For the early part of my adult life, I was rather unaware of the failings of our healthcare system—until I realized I had been navigating them all along. I had cycled through multiple OB-GYNs before the age of 21, assuming that constantly changing doctors was normal. It wasn’t. The truth was, the standard of care for women’s health was so lacking that many of us had simply come to accept it as the way things were. Annual checkups felt more like transactional visits than opportunities for real preventive care. Beyond the usual warnings about contraception or STIs, no one ever asked me about my cycle, whether I experienced heavy periods, discomfort during ovulation, or symptoms that could indicate underlying conditions like PCOS or fibroids. No one mentioned how pelvic floor health could impact my future or that kegels weren’t just for postpartum recovery. It wasn’t until I became a mother that the gaps in care became glaringly obvious—and by then, I was left to navigate postpartum recovery largely on my own.
This isn’t just my story—it’s the reality for millions of women. The U.S. healthcare system has consistently overlooked maternal and postpartum care, leaving new mothers to fend for themselves in one of the most vulnerable times of their lives. But things are beginning to change. Across the country, we’re seeing a long-overdue shift: more postpartum recovery centers, increased access to midwives and doulas, and a rising movement of women reclaiming their maternal health. While this progress is promising, the truth remains that America still has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations. There is still so much work to do.
At Chébona, we are part of this movement, committed to bridging the gaps in postpartum care with products, services, and resources designed to support new mothers. From nourishing meal delivery to lactation support, we believe maternal health should never be an afterthought—it should be a priority. The state of maternal health in America requires forward progressive movement and the critical work that still lies ahead. But, we are hopeful we are starting to peel back the layers and see beacons of hope on the horizon with the arise of foundations like Birth Fund. For decades, maternal health in America has been an afterthought, a system plagued by gaps in postpartum care, lack of accessibility, and alarmingly high maternal mortality rates. But slowly, the tide is turning. Women across the country are reclaiming their birth and postpartum experiences, demanding better care, and taking matters into their own hands.
The rise of postpartum facilities, midwives, and doulas is a direct response to a failing system—one that has long prioritized intervention over intuition, speed over support. While these developments signal progress, they also serve as a stark reminder of just how much work remains to be done. The United States still has one of the highest maternal mortality rates of any developed nation, a sobering statistic that disproportionately affects Black and Indigenous women. In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of postpartum recovery centers emerge across the country, modeled after the well-established systems in countries like South Korea and China, where maternal care is deeply ingrained in cultural practice. These facilities offer mothers the support they need in the critical weeks following childbirth—lactation consultants, meal services, pelvic floor therapy, and emotional support. More importantly, they provide a space where mothers can rest, heal, and be nurtured without the pressure to “bounce back.”
The Work Still Ahead
Despite this progress, maternal health in America remains in crisis. The U.S. has the worst maternal mortality rate among industrialized nations, with preventable complications claiming the lives of hundreds of women each year. Many of these deaths occur postpartum, after mothers have been discharged from the hospital with little to no follow-up care. The system is failing women at a time when they are most vulnerable.
The disparities are even more alarming among women of color. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, due to a combination of systemic racism, implicit bias in medical care, and social determinants of health. Addressing these inequities requires more than just awareness—it calls for action, policy change, and a commitment to dismantling the structural barriers that prevent women from receiving adequate care.
How Chébona is Supporting the Movement
At Chébona, we believe postpartum health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s why we offer a full range of postpartum products and services designed to support new mothers during this transformative stage. From nourishing meal delivery to lactation support, our mission is to ensure that no mother feels alone or unsupported in her postpartum journey.
Our signature product, Milky Max, is a testament to this commitment. Created to balance pH levels and boost milk supply, it harnesses the power of simple but mighty ingredients like Ceylon cinnamon, moringa, monk fruit, and shatavari—all chosen for their ability to optimize one another. We also recognize the critical role of gut health in postpartum recovery, which is why probiotics are a cornerstone of our offerings. A balanced gut contributes to hormone regulation, immune function, and overall well-being—everything a new mom needs to feel her best.
A Call to Action
America is waking up to the realities of maternal health, but we cannot afford to move at a glacial pace. The lives of mothers depend on systemic change, community support, and continued advocacy. If you are an expecting or new mother, know that you have options. Seek out the resources, demand better care, and surround yourself with a support system that honors your journey.
At Chébona, we are committed to being part of this revolution—one mother at a time.
Let’s keep pushing forward, together.
