By now, we all must be aware of how a mother's body changes during and even after pregnancy. What comes next is a challenging phase, called postpartum. However, it is not just the mothers, but dads too go through postpartum depression. As per the UT Southwestern Medical Center, 1 in 10 dads struggle with postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety. According to a 2019 study published in Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, a peer reviewed journal providing evidence-based information, titled Postpartum Depression in Men by Jonathan R Scarff defines postpartum depression as an episode of major depressive disorder occurring soon after the birth of a child. While it is frequently reported in mothers, but can also occur in father. However, there is no established criteria for this in men, although it could present over the course of a year, with symptoms of irritability restrict emotions, and depression.

Why Do Dads Experience PPD?

Fathers can also experience postpartum depression (PPD) due to various factors, including a history of depression, relationship conflicts, financial stress, and maternal depression. Sleep deprivation and disrupted circadian rhythms, known to affect maternal mental health, may also contribute to PPD in men. Additionally, hormonal changes during and after pregnancy play a role. Studies suggest that lower testosterone levels in new fathers reduce aggression and enhance responsiveness to a baby’s cries, while increased estrogen levels promote more engaged parenting. However, these hormonal shifts can also increase vulnerability to depression. Low testosterone is directly linked to depressive symptoms, and imbalances in estrogen, prolactin, vasopressin, and cortisol may hinder father-infant bonding, further exacerbating PPD symptoms.

In fact the study also goes on to note that fathers can experience prenatal depression like mothers too. While it depends on the kind of environment they are in, here are some of the common reasons why dads feel this way:

Hormonal Changes: As per a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Human Biology, titled Prenatal hormones in first-time expectant parents: Longitudinal changes and within-couple correlations, showed that fathers experience hormonal changes during and after their partner's pregnancy. The main reason is the decline in testosterone.

Feeling Disconnected: While dads also want to be part of the newborn experience, the baby usually spends most of the time with the mother. It may make them feel like they are on the "outside".

Other reasons include the pressure that a father feels. Parenting is not easy, it adds on to financial pressure, and this thought could also lead to depression. Especially, if depression runs in father's family, he is more likely to feel depressed with these changes around him. Most new parents underestimate the role lack of sleep plays in their lives. Staying up all night trying to get your baby to eat or sleep can leave you feeling sleep deprived, which could be one of the reasons why the father too may feel tired and depressed.

What Can Be Done?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that postpartum depression screenings not be solely the responsibility of obstetrician, and it must be done by pediatricians too to incorporate maternal health. However, fathers too should go for such screenings. In fact, in 2020, an editorial in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics called on pediatricians to assess the mental health of all new parents regardless of gender.

The ray of hope here is that more and more people are talking about it and are able to recognize the depression dads also go through. The change is not just for moms, but also for dads, thus it is important that they also are taken care of.

Many women notice that even months after delivery, their stomach continues to protrude despite weight loss efforts, exercise, or dieting. Often dismissed as normal postpartum body changes or “stubborn belly fat,” this condition may actually be Diastasis Recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles commonly seen during and after pregnancy.

What Exactly Is Diastasis Recti?

During pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the abdominal muscles and connective tissues to make space for the baby. In some women, the two large abdominal muscles separate more than normal, creating a visible gap in the midline of the abdomen. This condition is known as Diastasis Recti.

While it is common after childbirth, it often goes undiagnosed because many women are unaware that persistent abdominal bulging may not simply be weight gain.

Symptoms Women Commonly Ignore

The condition can cause more than cosmetic concerns. Women may experience lower back pain, poor posture, abdominal weakness, pelvic floor issues, bloating, constipation, or difficulty lifting objects. Some also notice a “doming” or bulge in the centre of the abdomen while sitting up or exercising. The risk may be higher in women with multiple pregnancies, twin pregnancies, excessive abdominal strain, or inadequate postnatal recovery.

Why Can Incorrect Exercise Make It Worse?

Many women immediately begin intense abdominal workouts or crunches after delivery to “reduce tummy fat.” However, certain exercises performed incorrectly can worsen the muscle separation and increase strain on the abdominal wall. This is why proper postnatal rehabilitation becomes important. Strengthening the deep core muscles gradually and safely under professional guidance can help improve recovery.

Early Recognition Matters

Diastasis Recti is treatable in many cases with physiotherapy, guided exercises, posture correction, and core rehabilitation. In severe cases, surgical intervention may sometimes be considered.

Most importantly, women should understand that persistent postpartum abdominal changes are not always due to laziness, poor fitness, or inability to lose weight. Sometimes, the body is recovering from a real physical condition that requires attention, patience, and proper care.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has urged strengthening investment in maternal health initiatives in the US that will support mothers before and after they give birth.

Speaking to NBC News on the occasion of Mother’s Day on May 10, Moore, along with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, spoke about the need to improve access to care for mothers.

Moore, who has served as governor since January 2023, emphasized the need to leverage resources from the government, the private sector, and community organizations to address access gaps.

In light of this, the Maryland Governor highlighted a new partnership his administration entered with The Bridge Project to provide direct cash assistance to new mothers.

The Bridge Project, which has programs in 10 cities, counties, or regions across the country, offers mothers financial support and community resources to assist them during pregnancy and “for the first several years” with their baby.

“It’s going to happen for 150 families in the … areas of Maryland that you’ve had concentrated poverty being a long-term challenge,” said Moore, a father of two.

“And it’s now coming off the heels of additional initiatives that we pulled together, where we’ve reestablished the Governor’s Office for Children. We’ve started something called the ENOUGH Initiative, which is actually an acronym that stands for engaging neighborhoods, organizations, unions, governments, and households, which is the nation’s first place-based, state-led anti-poverty initiative,” he added.

Sanders Urges Bipartisan Action to Improve Maternal Health

Meanwhile, Sanders, who has three children, said she made maternal health a priority after becoming governor, citing Arkansas’ consistently poor ranking in maternal mortality rates.

“If we can see these women and help them and support them from the very beginning of their pregnancy all the way through, then we can help address some of these problems, and we can change maternal health,” Sanders. “Not just in our state, but across the country.”

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Sanders said she convened a strategic working group to identify ways to improve maternal health outcomes throughout the state and was “pleasantly shocked by how many people showed up.”

“People that I know actively campaigned against me were some of the most helpful people in developing our strategic plan on how we were going to address this problem in Arkansas,” the governor added. “It is something that breaks down a lot of walls. Everybody knows a mom. Everybody has a mom.”

The working group led Sanders to introduce the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act and other initiatives, including the Proactive Postpartum Call Center run through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, which calls women in their first six weeks postpartum to ask and answer questions about physical and mental health.

Maternal Mortality In The US

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As per March 2026 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2024 figures raise concerns about maternal health in the country. The US has already had one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries.

The CDC's report stated that in 2024, 649 women died of maternal causes in the United States, compared with 669 in 2023

The maternal mortality rate for 2024, 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, shows no significant decline from 18.6 deaths in 2023.

In most cases, mothers tend to focus more on the health of their family members than on their own. With all the other tasks that mothers have to undertake, health check-ups are generally left out. Nonetheless, it is important for women to undergo yearly health tests so that any disease can be identified early enough and proper preventive measures can be put into place.

Why Regular Health Check-Ups Matter for Women

Some of the physical and hormonal changes that women undergo include pregnancy, delivery, menopause, and aging. These changes make women more prone to illnesses like anemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer. Regular medical examinations offer women a chance to track their health and prevent future complications.

One of the biggest advantages of health screenings is early diagnosis. Conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid dysfunction, among others, have no apparent symptoms in their early stages. However, with screenings, one will be able to diagnose any abnormality and treat or manage the situation.

The ideal health screening process should start with a thorough physical exam. Some of the things that you may consider at the beginning include taking your blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, the heart rate and general health status can provide some critical insights regarding your health status.

Tests That Women Must Skip

Basic blood tests are equally important. The CBC test is conducted to check the presence of anemia, infections, or any deficiency.

A glucose test should be conducted to rule out diabetes or prediabetes. A lipid test should also be conducted to measure the level of cholesterol.

Thyroid tests are highly recommended for women, considering that thyroid disorders have become very common. They affect metabolism, weight management, mood regulation, and the menstrual cycle.

Tests for Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 can also be conducted if the woman experiences tiredness or weakness.

Routine Cancer Screening

Another essential preventive measure that should not be ignored regarding maternal health is routine screening against various forms of cancer. Routine breast exams and mammograms are useful in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, while Pap smear tests will screen for abnormal growths in order to reduce the likelihood of developing cervical cancer. Some women will require further and more thorough testing due to their age group or because of a family history of such conditions.

Other Preventive Health Check-ups

Attention should also be paid to maintaining healthy bones, particularly among women over 40 years of age. Screening for bone strength can detect the early stages of osteoporosis, avoiding future problems with broken bones.

The mental aspect is yet another crucial element that often goes unnoticed. Stress, anxiety, depression, and even insomnia can be prevalent among those women who try to cope with too many tasks at once. Yearly health visits are also a chance to speak to experts about one's emotions and lifestyle.

In summary, annual health visits are not only some kind of obligatory ritual—they are one of the most significant investments in one's health and well-being. Healthy mothers have more chances to look after their children and feel good about themselves and their lives.