Prepare For The Postpartum Period A postpartum period or postnatal period is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about six weeks. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the postpartum period as the most critical and yet the most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and babies. The postpartum period can be a trying time- there are sleepless nights, hormones causing your emotions to range from anger and depression to exhilaration and joy and the physical healing that needs to happen after a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. Having a plan for the first six weeks of your life as mother is critical for your health and healing. Do I Have A Good Support System? Postpartum care will be different …show more content…
Besides the above suggestions to help your body heal here are some other things that you can do to ease your transition into motherhood. *Wear pajamas or lounge wear at home- You will be nursing a lot and there will be frequent wake up calls in the night nursing or not. By wearing your pajamas or loungewear, especially if it is something that you do not normally wear during the day, will help remind you to rest and sleep when possible. It will also remind any visitors that you have that you need rest right now. *Take Any Offer of Help- If someone offers to bring food let them. If a visitor asks if they can do anything while they are at your house give them a job. Have someone pick up your groceries, run errands for you, etc. *Make Time for Yourself- Have your husband take over the evening chores. He can manage the other children, set the table or just cuddle the baby (Dad’s need bonding time too!) while you take a bath or a shower, workout or do anything that refreshes you. If you are a single mom ask one of your support people to give you a break while you get some alone