From the Guidelines

The postpartum period begins at birth and is a critical time for setting in place sustained healthy physical behaviors.

The postpartum period can be divided into four phases: acute postpartum, early postpartum, mid-postpartum, and late postpartum 1.
The duration of the postpartum period is not well-defined, but it can last up to a year or more 1.

Physiological changes occur during the postpartum period, and healthcare providers should be aware of these changes to provide appropriate care 1.
Cardiovascular disease screening is important during the postpartum period, and screenings should be done at 6 weeks, 8-12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after delivery 1.
Postpartum follow-up care is crucial, but many women do not receive routine follow-up care, with Black women being less likely to receive postpartum care than White women 1.

Healthcare providers should provide guidance and support to postpartum women, including advice on physical activity and sedentary behavior 1.
Telehealth can be used to provide therapeutic interventions and maximize value-based care 1.

From the Research

The postpartum period, also known as the puerperium, begins immediately after delivery of the neonate and placenta and ends 6-8 weeks after delivery 2.
It is a critical and challenging time for women, implying emotional, physical, social, and spiritual changes 3.
The postpartum period can be considered a fourth trimester, lasting 12 weeks after delivery 4.

It is a time of significant transition for women, with physiologic and psychosocial changes as they transition into a motherhood role 5.
Women are vulnerable to health problems directly related to childbirth and to compromised self-care, which can manifest in the development or reestablishment of unhealthy behaviors 5.
The postpartum period is an important time for a new mother and her family, requiring outpatient care to be initiated within three weeks after delivery 4.

Women's needs in the postpartum period can be summarized into four categories: support, sharing, care, and preparation for the postpartum period 3.
Women require consistent information and support from health professionals to have a positive postpartum experience 3.
Health education and parenting skills training during pregnancy are essential to improve the postpartum experience and the transition to parenthood 3.
Women's needs include achieving positive motherhood, fulfilling adaptation to changed intimate and family relationships, and regaining health and wellbeing for both their baby and themselves 6.

Outpatient postpartum care should focus on acute needs and risks for morbidity and mortality, then transition to care for chronic conditions and health maintenance 4.
Complications of pregnancy, such as hypertensive disorders and gestational diabetes mellitus, affect a woman's long-term health and require specific attention 4.
Women may experience postpartum complications, including infectious conditions, thrombotic complications, hemorrhagic conditions, cesarean delivery-related complications, iatrogenic conditions, and nonobstetric complications 2.