The Questions People Don't Ask About Postpartum

As a birth a postpartum doula, I naturally get asked questions.
Most commonly asked questions are about breastfeeding, baby products, and postpartum products.
Those are good questions and I am happy to answer them.

But the postpartum isn’t only about breastfeeding and your baby and your perineum.
The postpartum is deep and vast and is about your whole body recovery, hormonal balance, replenishing your nutrients, and rediscovering yourself.

Postpartum recovery
Image by Dominika Buck with Above and Beyond Doula Care & Birth Photography

You see, the postpartum has been quite neglected in our society. Most of the time when you ask your provider about how to eat in the postpartum, they tell you to just eat normal, as you ate before pregnancy.  And do you even ask? Is that something you even think about? 

Nobody, other than possibly your doula, will ask you about your plans for the postpartum.

 

When I mention postpartum, everyone imagines the first couple days or weeks… the soreness of your bottom or incision, the bleeding, the baby snuggles, the emotional rollercoaster, the leaking breasts… and so on.

But do we ever stop to think about how huge the event of childbirth is for your body?
How it affects the processes of your body, how it changes you, how much internal healing is going on, and how desperately your body needs your support?

It is because of the lack of attention and education about postpartum, that the common understanding is, that postpartum is hard.

So if you’re pregnant or even if you’re planning to get pregnant, you can already start educating yourself about postpartum and planning according to that new found knowledge.

" What if, instead of saying and expecting that postpartum is hard, we can say that postpartum is blissful, life transforming and abundant? "

Here are some questions I wish people asked me about postpartum.

  1. What type of support will I need from my community and how can I get the support I need?
     

         Think about what it takes to manage your household. Help with older children? Cleaning the house? Cooking meals for the family? Ask your friends for specific physical help or financial help to hire a professional for these tasks.

         Think about what will you need for yourself? How can you get a break? What activity fills you up and what or who do you need, to make it possible for you to do?

         How can you maximize the quantity of your sleep ?

  2. What should I eat in postpartum?

         In my opinion, the postpartum diet is even more demanding than pregnancy diet.
         Think about foods high in fat, protein and other nutrients that are easily digestible, so your body can actually receive and process the nutrients. Avoid anything that’s processed and inflammatory to not over-burden your body.
    I teach a class on Postpartum Recovery Nutrition. You can find more information about it here.

  3. How can I support my hormones and mental health?

    First of all, proper postpartum nutrition is a must. Quantity of sleep is necessary. Decreasing the amount of stress in your life and increasing the times of peace and happiness will allow your body to function properly.

  4. How can I support my hormones and mental health?
     

    First of all, proper postpartum nutrition is a must. Quantity of sleep is necessary. Decreasing the amount of stress in your life and increasing the times of peace and happiness will allow your body to function properly.

  5. How can I support my body in physical recovery?
     

    Once again, nutrition and rest is crucial. Herbs and some extra supplements can help with healing and nutrient replenishment but that can not replace proper nutrition. Have patience with your body and realistic expectations on what you can and cannot do… or should and shouldn’t do.

postpartum nourishment and wellness
Image by Dominika Buck with Above and Beyond Doula Care & Birth Photography

I will cover and answer these questions more in depth in the future posts.

If you take anything from reading this, please remember how much there IS to know about postpartum. Ask the hard and deep questions. And set up support for yourself to aid in your recovery and wellness in the early months or even years of the postpartum season.

The support may look different for everyone. For some it can be family and friends.

For others it can look like hiring a postpartum doula.

But to experience a long-term, in depth healing and wellness, one on one coaching support with the preparation before and/or the healing journey after childbirth may be the right thing for YOU!

Motherhood is full and can feel overwhelming. Sometimes we just need someone to help us sort through the feelings, set some goals and put some achievable steps towards recovery, wellness and abundance into place.
And I’d happily help with that. I’ve walked the journey. I can walk it with you too. You are NOT alone. And motherhood should NOT be hard.

 

If you need support on the journey of healing in the first couple years of postpartum, OR if you’re pregnant and determined to OWN your postpartum and motherhood experience, reach out now.
Let’s schedule a call and see if one on one support is something that would benefit you.

Reach out NOW!