Prenatal and postpartum visits are meant to provide reassurance, guidance and early detection of potential issues. Yet for many women, accessing and understanding this care is harder than it should be. Research shows that nearly one in four women do not begin prenatal care during the first trimester, and almost 40% of new mothers do not attend a postpartum visit.1,2 These gaps in care can increase the risk of preventable complications and have lasting impacts on families.
Many women face uncertainty in pregnancy—unsure when to call a provider, what symptoms matter, or what prenatal and postpartum visits are meant to address. Clear, trusted education—delivered early and reinforced throughout pregnancy and recovery—can help women recognize when to seek care and stay engaged through pregnancy and recovery.
Persistent gaps in maternal care
Even with progress in maternal care, too many women experience gaps in prenatal and postpartum services. When care is delayed or interrupted, opportunities to identify concerns early and connect women to support can be missed.
The reasons for delayed or missed care are often complex and interconnected. Some may not recognize first signs of pregnancy or understand the importance of first trimester visits. Others may feel uncertain about what happens during appointments or how to prepare. Additional barriers—such as transportation challenges, limited provider availability, language differences, housing instability, or mental and behavioral health concerns—can further disrupt care. Addressing maternal health means recognizing these real‑world barriers and supporting women through them.
The role of education in supporting healthier pregnancies
Timely prenatal and postpartum care often begins with awareness. When women know when to seek care, what key visits involve and how to prepare, navigating pregnancy and postpartum recovery can feel more manageable.
Early prenatal visits help providers identify potential risks and begin care tailored to a woman’s physical and mental health needs. Postpartum visits continue that support after delivery, addressing recovery and concerns such as changes in physical or mental health, pain, breastfeeding, family planning, nutrition and adjusting to life with a newborn.
Clinical guidance recommends that women see a provider within three weeks after delivery, with ongoing care as needed and a comprehensive follow up visit no later than 12 weeks‑.3 When women are armed with education of what to expect—and when --it may be easier to maintain health for mom and baby.
How UnitedHealthcare is supporting maternal health education nationwide
To help support moms in connecting to care and navigate resources, UnitedHealthcare launched a national maternal health education campaign focused on encouraging early prenatal engagement and consistent postpartum follow up.
The campaign will feature broadcast TV interviews, engaging digital content, and targeted social media posts to highlight the importance of early care and guide individuals in navigating their health care journey. These efforts are designed to reach a wide audience and make it easier for people to access timely support and resources.
- The campaign directs individuals to everypregnancy.com, a centralized resource offering clear, reliable information and resources including:
- Week-by-week pregnancy timeline
- A downloadable prenatal appointment checklist to help moms prepare for visits, including what to bring and questions to ask
- A Healthy Pregnancy Quiz to help moms better understand their care needs
For UnitedHealthcare Community Plan members, additional programs may be available to provide essentials such as prenatal vitamins, breastfeeding supplies, healthy foods, diapers, car seats, and safe sleep options.
By sharing education and resources, this maternal health campaign contributes to broader efforts to reduce barriers to care such as information access.
A shared commitment to improving maternal health
Supporting maternal health means helping women navigate care with greater clarity and confidence. Through collaboration across health care, public health, and communities, pregnant and postpartum mothers can be connected to trusted education, timely care, and supportive resources. By reinforcing what to expect and when to seek care, we aim to reduce uncertainty and supports healthier.
Learn how UnitedHealthcare Community & State works to continuously improve maternal outcomes for all members by visiting our Maternal Health Insights page.
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