When you hear “Postpartum”, what do you think? Most will
answer, new baby, maternity leave, or even Postpartum Depression. In Webster’s
Dictionary, it is defined “following
child birth, or the birth of a young”. If you think about it, to our
culture Postpartum is just that. In the United States, most people are clueless
about the Postpartum period a woman goes through. Simply because of what we are
taught, here in America.
In most culture’s a woman is given what is called “Cushion period”. This
is a period that last 8-40 days before she, returns to normal duties.
(Kruckman, 1992/Raphael, 1973) In this time, she is massaged with herbs and
essential oils. She is also isolated from the rest of the house with her baby
and the ladies who are tending to her. Her only job this period is to recover
and bond with her baby. There are other cultures where she is given 6 months to
2 years of maternity leave, without the fear of losing her job or income
(Nurturing the Family, J. Keller). It sounds amazing when you think about it.
In America, we offer the least support in the world! We offer new mothers, tangible items. We offer things like car seats, strollers, toys, clothes, diapers and even How to books. But we rarely offer actual support for the new parents or new mother
“For new parents, the challenges are numerous—recovery from birth; total responsibility for a tiny dependent newborn; sleeplessness; emotional adjustment; mastery of infant feeding and care; understanding of and adjustment to the unique personality of their baby; and household organization. Sometimes the physical or emotional health of the new mother or baby is compromised, and the parents need more support at home than they had expected” – The Postpartum Doula’s Role in Maternity Care Position Paper.
In the United
States, 20% of women suffer from postpartum depression. And while it can
frequently be caused by medical issues such as a chemical imbalance, sometimes
it is just caused from feeling alone. Feeling like you have no one to turn to,
feeling like you are standing on the outside of your body, and not knowing why.
Just finding it hard to get up out of bed and face the world. This can be very
difficult for some to handle.
“Depression and/or anxiety related to childbearing is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated disorder. We now know that at least 10 percent of pregnant and postpartum woman suffer from this disorder. Fathers are also affected as well as those who adopt. These individuals need professional help as soon as possible” – Jane I. Honikman, M.S
In my profession as a Postpartum Doula I am doing what I can to make an open and honest space for woman. To help woman take back Postpartum! To help woman understand that we are not Heidi Klum, who can walk a run away 5 weeks postpartum.
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| Heidi 2009 from UsWeekly |
That we took 9 months to grow this beautiful blessing, and it will take time to return to "normal".
It's ok to...
- Tired
- Sore
- Frusterated
- cry
- still be in maternity 3wks+
- Want a moment to breath
- hungry
- want a shower
- cry because walking to the kitchen is exhausting
- and so many more!
Postpartum isn't a race, it isn't who can return to every day life the fastest! It's the moment in time where you should embrace this tiny human, and its a time when the woman of your village come and care for you! It's also the time that your Postpartum Doula comes in and makes sure that you get your cushion period. And love it! Postpartum is no longer a dirty word, its a moment in time that you cherish!
If you are interested in Postpartum Doula services, please feel free to contact. I service the Hampton Roads area of VA.
Tina the Postpartum Doula * www.facebook.com/tinathepostpartumdoula * tinathedoula@gmail.com
