Planning For Postpartum

Allowing mothers to properly heal emotionally, mentally, & physically postpartum gives them & their families a leg up long term.

Mothers having space & support to fully process all their body has gone through, any trauma they’ve experienced, & the transition into motherhood allows them to be more present & whole with their partner & child(ren).

Healing is not just about hitting some arbitrary time marker. Healing is bone deep. Healing takes time & intentionality.

Not planning for or taking the time & effort to heal completely can lead to improper healing, depletion of nutrients leading to other issues, unresolved trauma, resentment, or long-term anxiety or depression.

Helping you plan & consider your postpartum healing, recovery, & support system is as important to me when working with you as planning for labor & birth.

Healing on emotional levels, the recovery of your physical body,

& compassionate support from your community.

Areas to Consider When Planning For Postpartum:

Sleep & Rest

Less or disrupted sleep is inevitable with a newborn. But not getting adequate rest for your sleep requirement consistently over a long period of time can have intense negative effects (physically & mentally) and ultimately be dangerous. 

It is imperative to have a plan for how you will get a good amount of sleep. It shouldn’t be “someday you’ll sleep again” - it's about getting people involved to help and be there for you and your baby. Your partner, family, friends, or a postpartum doula you hire can step in to help you get enough sleep.

Physical Recovery

How have you planned for your physical recovery (for either vaginal or c-section birth)?

There are many holistic ways to support physical recovery including herbs, sitz baths, basic self-care, & REST.

Overdoing it in the postpartum period should not be part of your plan - but it’s easy to do. Cleaning the house, caring for the baby, caring for other children, caring for pets, doctor’s appointments, making meals, and hosting visitors. It can really get in the way of full physical recovery.

Lactation / Infant Feeding

How do you plan to feed your baby? Why is this your choice? (I’ve said it before - I think it’s really important to dig into your ‘whys’ for your decisions).

What support do you have in place for this type of feeding - lactation consultant, family support, supplies ready?

Nourishment

Do you have nutritious meals prepared and ready-to-go snacks available? Do you have someone that can set up a meal train for you?

The postpartum time is a delicate time in terms of digestion and nutrient needs. Your intestines have been shifted for many months, your hormones are shifting more than at any other time in your life, and your nutrient needs (especially if you are breastfeeding) are higher than in pregnancy.

Postpartum is not the time to be forgetting to eat or to stop taking your prenatal multi. 

Other Considerations

Who can you call if you are struggling mentally / emotionally?

Who will be helping with the other children?

Who will do the cleaning?

What is important to maintain your relationship with your partner?

Who will run the errands?

What does your partner expect or think the postpartum period will look like? 

It can be hard to ask for help. Women can feel like asking for help is a bad thing, a failure. But no one is supposed to do motherhood alone.

Whether you are pregnant or have already had your baby, get ahead of or halt the stress & overwhelm.

When we work together, we won’t just make a birth plan, we will also make a postpartum plan. As a labor doula, nutrition coach, & movement instructor, I will help you consider things you may not have thought of.

You can also book a free consultation to talk to me virtually, have your questions answered, and hire me as your doula.

As a doula, nutrition coach, & movement instructor, I can help you consider & plan for things you may not have thought of.

Serving Jefferson County NY and parts of Lewis & St. Lawrence Counties. Watertown, Carthage, Lowville, Fort Drum,

& the Thousand Islands area.