WHAT TO BUY FOR POSTPARTUM??

So many suggestions! How ever can you choose? I’ve observed women and their needs in labor and postpartum. Here are my favorite items to purchase to make your postpartum time easier! Check out this list from Amazon of what other moms are buying based on what I have seen and heard.

MAKING YOUR BIRTH PLAN/Birth Wishes:

Quote from (Lothian. J, 2006 J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs)

“Birth plans are a terrific vehicle for clarifying and communicating your values, beliefs and intentions for your baby’s birth and immediate postpartum care.”

To do this, first start with identifying your values around childbirth and medical decision-making.

Do you believe in more natural, plant-based remedies or do you generally prefer high-tech, western drugs and medical tools? Are you preemptive or reactive when seeking medical care? Do you prefer using as little treatment as possible or do you seek the maximum amount of treatment available?

Second, clearly state WHAT you want and WHY you want it.

For example, if one you want to avoid routine, immediate umbilical cord clamping, instead of requesting “Delayed cord clamping, if possible”, say: “Please leave the cord unclamped until it is white and the placenta is out because I value a physiologic, unhurried 3rd stage.” Medical care providers are more likely to adjust their routine protocols and honor non-routine requests if they know your values, beliefs and reasons behind what you want. Always share your reasoning and values with your care provider for enhanced mutual trust, communication and collaboration.

Third, when considering what to include on your birth plan, know that the most useful information for labor and delivery nurses answers these three parent-focused questions:

What will you do to stay confident and feel safe?
What will you do to find comfort during your contractions?
Who will support you through labor and what will you need from them?