My Top 3 Tips for a Better Postpartum!
As a perinatal chiropractor, here are my top 3 tips for a better Postpartum!
- Build your support team during Pregnancy!
1. It takes a Village - so form your's in pregnancy!
having a great support system is key in having an easier transition and recovery for postpartum. I feel so very fortunate to have a very supportive family who are close by. In the first couple of weeks postpartum we had family make dinners and drop them off, as well as had my wonderful in-laws with us that cooked, cleaned, and helped take care of baby while we are able to get a quick nap in or just relax on the couch. The help from family and friends in the early days made a HUGE difference. During my pregnancy, I also created a team of providers that not only helped in a HUGE way during my pregnancy, but were so incredible in my postpartum recovery. I had a lactation consultant, Christine McKenny with WOOM wellness, who I saw for a prenatal visit and then just 3 days after Kennedy was born, and multiple times since then. For me, I wanted to breastfeed, and with the help, support, and encouragement of Christine, I've not only been able to get through those first few days that were tough, but have maintained our breastfeeding journey. We also saw our Doula, Marissa Hathaway of the Lemon Grove Doula Agency, and she came to the house, and supported us in multitudes of ways. From talking through the birth (which I think every mom needs to do this!) to providing us with great insight and advice, we feel so lucky to have had her. Lastly, our homebirth midwife, Jessica Davis with Roots of Life Midwifery was amazing in supporting us through my postpartum recovery. She encapsulated my placenta, and was there at multiple home visits to check on Kennedy and myself, as well as was only a text or call away if we had any questions! So so thankful for our wonderful team of providers and family that helped make my postpartum journey one I hoped for!
2. Prepare meals and snacks ahead of time!
My husband and I prepared a lot of freezer meals, breakfast sandwiches, and either prepared or bought easy one-handed snacks I enjoyed that still had some health-value to them for postpartum. It made it incredibly less stressful when the question "what do you want for dinner" came up. We made soups, a few pasta dishes, and breakfast sandwiches that could all be easily heated and consumed that day. We also stocked our freezers with meat and our pantry with other staples so we knew we wouldn't have to do a ton of grocery shopping in the first month. A good BJ's haul with avocado oil, body armor, flour, spices, and snacks was the perfect thing for us! I also found it super helpful to stock up on pasta and rice, which could make a super easy meal with either ground turkey, or sauce and meatballs that were prepared and frozen ahead of time. Also, my sister and her husband prepared a boat load of freezer meals for us, which we're still going through at 3 months postpartum!
3. Have ZERO expectations
This was a super tough one for me, as I am a type A, planner, personality. (It's a strength when it comes to being a business owner, but not so much in other ways). One thing I have done is to set zero expectations for how a day is going to go, or not go...and truly try to go with the flow as much as possible! Granted, we would have doctor's appointments, or plan on visitors, but otherwise, if I woke up and didn't feel like getting out of my pajamas or the house that day--I gave myself grace and DIDN't! There's no need to put added pressure and stress on yourself as a new (or seasoned!) mom. And remember, everyone heals differently, and adapts to newness differently. One mom may love getting out of the house every day, while one may just love snuggling on the couch and binge watching Madam Secretary on Netflix (hi, it's me :) ). Ourselves and our babies are unique in every journey, so allow yourself, and your baby, to just BE.
I hope this helps a mama who is excited, but maybe also super nervous about what postpartum will look like! I know I wasn't sure how I would handle everything, but these three things have helped me enjoy and embrace motherhood full-heartedly!
If you are pregnant and are looking for more support, and a chiropractor who specializes in all things pregnancy, postpartum, babies and kids, book a visit with us and get started!
With health and abundance,
Dr Mackenzie Briley