6 Experts to Support Your Postpartum Recovery

You’re pregnant!

Ultrasounds! Birth Classes! Checkups! Baby Showers! Birth Plans!

Baby comes!

Swaddling! Breastfeeding! Shushing! Baby Bath! Weight Check! Alright, you get to take baby home! See you in 6 weeks!

6 week check-up:

You’re clear to resume activities. Want some birth control? See you in a year. Excuse me, what? So, am I recovered now? What does that even mean?

woman recovering childbirth

No mama should be left feeling confused or alone in her postpartum recovery. Here are some experts to guide you through!

1. A Chiropractor

Dr. April Morford of Chiropractic Now says chiropractic adjustments return a woman’s body to optimal condition, aid in decreasing inflammation, boost immunity, and allow communication between the nervous system and the body. Babies can also receive chiropractic care to address any misalignment which may affect eating, elimination, and sleeping. Chiropractic care is especially helpful for the emotional stress, anxiety, and fatigue experienced in postpartum.

2. A Massage Therapist

Amy Glass, LMT, explains massage is about regaining homeostasis. It gets the body’s lymphatic and muscular systems moving in a gentle, loving way. Massage facilitates healing and helps new mamas feel at peace in their own skin. Best of all, the benefit of a one hour massage is equal to four hours of sleep – which we all know postpartum mamas aren’t getting!

3. A Yoga Instructor

Yoga Bliss Owner, Darci Janzen recommends yoga to postpartum mamas so they can have a loving space to gather, connect, and build strength both physically and emotionally. She reminds us, “the sacred journey through recovery is not to be rushed. Be super gentle with yourself and go slow, sisters. You are so beautiful and so loved! The most important benefit of yoga is radical self-acceptance.” 

4. A Certified Lactation Consultant

An IBCLC can support mamas by providing accurate, specialized breastfeeding advice. Jessica Halley, IBCLC, advises new moms to have a plan for postpartum recovery: who to call for breastfeeding help, care for pets and kiddos, delegating household chores, and how to get plenty of rest. Groups like Milk Moms or La Leche League where you can talk and bond with other breastfeeding mamas.

5. A Counselor/Therapist/Life Coach

Everyone can benefit from the support of a licensed counselor, therapist, or life coach to process her birth story and approach healing as she is ready. I struggled with postpartum anxiety and therapy helped me to understand fear was causing the doubt and anxiety, and I could begin to work through it.

6. A Women’s Health Physiotherapist/A Trainer

Diastasis recti, perineal tear, c-section recovery, incontinence, low back pain, painful sex… many women may feel embarrassed about these issues and avoid seeking help when in reality almost every woman experiences at least one of these issues postpartum. Just because an issue is common does not mean you have to suffer through it. All postpartum women should see a physical therapist.

If you would like to start or return to working out postpartum, you may desire support from a specialized trainer. There is so much misinformation on the internet about what is safe for working out postpartum. Even if you were super fit prior and during pregnancy, exercise will be different for you during recovery. Hire someone who understands pelvic floor safety, hormones, and women’s health.

7. YOU

You are the only true expert on YOU. You know what is best for your baby, when to ask for help, & when to choose rest. Take time each day to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Who was/is on your postpartum recovery team?
Tag them in the comments and let them know how wonderful they are!

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Jenna Myrick
Jenna became Mama Myrick in January 2017 and is learning to embrace every up and down of mom life. Before mom life, Jenna was using her MS in Organizational Leadership and Professional Human Resources certification to develop corporate learning & development programs. Jenna lives tiny and loves big with her husband, son, and three dogs in Edmond, OK. She enjoys hiking, yoga, and iced decaf americanos. A semi-crunchy minimalist, she is on a mission to live a meaningful life, raise a loving family and make the world a better place. You can follow her adventures at http://myrickmusings.wordpress.com.

1 COMMENT

  1. Yes to postpartum care! I’m grateful for my midwife’s attention to my postpartum health, an online diastasis recti recovery program, and a physical therapist in Edmond. Also my husband and the village around me who knew I needed time. God has been good to me.

    I hope many women find this article helpful. Your body really does take a long time to bounce back.

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