'Overwhelmed' and 'exhausted' mums plead for more postpartum support

Morgan's first experiences of motherhood were amongst the most challenging times of her life.

A lack of support left her feeling forgotten and overwhelmed to the point that she did not think she could ever have another child. 

"I was sleep-deprived, I had no idea what I was doing. There was a lot of conflicting or different advice from the midwives in the hospital about breastfeeding," she said.

"That kind of led into a number of weeks where our daughter was very difficult to feed, wasn't gaining weight appropriately, and it was incredibly stressful."

Morgan is among hundreds of women who have shared their experiences of postpartum care as part of a federal inquiry, which is also looking into other elements of women's health care, including pain conditions and fertility treatments. 

Morgan said her experience prompted her to train as a postpartum doula — someone who provides emotional, physical and practical support to new mothers.

Her experience around the birth of her second child was a lot smoother after moving from regional Victoria back to Perth, where she had more support as well as access to midwifery continuity of care.

"The difference in my physical and emotional wellbeing was just huge,"

she said.

"It kind of made me realise, 'Oh, this is what people talk about when they talk about the newborn love bubble'. 

"I actually felt it, whereas the first time it just felt hard and horrible and I thought 'I could never do this again'."

Morgan has called for more comprehensive postpartum care and education, particularly in regional and rural areas.

Women feel 'let down'

Senator Marielle Smith, who is chairing the inquiry, said more than 2,000 submissions had been received from women, parents and advocates. 

"What that tells me is that women have been waiting for the opportunity to have their voices heard," she said.

She said "too many women feel let down" by postpartum care, with concerns ranging from accessing a lactation consultant to timely mental health support.

"These are stories which sadly aren't unique to Western Australia, they're coming through our hearings right across the country," Ms Smith said.

Overwhelmed, exhausted mums

Julia Jones, an educator at Newborn Mothers who has worked in postpartum care for two decades, said mums were often neglected following the birth of their baby.

"When the inquiry was called, it was honestly like such a relief to have someone finally notice and pay attention to mums and ask if mums are OK," she said.

Ms Jones said the inquiry created potential for improved non-clinical support for mothers.

“A normal mum doesn't really get much support in postpartum at all unless she reaches a particular clinical threshold when she can receive medical interventions,” she said.  

“But there's this huge majority of mothers who are overwhelmed, they're exhausted, they are lonely, they don't know what's normal.

“I'd really like mums to travel through this enormous life transition with some more companionship and emotional support and also a better understanding of what to expect during postpartum.”

Hearings are scheduled across the country until the end of the year, and the inquiry's final report is due in August 2027.