Why You Need a Postpartum Recovery Plan

Birth is not the end of your motherhood journey. It is the beginning.

During pregnancy, so much energy goes into preparing for the birth. Bags are packed, names are chosen, birth plans are carefully written. What often gets overlooked is what comes after the birth itself. Recovery is not just one day, it is weeks and months of healing, adjusting and finding your rhythm with a new baby.

A postpartum recovery plan gives you space to think about yourself as well as your baby. It is not about creating a perfect schedule. It is about making sure your needs are not forgotten in the blur of feeding, nappies and visitors. It is a way of saying, I matter too.

In England, around one in four women experience a perinatal mental health condition such as depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. These are some of the most common complications of childbirth. Sleep deprivation, physical discomfort, hormonal changes and the pressure of caring for a newborn can all make the risk greater. Many mothers say that what made things harder was feeling that nobody asked how they were doing.

A recovery plan can make a real difference. By preparing in advance, you are giving yourself the best chance to rest, heal and be supported. It helps you think about the practical things, such as meals, visitors and chores, as well as the emotional things, like how you will find calm, what words or reminders lift you up, and who you can talk to if you feel low. It also gives you the chance to honour cultural or family practices that matter to you, so they are included and not forgotten in the busyness of early parenthood.

Looking after yourself is not selfish. It is a vital part of caring for your baby. By putting your own needs into the plan, you are building a stronger foundation for bonding, joy and recovery.

Get Your Copy

We have created a Postpartum Recovery Plan PDF that you can fill in and share with your partner, family or friends. It is designed to be practical, supportive and personal to you.

If you would like a copy, join the waiting list on our app, and you will receive your plan directly.

Your recovery matters just as much as your baby’s care. Give yourself the gift of preparation and let your plan remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

References

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. (2025). Estimated prevalence of perinatal mental health conditions in England: 2016 to 2019. UK Government. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/perinatal-mental-health-condition-prevalence/estimated-prevalence-of-perinatal-mental-health-conditions-in-england-2016-to-2019

Howard, L. M., Molyneaux, E., Dennis, C. L., Rochat, T., Stein, A., & Milgrom, J. (2014). Non-psychotic mental disorders in the perinatal period. The Lancet, 384(9956), 1775–1788. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61276-9