Most people when they think of the postpartum period think of screaming babies, sleepless nights, endless parades of visitors, physical pains, and dirty diapers. Does it really have to be like that?
The answer is no. There are many things that you can do to help prevent some of the stress of the postpartum period. However, the key here is good planning and some organization.
Prenatally is the time to start planning for postpartum, even though you may feel overwhelmed with preparing your workplace for your absence, the nursery, getting ready for the actual birth. You need to consider several factors:
Having someone around to help at least the first few weeks can be a real G-dsend. This person can be your husband, you friends, relatives (Although, I do not recommend relatives who annoy you or take over.), even a professional, like a postpartum doula (reminiscent of a baby nurse). The key to this person is, it has to be someone who is going to empower you and your partner as parents as opposed to do everything for you.
Something every postpartum mother should have is a list of things that need to be done. Well meaning friends will call and ask "Is there anything I can do?" Your answer should be, "YES!" Get your list and give them a few options. Here is a sample list:
Add anything that you can think that will help to your list. You may add different things or remove them as your strength and confidence increases. The other thing I want to add about asking for help is that these are things you really need. You do not need to entertain guests for hours on end. Your friends really want to help and will not mind doing a minor chore for you.
What can you do to prepare your household for postpartum? Well there are numerous lists of things that people recommend. I think that the most obvious is to have a well stocked house. Buy lots of toilet paper (Trust me and splurge on the soft kind.), maxi pads, tooth paste, canned goods, etc. If you have the inclination and the freezer space, try making double all of your recipes when you cook dinner, and save half for later.
Physically, the old adage of "Nap when the baby naps." is very true. Many mothers are tempted to take the few minutes of nap time and get a load of laundry done or to do the dishes. These chores can wait, or they can be done by your partner or friend. Minimize your extraneous chores for at least the first few days, and have dad help whenever possible. He is just as capable of changing a diaper, or burping, or bathing the baby. The only thing he cannot do is breastfeed.
You need to eat well, avoid caffeine, junk food, and greasy foods. Take a shower at least once a day, this will make you feel better, and give you a few minutes alone. Have a drink of water every time you nurse. Depending on whether you had an episiotomy or cesarean surgery, your physical recovery will have specific instructions.
Following these few steps will help you on the road to physical recovery much more quickly than if you do too much. One of the key signs that you are doing too much is an increase in your blood flow (lochia) or a change in color from anything back to bright red.
Here are some warning signs to look for in the postpartum period, call your practitioner if you have any of these symptoms:
Postpartum can be a wonderful time of adjustment. Having a new baby to love and care for is difficult no matter how much you prepare. Using these steps to minimize that is a good start in positive parenting.
So, don't spend too much time looking for the baby instruction manual that was lost at birth, and remember to turn a broom upside down in the corner to ward off visitors!
