Postpartum Care

Related information

About Postpartum Care

Postpartum care refers to the medical care and support provided to a woman and her newborn baby after childbirth. This period focuses on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of both the mother and the baby.

The days and weeks after childbirth are marked by changes in the body as it heals and recovers from birthing. You may go through a range of emotions as your body experiences these changes. To navigate these challenges, make sure you get help from family and friends and talk to your doctor or midwife if something does not feel right.

Insurance coverage for your baby

Call Hennepin County Human Services at 612-596-1300 after you have your baby to make sure your baby is covered under your health plan.

Postpartum checkups

Schedule your postpartum checkup with your primary care provider four to six weeks after delivery. Postpartum checkups are essential to helping you recover from labor and birthing. It is important to have a postpartum checkup, even if you are feeling fine. Share any discomforts or body changes you may be having. Many of these changes are normal after giving birth, but they can be a sign of a health problem that needs treatment. For more information about postpartum care, visit Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth. Use this voucher to earn $75 gift card for completing a postpartum care visit.

Family Home Visiting program

Hennepin County’s Family Home Visiting program offers free home-based services to eligible county residents. Public health nurses and other professionals visit families at their homes or community spaces to provide emotional, social, health, and parenting support and to connect them with appropriate resources.

Referrals are accepted from families, health professionals, organizations, and programs including health plans, nurses, physicians, social service providers, and WIC programs. Self-referrals are also accepted. To participate, fill out the Family Home Visiting referral form.

Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program

WIC is a federal nutrition and breastfeeding program for pregnant women, new mothers, babies, and young children. WIC helps families with financial needs buy groceries (infant cereal, baby foods, fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, etc.). WIC also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services.

Hennepin County has in-person WIC visits available at various county locations. To schedule an appointment, call 612-348-6100. Learn more at WIC: Women, Infants and Children | Hennepin County.

Get a free car seat

Car seats make riding in a motor vehicle safer for your child. You will need a car seat for your baby when you drive home from the hospital after your baby’s birth. Minnesota law requires children riding in a motor vehicle to be in a car seat up to their eighth birthday or until the child reaches 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

As a Hennepin Health member, you can get a free car seat or booster for your baby or child (up to eight years old) once you complete a car seat class or a technician visit to your home. Free car seats are provided by Milk Moms and Everyday Miracles. Details about car seat program.

Resources

Hennepin Health rewards program offers gift cards for prenatal and postpartum doctor visits, annual dental visits, cervical cancer screening and more
Hennepin Health car seat program offers free car seats or boosters
HelpMeConnectMN.org connects you to healthy child development and family well-being services in your local community
The Redleaf Center for Family Healing Mother-Baby Program offers a range of mental health, mind/body, and parenting support for pregnant and postpartum women and families with children ages 0-5. Call 612-873-6262 to learn more.

DHS approved 12/19/24; MC-1692-MC