References
Our guidance is based on public health guidelines and published research. Guidance changes over time, so always check with your doctor.
- World Health Organization (2022). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience.
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045989 - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2020). Committee Opinion No. 804: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period - Goom T, Donnelly G, Brockwell E (2019). Returning to running postnatal: guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals.
https://absolute.physio/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/returning-to-running-postnatal-guidelines.pdf - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2021). NG210: Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng210 - NHS. Your post-pregnancy body (pelvic floor exercises, separated stomach muscles).
https://www.nhs.uk/baby/support-and-services/your-post-pregnancy-body/ - NHS. Your body after the birth.
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/your-body/ - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HEAR HER campaign: Urgent maternal warning signs.
https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/maternal-warning-signs/index.html - Upadhyay RP et al. (2017). Postpartum depression in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29147043/ - Mughal S, Azhar Y, Siddiqui W. Perinatal Depression. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519070/ - MBRRACE-UK (2025), reported by the Maternal Mental Health Alliance: mental health conditions including suicide are the leading cause of late maternal deaths (6 weeks to 1 year after pregnancy).
https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/news/mbrrace-2025-suicide-leading-cause-maternal-death/ - Postpartum Support International. Understanding perinatal OCD.
https://postpartum.net/perinatal-ocd-part-i/ - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Tele MANAS (14416).
https://telemanas.mohfw.gov.in/ - ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (2020). Nutrient Requirements for Indians: a brief note (extra energy and protein during lactation).
https://www.nin.res.in/rdabook/brief_note.pdf - ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (2024). Dietary Guidelines for Indians.
https://nin.res.in/dietaryguidelines/pdfjs/locale/DGI_2024.pdf - National Health Mission, Government of India. Anemia Mukt Bharat (IFA for 180 days after delivery).
https://www.nhm.tn.gov.in/en/nhm-programsrmncha/anemia-mukt-bharat-amb - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maternal diet and breastfeeding (caffeine, extra calories).
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html - U.S. FDA and EPA. Advice about eating fish.
https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish - Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (2018). Clinical Protocol #9: Use of galactogogues in initiating or augmenting maternal milk production.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29902083/ - American Diabetes Association (2025). Standards of Care in Diabetes, Section 15: Management of Diabetes in Pregnancy.
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S306/157565/15-Management-of-Diabetes-in-Pregnancy-Standards - American Academy of Pediatrics (2022). Updated safe sleep recommendations.
https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/20619/New-safe-sleep-recommendations-can-help
Important
These sources inform our general education content. They don't mean these organisations endorse MotherRise. Always consult your doctor for advice about your own health. See our medical disclaimer.