Why is it that thinking about investing in your postpartum period feels a little strange? A little indulgent? Why does it feel like after pregnancy & giving birth, we are conditioned into thinking our postpartum is the finish line when really it is just the beginning?
Not only are new parents learning, loving & looking after their new baby (on very little sleep!) but a new mother is also trying to heal & recover after being pregnant & giving birth. There are so many significant changes during this time that include physical, hormonal and emotional that it is just so important to acknowledge it all.
Set your vision of support
Clarifies what kind of support you will want and what you need to put in place to help make you feel more supported, loved, nourished and nurtured when you are taking care of your baby.
When you are holding your baby, who will be holding you (and your partner)?
You will be going through physical changes
Your body changes so drastically during pregnancy, it has kept your beautiful baby healthy and safe for nine months and after birth it continues to change.
Everything is changing and during your postpartum, combine that with sleep deprivation and learning all about a new little human in your life, it is so important to give yourself some grace by resting and nourishing your body so that it can recover.
By planning to rest and recover, you make it a priority.
You will be going through emotional changes
Hormones & emotions feel like they are at an all time high during postpartum - well did you know that they actually drastically plummet!?
During pregnancy, hormones increase dramatically, peaking during childbirth, and then after birth dramatically drop back down (an estimated 1,000% change over the course of only five days). During postpartum, mood swings, crying, anxiety, sleep issues, feelings of overwhelm etc may occur.
By educating yourself before you are in the thick of postpartum, you can be aware of what is going on within your body as well as knowing what to keep an eye out for and exactly what professionals to speak to if you feel worse or if things do not improve.
Better communication
Communication really is key.
By knowing what options are available, you will be able to have a clearer idea about what you will need to best support you and therefore be able to better communicate this to your partner, family and friends.
Also by communicating beforehand, you can discuss your own different views, ideas, parenting expectations, etc and work through these a little before it happens.
You deserve it
Becoming a mother is a big deal. It is a huge transition and it should be acknowledged.
The thing is life with a new baby is unpredictable - by educating yourself, knowing your options and organising support around you in your postpartum, you are setting yourself up for an empowered matrescence journey - even when things don’t go to “plan.”
Life with a new baby can be unpredictable, it doesn’t always go to “plan” but by knowing your options, educating yourself and prioritising support & rest, it can make the transition a lot smoother.
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