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Postpartum Care
"Seen through the eyes of the old ways, this several-weeks span is a nonnegotiable time of healing and recovery; it is a woman’s birthright, and it’s essential for sustaining herself, her family, and society at large."
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– Heng Ou, The Fist Forty Days
The Postpartum Period
The weeks after birth are a crucial time for a new mother and her baby. What happens here lays the foundation for the rest of the mother’s life, and her child’s. Yet this period is often overlooked, with birth and pregnancy taking the lion’s share of preparation and planning.
Many cultures around the world practice postpartum care traditions: a set period of time after birth dedicated to rest, recovery, and bonding for the baby and mother. In these societies, the community comes together to take care of the mother’s every need, so that all she has to do is stay in bed, rest, and feed and care for her baby. It’s widely understood in these cultures that this practice sets mother and baby up for a healthy, happy life going forward.
In the U.S. today, we are sorely lacking this support. New mothers are doing too much, too soon. This has far-reaching effects. These effects can show up immediately in the postpartum time, like problems with breastfeeding or pelvic issues, and/ or they can appear throughout the woman’s life, even into menopause and beyond.
Women deserve more. Postpartum support can help fill in the gaps and ensure that mother and baby get what they need after birth. Nourishment, witnessing, and rest are what mothers need and deserve during this incredibly sensitive time.
My Approach
My approach is holistic and mother-centered, with the utmost respect for the bond between mother and baby. I am here to be a helping hand and listening ear so that the you feel supported in doing the job that you do best: caring for and loving on your baby.
Postpartum care sessions can last from 3-8 hours, 2-5 days per week depending on your needs and budget. My services include:
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Cleaning and organizing the home to ensure that you can stay in bed and rest, especially in the early weeks.
Birth story witnessing and integration, giving you an opportunity to share and process your birth experience, whether it was joyful, difficult, or somewhere in-between.
Cooking nourishing meals optimized for the postpartum period to replenish you after pregnancy and birth. ​
Preparing herbal infusions to support lactation, rest, and recovery.
Childcare for the new baby, if desired, so that you can take a shower, nap, or otherwise take care of yourself.
Childcare for older children in the home, assisting with sibling integration and/ or allowing you to focus on the new baby.
Anything else the mother or family may need, including errands and family assistant tasks like grocery shopping, unboxing packages, etc.
Please note that although I only attend women in birth who are planning a home birth, my postpartum care services are available to all women, regardless of where or how they have birthed.
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Although I am a newly trained care provider, I bring 11+ years of in-home nanny experience specializing in babies and toddlers to the table. I am currently offering postpartum care services at a discounted rate of $25/hour to my first few clients. Please get in touch to schedule a call and see if we are a good fit to work together.