Beyond Six Weeks: Why New Moms Remain at Risk

November 13, 2025

When a woman brings her newborn home from the hospital, her baby’s health is her primary focus – often at the expense of her own. After an initial postpartum checkup with their OB/GYN provider, many women assume they’re in the clear and ready to resume “normal life.”

But startling new evidence shows that nearly one-third of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. occur long after childbirth, from six weeks to one year postpartum. While pregnancy has always carried the risk of death, this risk is rising because of a variety of factors, says Jennifer Carroll, MD, a University Hospitals OB/GYN physician and Chair of the Department of OB/GYN at UH Portage Medical Center. She shares more about these risk factors and what women can do to protect themselves.

Who’s at Risk?

Cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S. Other chronic health conditions that can put women at risk include high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. These conditions are more common with age and can worsen after delivery, says Dr. Carroll.

Systemic issues can put women at risk as well, says Dr. Carroll. Race plays a role, with Black and Native American women two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Other barriers to postpartum care access include lack of paid parental leave, housing instability and food insecurity.

Additionally, mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance use commonly intensify postpartum.

“Women are less likely to seek medical care after the newborn period due to systemic barriers or life stressors,” says Dr. Carroll.

Watching for Warning Signs

The most important thing any woman can do during the postpartum period is pay close attention to any warning signs – and don’t ignore them. Even symptoms that seem harmless could potentially point to something more serious.

“Trust your instincts and reach out if something doesn’t feel right,” says Dr. Carroll.

Concerning symptoms may include:

Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
A headache that doesn’t resolve with pain relievers.
Blurry vision.
Signs of infections such as high fever.
Signs of depression, anxiety or other mood changes.

The Importance of Follow-Up Care

All women should have a routine postpartum checkup within 2 – 4 weeks of giving birth. Higher-risk women may require follow-up care earlier or more often. For instance, women who had high blood pressure during pregnancy or delivery require close blood pressure monitoring for 72 hours and a postpartum checkup 3 – 5 days after returning home.

The first follow-up visit is especially important for screening for mental health issues following delivery, as well as for monitoring any issues that arose during pregnancy or after delivery.

“These visits are essential to assure the patient is adjusting well postpartum and to treat any potential medical conditions that may have persisted or worsened after delivery,” says Dr. Carroll.

Dr. Carroll says postpartum care no longer ends six weeks after delivery. The care women receive in the days, weeks and months following childbirth is as important as the care they received during pregnancy: “Making sure that all women get appropriate postpartum care is the priority.”