So here's the thing mumas, most of us will plan right up to the birth and not beyond!! But your fourth trimester deserves a plan and at least some prep, here are some of my top tips...
SUPPORT: It's okay to ask for help, we aren't meant to do everything by ourselves. The best way to be our best selves is to get help when we need it. List professionals who can help with he different issues that arise. Find the phone numbers of local breastfeeding supports / clinics & groups now. Swap numbers with your antenatal friends, join Facebook support groups. Surround yourself with people that lift you up and share messages you want to hear.
HIBERNATE: Postpartum is a time to rest, heal and get to know your new baby, while you learn to navigate motherhood. Everyone feels slightly different in their postpartum journeys, some recover quickly, while others take longer to heal. Its a good idea to rest as much as possible for the first few weeks to allow your body recover wrap your new family up in your own bubble and stay at home.
VISITORS: Set boundaries for visitors, send messages now to friends and family, explaining that you would like some time to yourselves before you have visitors. Ok this may feel awkward, but your new family deserves the time to get to know one another before you introduce them to anyone else.
REST: This is not a time to start exercising right away, go back to work or take on a renovation project!! Plan ahead make some meals for the freezer, ask for help, don't put pressure on yourself to sleep. Rest can mean sitting on the sofa watching a film, take a bath, have a shower, avoid social media its a minefield of unrealistic expectations!!
MENTAL HEALTH: The postpartum period can be a very vulnerable time, having to recover from birth, adjusting to new life with a baby, try to get an adequate amount of sleep, hormones regulating. Talk to your partner now about your mental health, about how you are feeling. Your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of, check your thoughts every so often, journal about them or confide in someone you trust about what your feeling
We can't always predict what our postpartum experience will be, but we can however try to prepare as much as possible for potential struggles or obstacles. Our Hypnobirthing courses covers the Postpartum Prep Guide giving you a full comprehensive look at the postpartum period and how to cope.
Join one of our courses today and prep the right way!
Donna x
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