Since the moment you received that first positive, birth and babies have been on your mind. You’re excited about the upcoming arrival of your little bundle of joy just 9 short months later and preparations are in full swing: registries are filled, the nursery is prepped, and the endless tips and tricks you’re offered are navigated through. You tackle your ever growing to-do list, hoping to get it all checked off in time. Amongst all the chaos and excitement it’s evident – this baby is already so, so loved.
With such joy and anticipation surrounding the arrival of your baby, it’s easy to forget that this momentous occasion is the doorway to something even greater: parenthood. That crib you set up will be filled with ten tiny toes that need swaddling, those middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks will become feeding sessions, and those aches and pains you’ve been feeling the past few months shift gears as you recover from the marathon of giving birth. A restful night’s sleep becomes redefined and showering becomes a luxury. When you’re so focused on the moment you welcome your baby into the world, it’s easy to forget about what happens once they’re in it.
Just like a birth plan is created to outline your goals and support needs for birth, a postpartum plan does the same for your postpartum period.
If you’ve never considered creating a postpartum plan before, now is a great time to do so. It helps you pin-point the things that are most important to you and ensures you have the support system in place to make them happen. Pregnancy and birth is only the beginning of a wild journey of love, discovery, and transformation and it’s essential to prepare for the road ahead. Here are five things to consider when creating your postpartum plan:
1. What kind of support will I need during the day?
On top of trying to care for your newborn, you have a home to care for, a partner to nurture, and a body to rest all while adapting to a new routine and limited sleep. Trying to manage all of this on your own can be exhausting and even frustrating. Consider the kind of support you’ll need in order to maintain the other things in life that need attention. Will you have family members stay with you for the first few weeks after baby arrives? Do you have a meal train in place or crockpot meals in the freezer so that you can focus on baby on not on cooking? Are you comfortable asking for help when you need it or would it be better to ask in advance? Take time to figure out how you might manage your daily life once baby arrives.
2. What kind of support will I need overnight?
Sleep when the baby sleeps is much easier said than done. When a home, partner, and body need attention you can easily find yourself in a chapter of a Pick-Your-Own-Adventure book: Baby is napping – turn to page 5 to take a shower, page 12 to clean the house. Your daily routine is turned upside down as you create your new normal, and with little rest during the day and a baby who only sleeps for short periods during the night, it’s easy to get exhausted, stressed, and frustrated. Take time to plan out ways to ensure some rest throughout the night. Will your husband take a feeding or two so you can continue to rest? Will you have hired help to care for the baby while you sleep, only waking you to breastfeed? Sleep is a necessary but often lacking part of parenthood, so make sure you determine ways to get the rest you need.
3. How will I ensure that I allow my body the time and rest it needs to recover?
Giving birth is like running a marathon – a physical exhausting event that requires endurance, strength, and many weeks to recover from. You could have stitches to heal from, swelling and tenderness, and up to 6 weeks of postpartum bleeding. Even if you are feeling great and don’t have any external signs of recovery, internally your uterus is working hard to return to its pre-pregnancy state and your body is adjusting to new and increased hormone levels. It’s essential to allow yourself and your body the time it needs to heal and adjust. Ask yourself: what are the most common postpartum ailments? What kind of products should I have at home in case I experience these? What kind of support will I need so that I can spend my first few weeks resting and recovering instead of running around cleaning and doing errands? Who can I call in the event I need unexpected assistance because recovery is taking longer than anticipated? It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of life after baby, so start planning your postpartum recovery and care plan now.
4. What aspects of my “previous life” do I want to maintain once baby has arrived?
We’ve all heard it before: “Having a baby changes things.” But just because some things change doesn’t mean everything has to. In fact, we find it incredibly important and healthy to maintain those parts of your life that make you, you. Do you have a hobby? Find a way to take an hour out of your day a few times a week to dedicate to it. Enjoy spending time outside? Discover some great stroller friendly walking trails and moms group you can participate in. Need a little pampering in your life? Add some postpartum massages and mani/pedi’s to your registry so you can get a little me-time after baby arrives. Take time now to consider those things you want to continue doing after baby arrives and set up the necessary support and systems to make them happen. One of the best things a new mom can do is take care of herself.
5. How will I maintain intimacy and communication with my partner?
Having a baby is a beautiful and exciting time in many couple’s lives, but it can also be challenging. With the baby taking up so much time and attention, it can be hard to focus on your relationship and growing together as a couple and new parents. Remember, you’re in this together so it’s essential to work as a team and set time aside to focus on each other. How will you ensure you’re spending the time you need to enjoy one another during this time? Perhaps set aside a night a week or each month to go on a date. Think about the kind of childcare you’ll need during this time and get that set up in advance. Can’t find time to get away? Consider things you can do together at home – order take-out from your favorite restaurant and rent a movie or catch up on your favorite show. Date night doesn’t have to be elaborate to be special.
Ensure a smooth transition to parenthood by creating your postpartum plan today.
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Need assistance or still not sure where to begin? Our postpartum doulas can help! Enjoy a complimentary consult with one of our incredible postpartum doulas to help determine your postartum needs and create a care plan perfectly tailored to you. Contact us today to learn more.