Postpartum Planning

By Sita Payne Romero

Planning ahead for the time when you are home with your new baby is essential.  You will need to spend time
recovering from childbirth, and will need some help around the house.  Here are some guidelines for the first
two weeks following an uneventful (no complications) birth.  In the case of twins, prolonged or difficult labor
and birth, anemia, cesarean section, maternal hemorrhage or severe perineal lacerations, the postpartum
plan should allow extra time for care and recovery.  

Here are some things you can do ahead of time to prepare:
•        Choose a health care provider for your baby.
•        Plan for physical help.  Hire, bribe or barter the services of a strong, mentally positive person to
      do household chores.  This person should be able to see what needs doing and do it without
      needing lots of direction.  There is to be no guilt involved with having this person!  Sometimes Dad
      may have to fill this role, but ideally, it should be someone that the baby doesn’t have to share.  
      Dads are tired too!
•        Inform close friends and family when visiting privileges will begin after birth.  Think about when you
      will want visitors, for what length of time, how many at a time, age limit, etc.   
•        Make a list of things your family likes to eat.  Post this list on the refrigerator.  This provides a
      quick answer to people who are offering to bring a meal.  If you have some last trimester energy,
      you can freeze meals ahead of time and stock up on non-perishables.  Use these after your
      support person has gone.  It would be ideal to not have to grocery shop too soon after the birth.  
•        Listen to your body!  If it says sleep….sleep!  Be selfish, it is perfectly acceptable.  Don’t feel you
      have to do this or that.  Love and take care of your baby and family.  People are more important
      than things.  Remember to eat properly.  The milk supply and postpartum healing are number
      one on the agenda.  Eat well, drink lots of fluid and avoid constipation.  Take sitz baths if you
      have stitches

Many women think a lot about the baby and some women take childbirth classes and educate themselves to
prepare for labor as well.  Often, the postpartum period is most overlooked.  Planning ahead and
understanding how much rest and recovery time your body will need will enable you to have a peaceful
transition into motherhood.