Guest writer: How to build a peaceful postpartum while expecting

The word postpartum means the period after giving birth. It is a time when the body, mind and everyday life are in a state of change.

Getting to know your baby as well as your own self as a new parent are processes that need time and peace. Many people are surprised at how comprehensive postpartum is, and there is little talk about preparing for it. After childbirth, society's attention is easily focused on the baby, although the well-being of the birth giving parent is at least as important.

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After childbirth, there are a lot of physical changes in the body: the body recovers from the birth or ceasarian section, the uterus has an ulcer surface the size of a placenta, milk production kicks in, the body experiences the greatest hormonal changes of a human life, emotions fluctuate, and everyday routines are rebuilt. The dynamics of the whole family change, even if there are already older children in the family. The experience can be both amazing and heavy at the same time. Therefore, preparing already in the waiting period can facilitate and smooth over the transition to a new stage of life.

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One of the most important things after childbirth is rest.

It does not necessarily mean bed rest for everyone, but can be implemented in individual ways. The body has just done an incredibly big job of growing and delivering a baby into this world. In the first weeks there is no rush to do anything and you can enjoy your own baby bubble in peace. In many cultures, the person who has given birth is cared for up to 40 days after giving birth to ensure their rest and recovery. In the modern world, all things are required to be done quickly and efficiently, but after childbirth, a good guideline is to recover slowly.

How is rest made possible? That's the essence of preparing for postpartum. In the old days in Finland, the Karelian tradition of 'rotinat', toasts, and sauna meant food gifts for a family that had just given birth. However, there is almost no such support these days, and more families are left alone. Therefore, it is a good idea to think in advance about who could be around to help you and your family: how to handle everyday chores, who takes care of grocery trips or takes care of the older children. The experience of childbirth affects the long postpartum period — who listens to the feelings and experiences of the one who just gave birth? A prospective spouse does not have to be able to take care of everything. They, too, have the right to settle into the baby bubble. Would relatives, neighbours, friends or your own doula help? It might be worth considering postpartum wishes and needs already during pregnancy, and express them, for example, in the form of a wish letter.

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Lastentarvike tip: Recovery of the body can be promoted after pregnancy with a support belt, that provides additional support to the muscles of the abdomen.

Nutrition and hydration are key to recovery.

What if the babyshower program included cooking together in preparation for the postpartum period? Nutritious dishes stored in the freezer can be a real salvation in the new everyday life, as can ready-made snacks. Frozen dressings that relieve swelling and aches on the lower body can also be prepared for the freezer, or wonderful pre-dosed herbal blends for sit-up-baths or foot baths. Or just making the “To Do Before Childbirth” list a little shorter with communal help.

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Lastentarvike tip: Find postpartum products for your babyshower wish list here.

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If you want to breastfeed, it is good to understand that milk production in the body requires a lot of hydration, energy and initially also time. It is worth finding out about breastfeeding already during the expecting period. For breastfeeding, it is good to reserve good breastfeeding bras, a breastfeeding pillow and a breast pump if needed (manual or electric). For breastfeeding moments, you can assemble a small basket with everything you need for the breastfeeding marathons of a newborn, for example, muslin cloths, nursing pads, a milk collector, one-handed snacks and a straw bottle. Even a little preparation can feel valuable when you're napping with your baby for many hours straight, or if breastfeeding doesn't go as planned.

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Lastentarvike tips:

Discover ideas for building a calm breastfeeding corner from our blog here.

Read more about the differences between breast pumps on our blog here.

Find products to help you breastfeed here.

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You can prepare for the postpartum period in small ways, and solutions thought out in advance can bring gentleness and security in the first weeks after birth. There is a lot of information and advice, but you don't have to absorb everything — it's enough to pick up the ones that seem appropriate for your own family.

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Other tips for the postpartum period:

- It is not necessary to know, perform or be able to handle everything right away. Remember to be kind and forgiving towards yourself and others.

- If desired, it is worth writing down the experience of childbirth shortly after giving birth. The memories of the experience change over time.

- Keep yourself warm. You can also warm your body from the inside with spicy dishes and soups.

- TENS can be used to facilitate the sensations of aftershocks.

- Already during pregnancy, body care reserved for the postpartum period, for example, osteopathy, reflexology, and maternity physiotherapy, can be a godsend. Self-care is more likely to happen when you have it planned out in the calendar.

- It is worth finding out where you can get additional help for everyday life if necessary.

- The Finnish Association for Breastfeeding Support regularly organizes free webinars for expecting parents, which will give you a good preparation for the start of breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Support organisations 'Rinnalla' app offers free trained peer support for breastfeeding.

- There is no need to prepare for everything in advance in the form of physical goods. Nowadays, supplies are very available and delivery times for online stores are fast.

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Lastentarvike tip: Our 16 stores all over Finland can be found on Wolt, so you can get the products to your door super fast.

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Postpartum is allowed to ask for and receive help, even if it seems difficult to many.

Asking for help is not weakness, but love both for oneself, the child and the whole family.

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‍This blog post was born out of a desire to remind you that it is no one's duty to survive the postpartum experience alone.

Johanna Hirvonen is a certified doula and mother of two who provides support during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in the Uusimaa region.

Johanna's services can be found on her website Neljakolmannesta.fi and on Instagram @neljakolmannesta

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For you who are giving birth:

“Do things your way and remember that your well-being is the basis of the well-being of the whole family.”

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