On the 5th, it was revealed that 85.5% of mothers use postpartum care centers after giving birth. Mothers stay at postpartum care centers for an average of 12.6 days, receiving services such as newborn feeding, sleep management, meals, cleaning, and recovery from aftereffects, spending an expenditure of about 2.86 million won.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the results of the '2024 postpartum care survey' conducted with 3,221 mothers who gave birth in 2023. According to the Maternal and Child Health Act, the ministry has been conducting postpartum care surveys every three years since 2018 to ensure the health of pregnant women and newborns.
◇Average postpartum care period in Korea is 30.7 days… 7 out of 10 experience depression after giving birth
According to the survey, mothers typically undergo postpartum care at a postpartum care center (85%: multiple responses), their own home (84.2%), their parents' home (11.2%), and their in-laws' home (1%). The duration at each location is as follows: own home (22.3 days), parents' home (20.3 days), in-laws' home (19.8 days), and postpartum care center (12.6 days). They spent 1.285 million won at postpartum care centers and 1.255 million won at their own home, parents' home, and in-laws' home as postpartum care expenses. Through this, they recovered their health (91.2%), learned how to take care of their newborns (6.2%), and formed bonding relationships with their babies (2.2%).
Mothers experienced discomfort such as sleep deprivation (67.5%) and pain from wounds (41%). Additionally, 68.5% reported feeling depressed for an average of 187.5 days, and 6.8% were diagnosed with postpartum depression. Those who helped alleviate their depression included spouses (57.8%), friends (34.2%), family (23.5%), and medical professionals or counselors (10.2%). The ministry noted, "There is a need to strengthen mental health management support for mothers."
◇“Expense support is necessary”… affordable public postpartum care centers also needed
Government policies needed for postpartum care include financial support (60.1%: multiple responses), expanding maternity leave for spouses and mothers (37.4% and 25.9% respectively), and promoting spouse parental leave (22.9%). Currently, both mothers and spouses can take maternity leave (58.1% and 55.9%) and parental leave (55.4% and 17.4%), but the duration should be extended, according to the intent.
The government currently provides 2 million won for the first child and 3 million won from the second child onwards (in the form of first contact vouchers). The Ministry of Health and Welfare is positioned to allow this amount to be used for postpartum care center expenses. Also, 21 local governments nationwide, including Gangjin in Jeollanam-do, Hongcheon in Gangwon-do, and Seogwipo in Jeju, operate relatively affordable public postpartum care centers. A ministry official stated, "Satisfaction levels for public postpartum care centers are relatively high, and we will review various policies with local governments."
Kim Sang-hee, the director of the Population and Child Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We will create a healthy postpartum care environment," adding, "We will review and promote necessary policies, such as expense support and the activation of spouse parental leave."