Taking care of your baby while pregnant, is relatively easy. You take care of you, you take care of your baby. You are one and the same for forty weeks.
But what happens during the postpartum phase when suddenly there are two separate beings. You. Baby.
Here's what usually happens: You are exhausted mentally and physically. You might just even be a mess emotionally.
It's ok, the postpartum phase of pregnancy is hard. Like over the top hard.
So what might happen if you pre-plan for this critical time during which you just happen to be as important as your new little one? The purpose of this postpartum guide series and this postpartum sanctuary plan is to walk you through the preparation needed to have the most uneventful postpartum phase possible.
If we can prepare your body and mind, your home and environment, and prepare your people for the changes to come, we are taking a much-needed step in the healthiest direction possible.
Why I am here and who I am:
Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society, a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!
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Preparing your Environment for the Postpartum Phase
Photo by Paul Hanaoka
I want you to close your eyes and picture a peaceful healing place. What do you picture? Is it a spa? A girlfriend's house? Your childhood home?
For me, it's my bedroom. I have been going through a difficult season, and I have turned my bedroom into a healing sanctuary. It is my go-to calming place right now.
Here's what I did: Soft lights, comfy blankets, Music, and essential oils! When you are creating a sanctuary for the postpartum phase time of healing you want to touch on all your senses. For me, a cleanroom is also key. If I see clutter or cleaning needs, my mind does not settle.
A Postpartum Sanctuary
Whichever rooms you will be healing in, I want you to prepare them visually.
What do I mean?
Are they clean and free of clutter? You might be one of the few moms who can see a mess and resist cleaning it, but if not this will help you settle into a routine with the new little one that does not involve you continuing to do everything.
If possible, ask a few friends to help you organize and clean your home prior to your baby arriving. You will most likely enjoy this, as it is a natural part of baby prepping innately. Aka…Nesting.
Consider, printing and framing some encouraging mantras to place through your home during your postpartum healing phase.
If you click here, you can print my postpartum checklist, which acts as a guide to successfully navigate the postpartum phase of pregnancy.
Create a Cleaning Plan
Photo by Heather Ford
Consider cleaning and what I lovingly refer to as purge cleaning. If there is one thing I understand, it is a pile-up. We all have those places in our home that have a pile-up of junk; whether it is mail, clothing, toys, or whatever.
Now is the time to declutter and get stuff in order. I found this awesome post on how to do it properly and with less stress. Decluttering is the key to getting everything under control.
Once you declutter, you will be able to clean and organize with less hassle.
Claim Your Space
This is where it gets fun and it gets personal. Like I did with my bedroom, I want you to create a sanctuary for healing during the postpartum phase of pregnancy.
Whether it is a small sitting area in a larger room, or it is a small room like your bedroom, it is to become your healing place.
The space you create will become your sanctuary while your perfect body heals and becomes whole again.
Check out this post which tells you which supplies you need for the postpartum healing phase. BE PREPARED!
Here's How to Create a Space for Healing
Consider Essential oils and an oil burner. I love my oil burner as it adds to my decor and is not an eyesore. This oil diffuser is also a nightlight as well.
You can choose the oil blends that are healing to you and create the healing environment you desire for your postpartum healing. Pinterest has a wealth of oil blends to choose from.
Relaxing Blend:
4 drops Lavendar
3 drops Cedarwood
3 drops Frankincense
Calming Blend:
2 drops cedarwood
2 drops orange
1 drop clove
1 drop lemon
Check out my Instagram account for valuable education that covers pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Mama, you are not alone. You will not be alone. We are your tribe. Let us walk through it with you. Be sure to trust yourself and your instincts. You will make mistakes as a new mom, but that's okay, you will be okay! I promise.
You will survive the postpartum phase of pregnancy!
