Fall Gracefully Into Postpartum

Posted on: September 22, 2016 | Postpartum

Fall and chocolate.

What could possibly be better?

Sitting on your cozy couch, wrapped in a soft, fuzzy blanket, drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

Nice picture, right?

What if you have a toddler and a newborn?  Not quite the picture you are thinking.  You see toys scattered about.  The sink is piled high with dirty dishes, laundry flowing out of hampers, dinner hasn’t even crossed your mind yet at 4pm and you are trying to decide if that thing you smell is you, the toddler in yesterday’s clothes, or yet another lovely gift from this beautiful, screaming baby in your arms.

You are dreaming about your recent labor..In particular, you are dreaming about your doula.  She was there doing everything you needed, usually before you even knew what you needed!

The first few weeks home wasn’t that bad.  Your partner had taken paternity leave for a week (so glad his work offers that!) and your family has been such a tremendous support…but now your baby is nearing a month old and everyone acts as if you should be put together now, I mean you have had a month to get used to these changes.

You let out a sigh and calmly walk (or run) to the shower.  The one you get to relax in alone for as long as you want with no interruptions.

When you get out the dishes have been loaded in the dishwasher, you hear the wash machine going, and that previous stench has been replaced with the appetizing aroma of something baking.

As you come around the corner, you notice that you didn’t have to step over that random sippy cup (that you just for the life of you cannot remember when you filled it) or around the tower of blocks.  Instead, on the kitchen counter, you see your favorite mug full of hot chocolate with the little marshmallows and a bowl of greek yogurt with granola.

Normally silence with a toddler is a bad sign, but in this case you casually stroll into the family room to see your innocent newborn snoozing soundly, the toddler is listening to a comforting voice reading Susan Boyton board books.

Is this sorcery?  Perhaps a dream?

No magic was used in the making of this moment of sanity.

This was the work of your postpartum doula.

You go sit in your most comfortable chair by your reading nook, wrap yourself in your favorite blanket that your great-grandma made, and relax.

What is a postpartum doula?  A postpartum doula is a great way to continue the support you felt during labor.  They come to your house to help you feel human again…whatever that looks like to you.  Some doulas even offer overnight care so that you can sleep and have them bring baby to you to nurse, or if you are bottle feeding they take care of baby all night so you can get a full night sleep and go into the next day refreshed!  Did you know the doula will even go run errands with you for that extra support when you go clothes shopping the first time after baby?

To see everything Gemini Birth Services offer for postpartum care contact us today and relax tonight!

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