Postpartum Help… Do I Need It?
Understanding what your postpartum needs will be while you are pregnant, can be a very tricky thing.
You haven’t even given birth to this baby yet, so how will you know your needs.
You might be asking yourself….
Who will help me?
Will breastfeeding come easy?
Should I hire a baby nurse?
Do I need a lactation consultant?
Is a postpartum doula a better choice for me?
When can I pump?
How the hell do I pump?!?!
My suggestion is always the same.
Tune everyone out (friends, relatives, in-laws and out-laws) and think it through.
Listen to yourself.
Do you function better on your own with the support of your partner? Do you feel you need some gentle guidance? Do you value sleep and anticipate needing help over night?
Think about your parenting philosophy. Are you planning to practice attachment parenting? Scheduled parenting? A combination of both (which is totally doable)?
These questions and more will bring you to your answers.
Do some research and talk to some professionals.
Ask your doctor or midwife for some recommendations.
Make a list of questions and invite some postpartum doulas and baby nurses to meet with you to discuss. Those meetings should be free of charge.
Some starter questions for you to add to:
Do you have current references?
How long have you been doing this work?
What is your breastfeeding experience?
Is your availability flexible?
Will you help me with household tasks as well as newborn care?
Will you recognize early symptoms of postpartum issues?
Northeast Doulas would love the opportunity to be interviewed by you and your partner.
Be sure to acknowledge the strength that you possess in making these choices for you and your family!
Authored by: Randy Patterson
