately addressed.
40% of deaths in the first year after giving birth are due to poor mental health.
25% one in four women experience post-natal depression or anxiety and fewer than 15% received adequate support.
25% (nearly one in four) women have pregnancy related back pain postpartum, while only 25% of women with serious postnatal pelvic floor issues receive referrals for physio.
Half of women have taken a career break of six months or more, with the three most common reasons being maternity leave, caring for dependents, and physical health reasons. Nearly all women (98%) have returned to the workplace after their career break, 46% full time and 35% part time.
Nearly half of women who have returned to work after a career break, say that it gave them their confidence back, with 47% offered flexible working arrangements within a supportive workplace culture.
However, 58% say they did not feel supported by their employer on their return to the workplace. Just two in five were offered mental health resources and counselling and under a quarter were given access to women's health programmes.
In terms of health and wellbeing, women say that flexible working hours (52%), better childcare support or subsidies (42%), access to women’s health programmes (28%) and mental health support (26%) are all key elements in helping to keep women in the workforce for longer.
Source: Bupa Postnatal Plan & Bupa Wellbeing Index