prepare for postpartum

Preparing for your postpartum is one of THE most important things you need to do while you're pregnant. If you need to read more about why you should prepare for postpartum, I made a post about it that you can read here. How do you prepare for postpartum?

Physically

• diapers, pads, or period underwear for the bleeding

• padsicles, Tucks, hemorrhoid cream

• squirt bottle, this one is my favorite

• pain meds

• sitz bath kit

• numbing spray

• nursing bra, pads

• nipple cream

• Haaka

FidaMom has a lot of these things that they sale, they even have a kit that you can buy. My absolute must haves are tucks, period underwear/pads, and the squirt bottle. I also couldn't have lived without a water bottle. I loved getting a new blanket as well, something that was comforting and mine.

What you will need mentally is a little bit harder to list out. You will need to have a great support system. People that you can absolutely be honest with. For me, that was my husband. I was able to lean on him a lot. I also relied on my mom a lot, she didn't understand the postpartum depression and I think that it was really scary for her, but she was there and loved me. I wish that I could've had a friend or sister that I could've leaned on that understood what I was going through. I found out later that my sister and sisters in law had had postpartum depression and I wish that we all could've been more open about it. So, be open with others and they can be open with you. Even if you don't end up with a PPMD (postpartum mood disorder) you will still need a support system. Having a therapist to talk to help you process your birth, whether it was traumatic or not will be super helpful.

Being honest with yourself and how you are feeling mentally is super important. If you are having intrusive thoughts, feel like you're going to hurt your baby, feel helpless/hopeless, things don't make you happy that use to, etc. you need to find some more help. Nothing is your fault, but those feelings are real and they don't need to control you. If you feel like something is wrong, trust your gut and honor yourself by getting help. Motherhood can be so hard and it takes support for you and your baby.

Some other tips are...

Plan some kind of self care. I will have a SHAMELESS plug for Red Aspen here. Red Aspen has nails, masks, makeup and tanning lotion to make any mama feel like a million bucks! I cannot emphasize how nice it is to take 15 minutes to yourself when you are in the thick of postpartum.

Have people come help. NO, you don't have to let them hold the baby. If you want them to, then go for it! But if you just want to sit and enjoy your baby while they do the dishes or something, then DO IT!

Have a book or TV show that you love.

Hiring a postpartum doula is also a great idea! Most birth doulas will do follow up appointments and some will provide care hours. There are specific postpartum doulas that can stay overnight, do light housework, help process your birth, run errands, etc. So look into those if you want to!

Talk about what you would like baby care to look like between you and your partner before the baby comes. Lay out some expectations and know that they might change once baby comes.

Have a lactation consultant if you plan on breastfeeding and research all about breastfeeding as well before baby comes. It isn't as easy as moms make it look!

That's my basic list a preparation for you, I will probably visit this topic again in th future, but until then, what am I missing? Let my know in the comments!