What your Postpartum Care team Should Look Like

If we sit down and think about it, we can break down the people in our lives into certain categories. And each person in each category plays a certain role in our life. Often these roles are different, but complementary. 

Some examples of these basic categories could be: 

-Immediate family

-Extended family

-In-laws

-Close friends

-Regular friends

-Work friends

-Neighbors

-Nanny/childcare providers

Each of the people that fall into these categories play different roles. For example, you might have 4 people in your immediate family. However, your relationship with your sister might be completely different to the one you have with your mother. In turn, those people bring different values and impacts to your life.

Postpartum is no different! Or actually, it’s way different. When you don’t have a new baby, you’re not sleep deprived, and you’re not healing from a major physical and emotional event, we might take for granted these people in our lives -- our support systems. We may not even actively think about them! But postpartum, everything changes. We need help. And though many women try to get through pregnancy and postpartum without changing anything about their support systems, they fail. Or they get hurt. Or they suffer, unnecessarily. At CODDLE, we are all about being proactive, listing out your support, and actively calling on them to be a part of your healing process. 

Let’s take a look at some of the TOP categories of people you’ll need and want in your life and as part of yor care team after you’ve had a baby:

1. Postpartum Village

This is a general term that could be used to describe EVERYONE on this list, but we’re going to clump friends and family in here. Basically, anyone that you’re not *paying* to be there, is your postpartum village. This includes your spouse, your mom, your dad, your siblings, in-laws, friends, coworkers. All of the people you regularly have in your life -- you’re going to need them postpartum. 

You know how people you love are supposed to do *anything* for you? Well this is the time to call in that favor. This is *anything.* Postpartum, and we won’t sugarcoat this, is one of the hardest periods in a woman’s life. We need support! And the people who love you are honestly going to be SO happy to be able to help you, in whatever way they can.

Though research into this area is SO minimal (we’d love to change that), there are a few studies that show how social support during postpartum can decrease the severity or likelihood of postpartum depression. Here’s a quote from this article:

“Women experience a range of psychological stressors in the postpartum period (1–3). Social support has been shown to be effective in helping women cope with these stressors (2, 4). Moreover, low levels or inconsistent social support have been found to be a strong predictor of postpartum depression (5–7) and dissatisfaction with social support may increase the risk for clinical and subclinical depression during the postpartum period (8–10). Although some depression prevention efforts have focused on social support (11), little attention has been paid to how social support is perceived and mobilized by mothers during the postpartum period, particularly in underserved communities. Through survey and anecdotal data collected during a randomized controlled study that followed mothers for six-months after childbirth, we noted differences with how mothers viewed and mobilized support after childbirth (12). The primary objective in this study was to conduct focus groups to explore barriers and facilitators to receipt of social support among a diverse group of mothers.

You have a village already. Postpartum is the time to mobilize your “other village” then!

2. Postpartum Doula

Many of us have already heard of doulas..ahem..our founder + ceo is a postpartum doula. So you know you’re getting first hand knowledge with CODDLE. They support you during pregnancy and birth, like an assistant. They are your ally and advocate during the birth, help you carry out your birth plan, and give you any type of support you may need during late pregnancy and the birthing process. What many might not know about, though, is the postpartum doula. These amazing women help you beyond birth. They’re there to help bring or cook you food to help nourish your body after birth. They’ll hold your baby while you shower. They’ll do all of the things your immediate village may not be able or available to do. In turn, they can be a point of contact for your village, should you be too tired or too uncertain to tell them what to do/how to help!

Here’s what you need to know about postpartum doulas:

The postpartum doula provides physical support as the family recovers and grows more comfortable with their new roles. The techniques for support should be individualized to the family’s specific needs, but may include providing opportunities for rest, personal care and healing. The doula can also demonstrate newborn care, assist with breastfeeding, provide care to older children, and be there to fill in the gaps as necessary.

The postpartum doula focuses on normal postpartum recovery and newborns, and she provides unbiased, evidence based information so the mother can make an informed decision on what is in the best interest of herself and her baby. The doula can help to facilitate communication between the mother and her care provider, and work as an advocate throughout her working relationship with the mother and family. In doing so, the doula has a comprehension of her limitations and when necessary will provide appropriate referrals to other individuals or providers.”

Do you wish you had a postpartum doula in the past? Have you used one before? Weigh in below in the comments!

3. Pelvic Floor Therapist

A pelvic floor therapist is another must-have on your team during postpartum. Particularly with second, third, fourth, etc. children, your pelvic floor muscles don’t bounce back quite like they used to. To avoid or to heal a prolapse, doing pelvic floor therapy can help you heal!

Here’s a quick list of all of the things that pelvic floor therapy can help with:

Urinary incontinence

Urinary frequency

Urinary urgency

Painful urination

Difficulty emptying your bladder

Bowel problems

Fecal incontinence

Pelvic pain

Rectal pain

Pain during intercourse

Does any of this sound like you? Call a PVT, or find one using your zip code. They’re an amazing asset to add to your postpartum healing team.

4. Mental Health Therapist

This is a big one. At some point in time during postpartum, we could all use therapy. And that could be for different reasons! Sometimes birth can be traumatic or stir up some difficult emotions or experiences. If you have a history of sexual abuse or trauma in your past, this can come up during birth. 

Then again, during the postpartum phase when you’re experiencing sleep deprivation, overwhelm, or stress, any emotional traumas or issues you’re struggling with can be especially highlighted. Noises such as cring can be triggering to many, and this is a time in many women’s lives that therapy can be a huge help. 

If you’re going through any of the things listed above, call a therapist! They’re a must-have for many during postpartum healing, and a great addition to this list. 

5. Lactation Consultant

If you’re breastfeeding, having a lactation consultant on your team can be a huge asset. Breastfeeding doesn’t come naturally, even though it’s natural. Having an expert to guide you, encourage you, and show you the best practices can make or break your breastfeeding experience!

Here’s a list of some of the specific things that a lactation consultant can help you address. Along with the LC, you’ll need our nipple balm to moisturize your nipples with every feed. Tap here to your ours - it’s voted best handcrafted nipple balm of 2021. 

Poor milk supply

Breast pain

Sore nipples

Trouble latching

Finding a comfortable nursing position

Poor infant weight gain

Refusal to feed

Pumping issues

Engorgement

If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, have a lactation consultant lined up! You won’t regret it. 

These are the top 5 types of people we want postpartum mamas to have on their team. Do you have more to add? Drop a comment below or DM us on Instagram! Help us pave the way for future mamas by providing them education and guides for a smooth transition into motherhood.