Postpartum Services: First 40 Days

Postpartum Offerings: 40 Days

I want to address my concerns, especially for first time pregnant moms and their partners. When a couple becomes pregnant, so much attention becomes focused on the baby and the birth. The couple who created this new life tends to take a backseat to all the new life is bringing to the fore, during a time when the relationship is needing the most support. This can take a toll on the relationship before the birth of the baby, if it isn’t addressed in a healthy way. The other area of concern I have is for the couple during the postpartum period; the most critical part lasting approximately 40 days. The reason this concerns me is that many couples are unprepared for the toll this time period can take on the mom and the couple and how much planning and support is actually required to help the couple get through it in the healthiest way possible. I have worked with many pregnant and postpartum women and have 3 children of my own. I hear new moms tell me on a regular basis that had they have known they would have done things differently, or how little the postpartum period is talked about. This is considered the 4th trimester, and is a continuation of the birthing process, as parents step into their new roles, without a script or a guide. This is why I have created supportive, informative packages and classes to connect other couples and bring more support, attention, and awareness to the 4th trimester. I believe that a great deal of postpartum depression comes from not having the support that is required during this time period and is preventable. I offer my services to couples who are expecting and to new parents in the Portland and VanCouver, Wa. area who are wanting some extra support following the birth of their child. My postpartum services are holistic in that they offer support for moms’ heart, body, and spirit in order to help ease her transition into motherhood. Postpartum care in many cultures is offered by family members and involves making sure the new mom is totally cared for following her birth. I can prepare birth partners to offer effective support during labor and following birth. This involves keeping her warm, feeding her nourishing ,warming foods, soups, and teas, making sure she gets plenty of rest, is not subjected to anything stressful, and is massaged regularly. It is thought that during this 30-40 day period of time the mother is more susceptible to illness and depression. With the right support a new mom can bounce back very well and this resting time builds a foundation of strength and health , not only for caring for her newborn, but also for her future. My approach to postpartum is holistic and my offerings involve coming to your home and listening to your birth story, after I have made you a warm cup of postpartum tea. I will make you a pot of nourishing and strengthening bone broth or veggie broth, warm you with moxa, massage you, make a belly firming paste for you, and show you how to do a belly bind. I will answer questions you may have or I will refer you to those who can. I will come to your home up to 4 times over this 40 day period. At the end of your 40 day sacred mamma and baby bonding time, I will offer you a very special closing of the bones ceremony to help you honor your rite of passage into motherhood, as well as close what has been opened during childbirth to support you in grounding into your new self, as you have been birthed into motherhood, as well. Birth partners have their own experience of the birth and may want to share and also need support for themselves. Some of the services are personalized for the specific postpartum needs of the mother and some are personalized for the couples pre and postpartum needs. I am a mother of 3 young adult women, a trained Doula, prenatal and postpartum yoga instructor, childbirth educator, pregnancy and postpartum health and wellness coach, reiki, acupressure, massage and craniosacral therapist, trained in prenatal and postnatal bodywork. You can also find my book on Amazon.com: Nourish Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul: 30 Days of Self-care and personalize it to your life as it is. To find out more about my services or to book my postpartum care package go to Mother-touch.com and sign up for the services you want. I’m looking forward to meeting you and bringing more ease and support to your journey ahead. Feel free to email me with any questions.