Postpartum University® Podcast · Maranda Bower, Postpartum Nutrition Specialist

The Missing Partner in Postpartum Care: Why Excluding Fathers Harms Maternal Health | Eric Stein EP 241

November 11, 2025·30 min·1 clip

The postpartum care system is failing, leaving countless mothers struggling.

This episode of the Postpartum University® Podcast features host Miranda Bauer and guest Eric Stein, co-founder of the postpartum meal delivery service Restorative Roots, discussing the critical role of fathers in postpartum care. They explore how the systemic exclusion of partners from maternal healthcare negatively impacts maternal mental and physical health. Eric shares his personal journey through three births with his wife, Holly, highlighting how his involvement evolved. A central topic is the tangible cost of sidelining partners, which Eric identifies as increased maternal anxiety and a hindered sense of safety for the mother. The conversation critiques standard provider practices, noting that partners are often only addressed in the context of abuse screening, missing broader relational support. Eric emphasizes that providers can better include partners by tailoring communication to their style, whether through audio, phone calls, or direct conversation rather than just emails. He recounts a pivotal moment in his own third postpartum period where his wife broke down, revealing that she needed his presence more than his constant "robot mode" of tasks. A surprising insight is Eric's admission that during his first child's birth, he told himself a "story" that he couldn't take more time off work, a narrative he later realized was untrue and detrimental. The episode notes that many men enter fatherhood unprepared because they lack role models, as this knowledge isn't traditionally passed down from father to son. Eric advocates strongly for men to join men's groups, where he gained transformative perspectives on masculine leadership and emotional support. He defines "masculine leadership in birth" as showing up prepared, advocating for the mother, and ensuring the home is calm and ready. The tone is a conversational and vulnerable dialogue, blending personal anecdotes with practical advice for both families and healthcare providers. Listeners interested in holistic postpartum care, improving family dynamics, and inclusive healthcare models will find this episode valuable. Those seeking a purely clinical or data-driven discussion on postpartum health might find the focus on relational and gendered dynamics less aligned with their interests.

As heard by us

Postpartum care gets stronger when the partner is included in the recovery conversation.

The discussion makes a steady case that postpartum care can leave mothers carrying too much alone when the partner is treated as an afterthought.

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Why you'd press play

You want postpartum advice that includes your partner, not just your symptoms.

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