Of the entire maternity care cycle, the postpartum period occupies the lowest priority in practice, teaching, and research. Despite this, data from research outside the United States show that health problems after birth are very common, may persist over time, and are often under-recognized by care providers. Women's health would be favorably impacted by updating patterns of postpartum care, and by obtaining baseline population data in midwifery practices on the extent of postnatal morbidity.