Combatting Postpartum Sadness
I'm often asked if I have suggestions for natural ways to deal with postpartum sadness. I absolutely do! Not only will I share those with you, but I am including a free printable with you at the end of the blog. Don't forget to print it and hang it somewhere you'll see it and use it!
First Coast Doulas brings love light and laughter to birth and parenting and love energy, and healing after birth! With that in mind here are my suggestions for combating normal postpartum sadness:
Rest
Rest as much and as often as possible and sleep when you can! You may not fully understand that suggestion until you are living that life. This might mean short, frequent increments or a few longer stretches. Also, skin to skin time with your baby is beneficial to you both. Snuggling and resting together is one way to help strengthen your bond.
Shower Power
Every day! Besides smelling "so fresh and so clean, clean" {I hear Outkast in my head}, how much more relaxed and revived do you feel when you get a nice warm shower? Feels pretty damn good, right?! Well, birthing a baby and caring for his, her or their needs is work. Getting a shower helps you transform from mom zombie back to the land of the living! Make it high priority every day even if you're going back to bed!
Get Out
Going outside a couple times each day helps you see the world in a new light so to speak! Whether it's on your own front porch with your feet up or taking a short stroll around the block you benefit and so does your little one! Say "hi" to a neighbor! Who knows you may make a new friend in an unlikely place. Find other parents and talk with them; whatever you do don't shut yourself in.
Find Your Path
When you became pregnant the stories and advice began. It continues after you deliver your baby. Lots of great advice out there and not so great advice too! Save yourself a lot of time and energy by trusting yourself. I promise you, YOU ARE ENOUGH! No one knows it all, no one right way is best. I encourage you to trust your own judgment.
Me Time
Whether you enjoy solitude or prefer to think of it as "me, myself, and I time", do something for yourself each day that lasts 20-30 minutes. Purpose and make time every day.  Perhaps you struggle with feeling like you don't deserve that fraction of time for yourself each day. Well, it's not all about you! It benefits your entire family unit when you feel better. Your baby feels your energy! Need ideas? Soak in the tub, do yoga, read, dance, write, paint, take a slow drive and listen to music or chat with an encouraging friend by phone. Get a facial. Skies the limit!
Deep Breathes
Lots of them. New parents are super sensitive to the cries of their newborn. You've heard other newborns cry and you don't remember it that way, right?! Well, your baby's cries are for you! Your Spidey senses can be overwhelming, remember lots of deep breathes! Deep breathes help with mental clarity, stress relief, and it decreases your blood pressure. Oh and it feels nice!
A newborn baby's last effort is crying. Focusing on their cues before they begin crying can help you learn them and their needs, and believe me you will, it just takes time. Once they're crying and aren't easily consolable parents can feel a sense of panic or urgency to "fix" the problem.  However, sometimes you've done all the things and they still cry its o.k.  Be patient with yourself, take deep breathes, you do the best you can, and repeat.
I could wrap up the blog now... but I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't share with you what I believe so passionately in! I'll make it short.
Two things:
Professional Placenta Encapsulation
With First Coast Doulas can help you heal faster, have more energy and living the life you love! We are providing this service in the absolute safest most beneficial way possible!
Professional Postpartum & Infant Doula Support
I've saved the best for last! Be proactive in your approach. Prepare for the life you want now before it hits you in the face!  There's no way to know for certain which challenges will lie ahead, but no doubt you'll face them.
Hire First Coast Doulas for exceptional support through pregnancy, birth, and well into the first year after birth! Studies corroborate having professional support through these delicate years’ impacts families for generations. Hire First Coast Doulas, feel supported, have more of your needs met, and get more rest!
Repeat after me, "This is today. This is not yesterday, tomorrow, or forever. It is only for today"
That is one of my very favorite affirmations! While some bouts of sadness after birth can be normal some are out of the range of normal and require the person to discuss what they're feeling with a medical professional for diagnosis, and possible treatment plan. This blog is not intended to, nor should it replace medical care.
Get the Postpartum Printable!
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CDC reports 1 in 10 women experience postpartum depression. This number doesn't include those who "keep quiet" out of fear of being judged or locked away. This number doesn't include mothers who have given birth to a stillborn baby or who suffered loss during pregnancy. It also doesn't include those who are battling, struggling, or suffering with postpartum psychosis, OCD, PTSD, anxiety, or other perinatal mood disorders. If those things were included we would be looking at a number much higher. Most likely around 20%.
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