Postpartum Planning
Do I need a postpartum plan?
Expectant couples can spend months researching their perfect birth. They need to decide the birth place, healthcare professional, doulas, and birth
photographers, etc. Often times a lot of time and money are allotted to creating a great birth plan. While all of those aspects are sincerely important
many expectant couples fail to consider the postpartum period. The postpartum period can take mothers and families by surprise. According to a recent
article, (Christiansen, 2014), Utah had the highest rate of mental illness in the nation. Many of us may not have expected the sleepless nights, endless
crying, sore body, sore breasts and completely dependent creature we were bringing home. Many of us may not have expected to experience a mood
disorder, postpartum depression or anxiety. While the new mom may also be healing from a vaginal birth or cesarean birth she and her family still need
to be cared for. Meals need to be made, the house cleaned, dishes and laundry done, naps taken, mom well rested, feed, supported and other children
care for (insert plug for postpartum doulas:). Because the postpartum period inhabits so much and lasts for months if not years it’s essential to plan
accordingly.
How can you make a postpartum plan?
Although a postpartum plan is similar to a birth plan, here are a few additional things to consider…
- Who can offer assistance either by rallying family or friends or hiring a postpartum doula to support you.
- How long your partner will be off work to bond with baby and help mom.
- Who can help schedule the delivery of meals.
- Who can transport older children to and from school?
- Plan dates and travel arrangements for out of town family visits.
- Decide who can come pick up toddlers and have playdates while you rest.
- Can you pay for a housecleaning service?
- How long will your maternity leave be?
- Do you need to pump extra while on maternity leave to have a milk storage?
- Do you need to start interviewing nanny’s or daycare providers?
- Things to get done at home before baby arrives…
- Prepare a bunch of freezer meals. Fill your freezer!
- Buy a lot of healthy snacks to keep on hand when mom isn’t able to cook.
- Wash and organize all the baby’s laundry.
- Create a feeding area with a water bottle, snack supplies, books, phone charger, magazines, etc.
- Talk to older siblings about you new addition. Enjoy the everyday moments!
Tobie Baxter-Spears
Certified Postpartum Doula