From the very beginning of your pregnancy, you have appointment after appointment, everyone is surrounding you and your belly with all the love and support that you could ever need. But where does it all go after you deliver?
Where is the education, the appointments with your provider, and the support? Women want to, NO, they NEED to feel cared for and loved after they've brought a new life into the world. We've seen it time and time again, what can potentially happen if a mother doesn't have the support she needs, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Yet services for postpartum care continue to still be underfunded and under-served. What makes the fourth trimester any less important than the previous three? The time after birth is a critical time for women to adjust to the new role (no matter how many times you've done it). What makes support after delivery so important? I'll share four reasons why.
Reason One - It's Crucial!
The postpartum period is a very important period. This is the time when mothers need that extra care and attention. Let's look at some numbers.
17% of maternal deaths occur on the day of delivery
19% of maternal deaths occur between one and six days postpartum
21% of maternal deaths occur between one and six weeks postpartum
12% of maternal deaths occur within the first year.
The even more chilling thing is, the majority of these deaths are preventable. What's the reason for these preventable deaths occurring? Lack of care coordination, ineffective treatment, and lack of knowledge about warning signs or not taking concerns seriously. Another potential issue is that some new mothers may have a hard time determining how to take care of themselves and how to take care of their newborn. Let's throw in the fact that most postpartum visits don't take place until four to six weeks after delivery, unless you've had a c-section, then you're advised to follow up in one to two weeks. What kind of postpartum care is that?
Reason Two - Postpartum Depression is REAL!
As someone who struggled with postpartum depression, I can say that it is REAL! It can literally take over your life and have you not only questioning yourself as a mother but as a person period! Postpartum depression is depression that occurs after delivery, during your postpartum period. It affects your brain and that affects how you care for yourself mentally and physically. It's normal to feel down or sad for a few days after delivery but if you find yourself feeling this way for an extended period of time, that can definitely be a sign of postpartum depression.
Signs of postpartum depression
Feeling sad, hopeless
Having thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Feeling disconnected from your baby or not having a bond with your baby
Feeling worthless or guilty
Not having energy or motivation
Withdrawing from everyone around you
This is something that many women struggle with alone. They feel ashamed to even speak up about what they are feeling because they don't want to be judged. This is an even more important reason why support is needed!
Reason Three - There are some things that first time, (and even second time) mothers don't know
There's so much that we as women don't know about our bodies. Throw pregnancy and postpartum into the mix and that can increase the confusion. Imagine having a baby, going home, and you're not sure how to handle the vaginal pain you may experience or breast engorgement? What happens if you suspect you have an infection? Then there's a new baby. You're exhausted and not sure about feeding or changing schedules? What are the crying ques and what needs to be done to help soothe this new baby? Education and support could increase mothers' confidence in caring for themselves and their newborn.
Reason Four - It's the way it should be!
Our children deserve to have healthy mothers. In order for mothers to be healthy, they need to be supported, emotionally and physically. Support can come in many different ways and from many different people. Healthcare providers, Midwives, Doulas, partners and family, are all people that can create a support system for our women so that they can heal themselves. Supporting new mothers helps them to grow in their role as caregivers. Supporting new mothers gives them the positive reinforcement that they need. Do you know a new mom or mom that is expecting that could use some support? Don't hesitate, ask her how you can help!
Until next time, sending you peace, love and light!
Tiffany Underwood
Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula
Childbirth Educator
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