Before being pregnant, I didn’t know much about babies or being pregnant or being a mother. I think I knew what the average person knows and sees from movies and some info from high school classes. Basically, I believed labor hurt a lot, babies cry, moms breastfeed their babies and you buy a bunch of baby items. That’s it.
I started looking into what happens during pregnancy once I knew I was pregnant. I first looked up what happens to my body. How does it change each week and each month? What I should eat and shouldn’t. What items I should buy for baby. And most importantly to me back then was how to get through labor naturally.
At that time, I was so focused on getting through labor because I was terrified. I didn’t look up anything about postpartum or sought out education for that season I would enter. Boy I wish I did. And that is part of the reason why I help moms today!
So, because of my lack of knowledge and googling late at night tendencies during my first season of postpartum, I will tell you a few things I wish I knew or did before having my baby.
1) Get a birth doula
I wish I had a doula at my second birth. Having a doula helps reduce anxiety, depression, fear, c sections, inductions, epidurals and pain overall. I definitely needed more information and to reduce stress. And a doula can help with those things virtually or in person!
2) Get a postpartum doula
Most people have heard of birth doulas. But many havent heard of postpartum doulas. Or families tend to only use doulas as a night time help with baby. But postpartum doulas can help with so much more! Not only with in person assistance with holding baby, light cleaning, meal prep. But postpartum doulas can help virtually as well with breastfeeding issues, emotional help, coaching on transitions back to work and daycare and with pumping! Doulas are helpful in reducing postpartum anxiety and depression because someone is there to listen to you and hear you vent! Doulas can help you think through what may be causing you stress and finding solutions so you can be the best balanced mom for yourself and baby!
3) Take the right childbirth class !
Yes. Take the RIGHT birth class. A lot of classes out there are very technical and not very practical. I attend some classes that went over the stages of labor, which is helpful, but it didn’t go into practical tips on positions, doulas, pushing, laboring at home, breastfeeding. I (Dr. Alison) have a labor prep class that reviews all practical tips for your specific labor. It is completely live and virtual and tailored to your situation. Check it out in my services page!
4) You don’t need a lot of stuff for a baby
You definitely don’t need much. Maybe I’m more of a minimalist than I thought. But the basics that you need are follows: burp cloths, blanket, carrier, onesies, socks, hat, diapers, wipes, pump, milk freezer bags (formula if not breastfeeding), bottles, bottle cleaner, bassinet car seat, car seat cover. That’s about it. The rest you can get along the way as baby grows.
5) Reach out for mental help
After all those visits with your care provider during pregnancy, once baby is born you only get ONE visit at 6 weeks! Isn’t that crazy!!! And they your sleep deprived, and you have to answer a tiny questionnaire about depression. I mean maybe you have cried a few times but you aren’t sure if your depressed or its baby blues. You may feel ashamed if you speak up and say maybe you would like to talk to someone. So you keep quiet. And that was your chance. No more checkups. It shouldn’t be that way. That is another reason why doulas in postpartum are helpful. Someone is there checking in on you and can help you feel comfortable to talk with your medical team about finding a mental health therapist that specializes in postpartum mood disorders.
6) Find a pelvic floor PT during pregnancy
This is a must. Even if you just go for a checkup and evaluation to make sure you are contracting your pelvic floor correctly and to know what to look for if an issue arises. This is better than waiting months and realizing that Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy can help with leaking urine, pelvic pain, pain with sex and, prolapse.
7) Eat more plant based
Changing my lifestyle to a whole food plant based diet has helped with constipation, pain, anxiety, depression and healing in my body over all. I wished I learned about this sooner because I feel like this could have helped my postpartum be a bit smoother.
So those are my tips! I hope these have been helpful and encouraging along your motherhood journey.
Take care,
Dr. Alison