The weeks and months after birth are vital not only for infant health but also for the health and well-being of women and families as a whole. The first 12 weeks postpartum, also known as the 4th trimester, is part of a continuum of pregnancy to recovery and family adjustment. In the United States, this transitional period has been a neglected area for women's health, especially considering the inherent biological, physical, and social changes experienced by millions of women each year. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute supported the 4th Trimester Project to partner with new mothers, health care providers, and health advocates to better describe and understand unmet maternal postpartum health needs. Through woman-centered engagement, the patient-researcher-clinician-advocate team co-developed priority areas for research, policy, communication, and health care service delivery.
Keywords: Health care; Infant; Mother; Postpartum; Reproductive justice.