Childbirth Class - Postpartum
Class Six Covers Postpartum, Recovery and the Newborn
In the final class of our online childbirth preparation series, we discuss identifying postpartum depression, soothing babies and packing our bag.
Class Six
In Class Six, we will cover all of the aspects of the mother's physical and emotional recovery, identifying postpartum depression, taking care of your baby and even getting ready in the last few weeks before your baby is due and how to prepare.
Step One: How to Take Care of Yourself Physically
Sometimes mothers find that their bodies don't take much time at all to recover from the physical demands of labor. If you are one of those blessed women who had relatively short and uncomplicated labors and did not have an episiotomy or much tearing, you may not be in a great deal of pain after giving birth. Some mothers may only need some over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol for the first few days to help with general discomfort.
If however you had a very long labor, pushed for many hours, had substantial tearing or an episiotomy or had a Cesarean your body will likely be sore and recovery will likely be more painful. Mothers in this category may need stronger post-delivery pain medications that your care provider may prescribe for you. Be aware of any contraindications with breastfeeding and prescription-strength medications as well as a rare genetic condition that can result in a drug overdose when the mother takes pain medications that contain codeine.
In addition to managing the pain, mothers need to remember to eat well and get as much rest as possible. Almost all babies have their days and nights mixed up so remember that you may need to adjust your schedule to sleeping more during the day until your baby is on a more regular routine. If you are breastfeeding, you will need to eat at least 500 more calories per day over your pre-pregnancy diet.
Don't forget that if you have time before labor begins, make some meals ahead to put in the freezer. You will not have the time or energy to prepare nutricious, hot meals every evening for dinner and take-out meals get old rather quickly.
Step Two: Emotional Recovery and Postpartum Depression
There are some mothers who seem to "know" ahead of time that they are at risk for developing postpartum depression. Actually experts have identified several risk factors for postpartum depression including previous depression, dealing with other life changes and stress and a lack of family or social support.
While nearly all mothers have some emotional highs and lows in the first few weeks' postpartum, there are some mothers who experience chronic depression that intensifies over time. If you suspect that you may have some signs of postpartum depression, you can take the self-test as a screening tool and then follow-up with your care provider regardless of the results.
There are many treatment options for postpartum depression in addition to medications (anti-depressants) including diet changes, counseling and even massage.
Step Three: Taking Care of Fussy Babies
Even the easiest babies will have times of crying. In fact crying is the main way baby's communicate with their parents. Crying can mean, "I'm hungry", "I'm tired", "I'm sick", "I'm over-stimulated" or even "I'm bored." While you are learning more about your baby, if your little one happens to one of the fussy babies who cries most of his waking hours, it can be an especially challenging things for you. Dr. Karp has some of the best techniques on his site for soothing those fussy babies.
Step Four: Co-Sleeping or Traditional Sleep Routines
Where your baby sleeps is another one of those "hot topics" among both baby and parenting professionals and parents alike. Some experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics believe that parents should refrain from co-sleeping with their babies for safety reasons. Others believe that co-sleeping is one of the best ways to bond with the baby, encourage regular feedings during the night and for the whole family to sleep better. It may be that this issue is best decided within each family. How do you all sleep the best? Are you prepared for that decision to set up a pattern for your future sleep habits? Be sure to discuss your own questions about co-sleeping with your baby's pediatrician.
Step Five: Packing Your Labor Bag
By the time you complete your online childbirth class series, you may be nearly ready to have your baby. If you are within a few weeks of your due date, this is a great time to get ready for your stay at the hospital or birth center. You will need to pack a labor bag, complete with clothing for your baby, toiletries for mom and clothing for mother's trip back home. If you are having a homebirth, there may be other preparations that your midwife will be giving you to prepare your home for your baby's arrival.
As you prepare for your baby's arrival, be sure to take some time for yourself. Rest up. Eat well. Get some exercise. Get a massage. Have lunch with your best friend. And remember that even though your lives and roles are about to change, parenthood is a true joy! Happy Parenting to all!
Here is the complete list of our online childbirth class series:
Class One - Preparing for Labor
Class Two - Stages of Labor
Class Three - Medications and Writing Birth Plans
Class Four - Cesarean Birth
Class Five - Breastfeeding
Class Six - Postpartum and Parenting (above)
