Access to maternal care in India has improved in the last decade; however, the experience of mothers regarding pregnancy and childbirth remains inconsistent once they leave the delivery room. Factors influencing outcomes in the weeks and months following delivery include breastfeeding challenges, inadequate postnatal follow-ups, and limited mental health support. This was highlighted during the Times Future of Maternity 2026 conference, organized by Times Internet and Pregatips, where clinicians and specialists convened to discuss often-overlooked aspects of maternity care in India, focusing particularly on the period after birth.
During the discussion on enhancing prenatal, postnatal, lactation, and mental support systems, attention turned to breastfeeding, an area where India faces notable gaps despite clear global guidelines. Dr. Deepti Arora, founding member of Everbliss Maternity, noted a persistent pattern in practice: breastfeeding challenges often stem from insufficient guidance rather than a mother’s knowledge. “Breastfeeding doesn’t fail because a mother doesn’t know; the gaps in guidance are so significant that she feels she doesn’t know how to do this simple thing,” Dr. Arora stated.
Among the challenges that arise during the early days are pain from incorrect latching, concerns about low milk supply, delayed breastfeeding initiation, and emotional distress. Dr. Arora emphasized the lack of timely support and preparation, rather than a lack of awareness, as a key issue: “Breastfeeding doesn’t fail, but the systems do,” she remarked.
The conversation also highlighted postpartum recovery, with Dr. Helai Gupta, Senior Consultant in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Rosewalk Hospital, noting that the healthcare system often views childbirth as the endpoint rather than as the beginning of a prolonged recovery phase. “Postpartum care is the most under-medicalized phase in a woman’s life cycle,” she said, pointing out that many aspects of recovery, including sleep, hydration, mobility, and mental health, receive insufficient attention compared to delivery and discharge protocols. For instance, Dr. Gupta noted that restricted water intake in some communities can lead to dehydration, negatively impacting recovery and lactation.
Mental health, in particular, has been identified as a significant gap in continuous care. Dr. Juhi Rachel Baluja, Consultant Psychiatrist at St. Stephen’s Hospital, indicated that while awareness of mental health issues has increased, the burden continues, with anxiety disorders being prevalent during pregnancy and post-delivery. “Around 15-20% of cases… will have some sort of underlying anxiety,” Dr. Baluja noted, adding that these issues are not limited to first-time mothers. In severe cases, symptoms can progress to depression or psychosis if left unaddressed. Early signs requiring immediate attention include low confidence, difficulty in caring for the baby, and feelings of sadness.
The panel also discussed the underutilization of antenatal education. Dr. Rashmi Bawa, Founding Director of WellMom, termed structured antenatal sessions a low-cost, high-impact intervention. “Structured antenatal education… is the most low-input but the most high-yielding resource that we have,” she said, emphasizing the importance of reliable information to help families prepare.
Timing is crucial for effective guidance, with Dr. Arora asserting that providing lactation support after delivery is often too late, as mothers experience emotional stress while recovering physically. Proper preparation during pregnancy, she argued, enables mothers to understand what to expect and how to respond appropriately rather than react in panic.
The discussion addressed how postnatal support systems should be structured, with Dr. Gupta asserting that current public health programs typically track mothers only up to six weeks after delivery. Follow-ups should extend beyond this period, employing digital tools and regular check-ins to identify risks early and improve long-term outcomes.
Moreover, the experts stressed that systems alone are insufficient; the family’s role is central, particularly in the Indian context. “If the mother is supported, breast milk flows; if she is doubted, it slows,” Dr. Arora highlighted. However, existing support structures often focus predominantly on the newborn and overlook the mother’s needs and the family dynamic. Dr. Bawa observed that while postpartum care should transition to a more “parent-centric” approach, it frequently remains centered on the baby, adding to the challenges mothers face due to communication gaps, lack of practical assistance, and societal pressures.
The engagement of extended family members in care planning was also deemed significant, as older relatives often influence decisions regarding nutrition, recovery, and infant care. Involving them in caregiving processes can enhance adherence to care practices and improve outcomes.
Across the panel, a central theme emerged: maternal care encompasses preparation, delivery, recovery, and adaptation to new life stages, rather than being confined to labor and hospital discharge. Therefore, effective coordination among healthcare providers, communities, and families is essential, along with adherence to clinical protocols, to strengthen prenatal, postnatal, lactation, and mental health support structures. This is crucial, considering that for many women, the most critical period of care begins after childbirth.
