Frequently asked questions

Postpartum care is dedicated support for a mother and her baby after birth, helping the mother recover, the baby thrive, and the whole family adjust to life with a newborn. Trained postpartum care providers offer breastfeeding support during those often challenging first days, holistic support for the mother's physical recovery and emotional wellbeing, and a safe space to process her birth experience.

They also help parents build confidence in caring for their newborn, from feeding, bathing and changing to safe sleep practices, without taking over. Providers monitor the baby's wellbeing, including feeding, nappies, weight and temperature, and recognise warning signs that may need medical attention. From preparing nourishing meals to maintaining household hygiene, they help create the space a mother needs to rest, recover and bond with her baby.

Family plays a precious role after birth. Your mum, partner or loved ones can offer emotional support, help with cooking and cleaning, and care for your baby while you rest. Their love and support are invaluable, and postpartum care is not intended to replace them.

However, caring for a mother and newborn after birth requires specific knowledge and skills. A trained postpartum care provider can offer breastfeeding support, help you understand your recovery, and recognise potential warning signs in both you and your baby. While family members draw on their own experiences, a trained provider brings knowledge and experience supporting mothers and babies through different postpartum journeys. It's not about choosing between family and professional care — it's about giving yourself the best of both.

In 2026, postpartum care in South Africa typically costs between R300 and R400 per hour, depending on the provider's experience and services offered. Some providers offer additional services, such as meal preparation or baby massage, at an extra cost. Providers who are newer to the field or completing their practical training may charge less.

When you click ‘Apply for care’, we'll find 2–3 available providers in your area around your due date and share their hourly rates with you, so you can compare your options and choose the provider who best suits your needs and budget.

We generally recommend around 4 hours of support each day for the first 7 days after birth, or from when you return home from the hospital. You can then continue into the second week with visits every other day. Every mother's needs are different, though, and we'll work with you to find an arrangement that suits your circumstances and budget.

We recommend arranging your care during pregnancy so we can match you with an available provider around your due date. Leaving it until after birth can make finding someone available more difficult, adding unnecessary stress during an already overwhelming time. Our goal is to help you organise your support before your baby arrives, so you can focus on recovering, bonding with your baby and settling into life as a family.

Simply click Apply for care to book a short call with us. We'll discuss your pregnancy, birth plan, budget and the support you'll need after birth, including your preferred language, cultural or religious preferences, family circumstances and any specific recovery needs.

We'll then find 2–3 care providers in your area who are available around your due date and share their profiles with you. We'll arrange a virtual meeting with your preferred providers, which we'll also attend, so you can find someone you're comfortable with. If you'd like to proceed, we'll coordinate the payment and stay involved throughout your care to help ensure a positive experience. Once your care is complete, you'll leave a review, and the provider will receive their full payment in accordance with our payment process.

Unfortunately, postpartum care is not currently a standard medical aid benefit in South Africa. We're working to change this by advocating for postpartum care to be recognised as an essential part of maternal healthcare, as it is in countries such as the Netherlands.

If you need postpartum care but are worried about the cost, please reach out to us. We're building a donation fund to help make care accessible to mothers who cannot afford it, with the support of generous donors. While we can't guarantee funding at this stage, we'd love to hear from you and explore whether we can help.

Absolutely! Gifting postpartum care is one of the most meaningful ways to support an expectant or new mother. You can create a gift voucher or click Apply for care to arrange a call with us. We'll work with you to find the right care and support for the mother you want to help.

Ubuntu Mama manages the payment process to help ensure care providers are fairly compensated and you have peace of mind. We work in partnership with our providers and don't charge mothers a commission — the hourly rate shared in your provider profiles is the rate you'll pay. Providers receive their full payment by the end of the care, in line with our payment arrangement.

We also check in with you throughout your care to make sure everything is going well. If you're unhappy with your provider, you can tell us. We'll work with you to find a suitable replacement or, if you prefer, arrange a refund for the unused portion of your booking. You'll also have the opportunity to leave a review, helping us maintain accountability and improve the experience for other mothers.

Postpartum care providers on Ubuntu Mama must hold a certification from the Postpartum Academy South Africa or another organisation we've vetted. The Postpartum Academy is part of the Ubuntu Mama organisation, and we've partnered with Jacky Bloemraad-de Boer, a midwife with over 30 years of experience in maternal health, to deliver specialised training.

Unlike a nanny or domestic worker, a postpartum care provider is specifically trained to support a mother's recovery, breastfeeding and emotional wellbeing, as well as her newborn's early needs. Their role complements, rather than replaces, medical professionals such as nurses and doctors. Our aim is to bring the standard of specialised postpartum care available in countries like the Netherlands to mothers in South Africa.

Want to learn more? Visit our Postpartum Academy page to explore the training and certification.

If you're already a trained postpartum care provider and would like to join the Ubuntu Mama network, click Apply Now and complete our registration form.

If you're interested in becoming a postpartum care provider, you can also use the same form to register your interest or visit the Postpartum Academy page in our menu to learn more about the training, what's included and the costs involved.