European countries show varied approaches to postpartum care, focusing on home visits and mental health support.
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Lithuanian health authorities are increasing focus on maternal and early infant care, starting in May 2025, by providing home visits from nurses or obstetricians to empower mothers and families, aiming to identify and reduce risks affecting the mother’s, family’s, and child’s well-being. In 2025, 30 healthcare institutions provided these services, resulting in 4709 home visits for 728 people, funded by nearly 165 thousand euros from mandatory health insurance. The Ministry emphasizes continuous care after birth, including home visits and monitoring infant health, and primary care specialists are required to screen for signs of postpartum depression using a specific questionnaire; scoring 12 or more warrants referral to mental health specialists. International examples show varied approaches: Hungary supports families with healthcare visitors until the baby is born, emphasizing trust and holistic support beyond medical needs; the Netherlands’ home care system assists with daily chores alongside medical checks; Austria’s obstetricians are criticized for being too medically focused, suggesting a need for more practical help like domestic assistance; Spain highlights the complexity of the first few days postpartum and calls for stronger mental health support in homes; France invests heavily but shows only average perinatal care results despite high costs; meanwhile, in the Czech Republic, professional postnatal home visits are not state-funded, making access dependent on a family’s financial means.
