For this mini series on postpartum encouragement, I am teaming up with one of my close friends, Heather. She is a mom of five kiddos and is currently right in the middle of her own postpartum with her sweet baby, Jack. Heather was at two of my births and I was so thrilled to be her doula this time around. She is an incredible example to me and many others in glorifying God through the joys and challenges of motherhood. You can read her posts HERE.
Heather is also the author of “Expectant”, a book tailor-made for moms seeking to have a pregnancy that is grounded in truth and dependent on Jesus. This is a book you need in your personal library, whether you are a mom or not! It makes the perfect gift for an expectant mama (maybe along with a little chocolate, too!)
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I spent a lot of time preparing for her birth and gathering all the baby things. But after she was born, I wished that I had put a lot more time into preparing for the postpartum season. Once I was in the middle of everything, I realized that some simple, practical preparations would have helped make that transition and time a little smoother.
With my second baby, I was armed with the understanding gained during my first postpartum season. I was amazed at the difference between those two postpartum seasons, even though the second time around, I also had a busy little toddler to care for! The time I spent planning, praying, and preparing for the special season after giving birth was a blessing to our whole family.
Our third little one is now ten months old and with each postpartum experience, I’ve learned a little more about how to practically walk out this season in a grace-filled way. I’ve also been able to glean from my experiences supporting mamas and their families as a birth doula. I’m excited to share some of what I’ve learned along the way!
Planning for your postpartum season doesn’t mean that you won’t have hard days or that every moment will be perfect. However, I believe that understanding postpartum and how we can support our minds, bodies, and hearts during this time can help you thrive during these first few months as a new mom… whether it’s your first or fifth baby.
What does ‘postpartum’ mean?
The word ‘postpartum’ simply means “following childbirth”. It describes a specific season— the days, weeks, and months after a mom gives birth to her baby. The first three months postpartum is sometimes called the ‘fourth trimester’. I personally love the idea of the fourth trimester because it is a reminder that even though the three trimesters of pregnancy have come to an end, a mom still needs to give thought to taking special care of herself these first few months.
What kind of changes does a mom experience during postpartum?
Just as a mom undergoes incredible physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy in order to sustain a baby in her womb and then give birth, she also experiences a whole host of changes after giving birth.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes:
The weeks following birth are a critical period for a woman and her infant, setting the stage for long-term health and well-being. During this period, a woman is adapting to multiple physical, social, and psychological changes. She is recovering from childbirth, adjusting to changing hormones, and learning to feed and care for her newborn.
(Read the full article here.)
Though some of these can be uncomfortable or just completely foreign the first time around, these changes do serve a purpose. Some of these include but are not limited to:
- Your uterus. Pre-pregnancy, it is the size of an orange and stretches to hold your baby and placenta. As it gradually shrinks down to its normal size in the first few days after birth, you will often feel this happening in the form of cramping or “after-birth pains”. This is the uterus working to clamp down blood vessels that were once attached to the placenta. Your uterus will also expel lochia, a bloody discharge, for up to six to eight weeks after birth. Your lochia will change in color and flow as your uterus returns to normal.
- Your perineum. If you had a vaginal birth, your perineum will likely feel tender, sore, and swollen after being stretched while your baby was birthed. Sometimes perineal tears occur during birth and may require stitches. This might sound a little scary, but thankfully, there are lots ways to keep you comfortable as you heal in this area.
- Your hormones. While certain hormones like progesterone and estrogen were running at a high level during your pregnancy, these drop quickly after the placenta is delivered. The hormones prolactin and oxytocin take center stage in support of breastfeeding, bonding, and healing. This big adjustment in hormones can manifest in temporary changes like hot flashes, moodiness, crying easily, and anxiety. (Note: While these temporary hormonal changes are a normal part of postpartum, there are more serious postpartum challenges that require professional medical support. If you have any concerns, talk to your care provider and learn more here.)
- Your breasts. While you probably noticed some changes happening in your breasts during pregnancy, your breasts are now working hard to provide nutrition for your baby. Even if you aren’t planning to breastfeed your baby, you will undergo some breast changes after giving birth. For the first few days, your breasts will secrete colostrum, a thick, nutrient-rich liquid that is baby’s first milk. This will then transition to the production of mature milk. As you teach your baby to latch properly, learn comfortable breastfeeding positions, and establish your milk supply, you may experience sore nipples, engorgement, and leaking. All of these will resolve in time as you settle into a rhythm. (We’ll talk more about this, but if for some reason you are struggling with breastfeeding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your care provider or a lactation professional.)
Note: Some changes a mom faces will be specific to her birth experience. For example, in the case of a cesarean birth (which is a major abdominal surgery), a mom will also have the challenges of an extended recovery time, caring for her incision, and limited mobility as she heals.
What are some basic needs of a postpartum mom?
While these needs will vary depending on a mom’s individual health, pregnancy, and birth outcome, the following are things that most every mom will benefit from during the fourth trimester.
- Rest
- A slower pace of daily life
- Nourishing foods and hydration
- Lifegiving community
- Tools to help heal, comfort, and nurture her body after giving birth
- A comfortable environment that facilitates this time of healing and rest
Over the next couple weeks, I’ll be taking a closer look at the changes and needs of a postpartum mom and sharing practical tips to help you prepare for your own grace-filled postpartum!
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