International comparison shows diverse post-natal care models, highlighting emotional and practical support alongside medical checkups across Europe.
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Lithuania is increasing focus on postpartum care, with services starting in May 2025 to empower new mothers and parents of children under two years old by identifying and reducing risks affecting the mother’s, family’s, and child’s well-being. These services involve home visits from nurses or obstetricians who assess health, provide care procedures, and offer parenting consultations from pregnancy until the child is two. Data shows that 30 medical institutions have already provided these services in 2025, with nearly €165,000 allocated from mandatory health insurance funds. The Ministry of Health emphasizes continuous postpartum care beyond hospital discharge through home visits for monitoring and consultation. Furthermore, primary care specialists are required to screen for signs of postnatal depression using a questionnaire; scoring 12 or more suggests urgent psychiatric evaluation is needed. International comparisons highlight various models: Hungary provides support until the baby’s birth, emphasizing trust built with health workers. The Netherlands’ system extends care beyond medical needs to include practical household assistance and emotional reassurance. Austria’s association president argues that systems are too medically focused, advocating for incorporating practical help like cleaning or meal preparation alongside medical checks. Spain notes that the first days after childbirth are particularly challenging, requiring early detection of both physical and emotional issues, as postnatal mental health support is not yet fully integrated. France has mandatory early postpartum talks but its overall perinatal care results are deemed average despite high spending. In contrast, Czechia’s post-birth care is largely dependent on family finances, with professional home visits often paid for privately by middle to upper-class families, while lower-income families rely on relatives.
