Postpartum is part of pregnancy. It is 6 to 8 weeks after having a baby. For a new mom, these weeks can be very stressful, challenging, and confusing for new moms. Read on for great postpartum stress survival tips to make this precious new mother/child transitional period less stressful, less traumatic, easier, and more enjoyable for you and your new baby.
As a midwife, I put a lot of thought and effort into my pregnancy and birthing experience. My first son was born at home in a birthing pool surrounded by people I loved. But none of my midwifery knowledge prepared me for the first few weeks after having a baby. For me, the postpartum part of pregnancy was very stressful and physically challenging. I had a long labor and every part of my body hurt. It felt like I had been hit by a truck. I share with you some post-delivery stress-reducing survival tips that made the end of my second pregnancy more enjoyable.
Arrange help for the household chores:
Believe me; you will be too exhausted to keep up with everything postpartum. Don't be afraid to ask for help during your pregnancy or request a home cleaning gift certificate as a great baby shower gift that can be used after having a baby.
Stock your freezer with pre-cooked meals:
New moms get hungry at odd hours and it is not unusual to be too tired to cook.
Schedule chiropractic adjustments during the first week postpartum:
Pregnancy and childbirth move many of your pelvic bones out of alignment (even if you have a cesarean section birth). Use the expertise of your chiropractor to realign your pelvis, hips, and back. This will definitely expedite your recovery following birth.
Have a good supply of large sanitary napkins and adult diapers in your hospital bag and at home.
I am not kidding! After pregnancy new moms will experience very heavy bleeding and regular sanitary towels will not do the job. Most hospitals give new moms cheap sanitary towels postpartum. This will also save your bed linen from being destroyed.
Sleep when your baby sleeps.
As a new mom postpartum be prepared to be exhausted. Take every opportunity to sleep whenever your baby sleeps.
Don't be afraid to cry (and don't worry about it).
Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum result in changing levels of hormones. After childbirth, there is a rapid decrease in hormones that occurs approximately on the third, fifth and tenth day. These hormone adjustments can be emotionally challenging for the mother. You may cry for no apparent reason so let it out and know this is all part of a normal pregnancy postpartum.
Supplement with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are breastfeeding safe:
Every organ and system in your body is under a lot of physical stress postpartum as they attempt to return to their normal nonpregnancy state. High-quality vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are safe for breastfeeding will provide the foundation to prevent post-delivery complications and result in an overall better pregnancy experience.
Having a new baby is a wonderful time in a woman's life. Knowing the above plan ahead and think of ways to support yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually ahead of time before you are all consumed with your new baby. I am a great believer in the good internal health of the body for optimum health and pretension of stress, sickness, disease, and depression. I highly recommend all pregnant and new moms supplement with high-quality vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to support the many challenges of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.
Motherhood can be an extraordinary, yet exhausting experience for a woman. Pregnancy has a huge emotional, mental, spiritual, and energetic side to it. The more you understand these aspects, the easier and less symptomatic your pregnancy and postpartum will be. Learning how to connect with the emotions of your new baby will allow you to enhance your postpartum experience and create a strong bond between you and your baby. It will also allow your baby to be more content and be an easier child to manage.
If you are facing any emotional challenges after having a baby then you are not alone. Then please do not be afraid to reach out for help and seek professional support, remember your baby has picked you out of all the mothers in the world to be his or her mother. Once you have made the adjustments to motherhood, you will be a great mother!
Midwife Hannah Bajor C.N.M., M.S.N. is the founder, CEO, and Visionary behind the Lumalove® brand of getting pregnant, pregnancy, infertility, and miscarriage educational support products and services.
Hannah says "knowing my life's purpose gives one a huge advantage". Her 30 years of midwifery experience along with her personal journey through ten years of infertility, having personally experienced a 16-week miscarriage and a near-death experience delivering her second child has lit a fire in her soul that NO ONE can put out and that is to "change childbirth education as we know it".
Lumalove LLC helps couples globally access new and dynamic prenatal education and in doing so lays the foundational blueprints for a happier, healthier pregnancy outcome and gives their unborn child the opportunity of unlimited potential.
Take advantage of her FREE offer to self-assess what energy centers may be out of balance and add to the challenges of adjusting to motherhood. To get your FREE Lumalove Self Assessment Of Your Energy
Centers to click on http://www.LumaloveGettingPregnant.com