Preparing for the Postpartum Period

The postpartum period can sneak up on us and catch us off guard. We spend countless hours preparing for the labor and the delivery but not as much for the postpartum period.  Those inital days and weeks can be very challenging even for the experienced mom, so I recommend a little preparation and planning to ease the transition. Here are a few suggestions.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
1) If you plan on breastfeeding, set up a postpartum doula or lactation consultation ahead of time to meet with you in your home after the delivery

• Ask your provider for a recommendation during a prenatal visit
• There are plenty of doula organizations D.O.N.A and ICEA (to name a few) that have lists on their website for postpartum doulas.
•  The international lactation consultant association also has a listing by area

HOUSEHOLD HELP
2) Get cleaning and laundry help set up ahead of time.

• Due to the needs of a newborn and sleep deprivation, it's very difficult to keep a home organized and clean.  
• Sometimes it can be very distracting to have the dishes and the laundry pile up. 
• The postpartum period isn't a time to be stubborn. Take as much help as you can get (even daily) from hired help or from family for the first 6-14 weeks to do household chores and cleaning. 

MEALS
3) Get meals set up ahead of time.

• Mealtrain.com is a website that will allow your friends and family to organize meals. Most people are happy to help out in this way and it let's them feel involved and part of the birthing experience.
• Make meals in your last few weeks of pregnancy that can be easily heated up and freeze them like lasagna, sauces, baked goods and soups
• Don't be afraid to buy frozen meals. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods sell great frozen (even organic) meals.

FINANCES
4) Put some money aside. Sometimes, it's not possible, but if you start putting even just a little away week by week of your pregnancy, it can help.

• Financial stress can contribute to postpartum depression. 
• Keeping a little money aside can be a stress relief even it it's not needed.

SOCIAL SUPPORT
5) Find a community

• Connecting with other new moms can lead to a better sense of self-efficacy as well as decrease the baby blues and postpartum depression.
• The National Mother's Center Association has a list by area of Mother's Centers, groups and actives by area.
• Holistic Mom's Network is another national group that has local chapters
• La Leche League also has local chapters, groups and actives to be a part of 
• Ask your birthing facility or provider about support groups

Headaches in Pregnancy

Headaches in pregnancy are common and can happen at any stage. They do tend to be more common in the first trimester, up to 20 weeks. Here is a great overview of headaches in pregnancy.

HEADACHES 

What causes them?

Hormonal changes

Nasal congestion

Allergies

Hunger (low blood sugar)

Fatigue

Lack of sleep

Food triggers

Eyestrain

Tension

Stress & anxiety

Caffeine withdrawal

TMJ or Jaw tension

What to do about them?

Avoid triggers such as MSG and artificial sweeteners

Teas, coffee, wine and nuts have tannic acid which trigger headaches

Aged cheeses and added nitrites to meats can be triggers

Stay hydrated with lemon water

Talk a warm shower

Place a hot compress on the temples or over the eyes

Take a warm bath

Exercise to increase circulation

Drink a caffeinated beverage 

For congestion try inhaling steam or a warm compress over the sinuses

For tension, anxiety or stress get a massage

Wear a mouth guard at night

Consider acupuncture or acupressure

  The vitamin supplement magnesium has been associated with lower headaches in pregnancy*

Tylenol, as recommended on the bottle, is safe for most pregnancies*

Links

American Pregnancy Association

Mayo Clinic

*You should always discuss your pregnancy symptoms with your provider at each visit, including headaches.  Any severe headache, blurry vision, or floaters should be reported to your provider right away. Always consult your provider before taking any medications, supplements, or herbs in pregnancy.

Midwives as a Status Symbol

New York Times Article Click Here

Midwives as a Status Symbol

Are we really the next pooch in a prada or a Buggaboo stroller?

The NewYork consumer has changed, but so have we; and, so has New York herself.  Nowadays, most of us have higher education degrees and are delivering in the hospital as well as the home. It wasn't until 1992 that we were legally prescribing medication in New York and 2010 that we were able to legally practice independently.  New York trusts us, while we have the outcomes and education to support why she should.  In addition, we happily provide care for the "hippy-dippy spiritual birth," but we also provide what many women want: simple and supported, natural hospital birth.