Ep 35 {postpartum series} #3- The 4th trimester: What I WISH I had! A doula explains...

Ep 35 {postpartum series} #3- The 4th trimester: What I WISH I had and what I suggest you DO have. I had an interesting birth/postpartum experience, one I've not shared publicly and probably never will, from when my first baby was born. It was (years later) explained to me that it was a trauma and that day and some following months led to a lot of mental pain, not causing but definitely contributing to my postpartum depression. I can say that I had a great doula who walked me through everything birth related beforehand and was the absolute best support and coach for my husband we could have EVER asked for on the day of birth. Ann Marie led us through the best birth experience, one we will always talk about, so much so that she was our doula for baby #2 as well and we, again, won't stop with how much we needed her support to keep us focused and on-plan (because you know me, I need and love a plan that doesn't change!).

But, on that day there was a lot going on that we just couldn't control (physically everything went according to plan but there are people/things you just can't account for) and I couldn't be more grateful for the people that did show up for us, braving snow storms to say congratulations, not the MOMENT she was born but when we were ready, or flying cross country into weather that was nothing less than the worst (aka below freezing) and showing up mere hours after she arrived in the wee minutes past midnight to bestow much needed hugs. We had great support in the 2-3 weeks after, but as they left to return to another state leaving us as a happy couple with a tiny human to keep alive, still, "I" needed more and I didn't even know it.

Everyone wants to hold the brand new baby but that's not truly helping a mom who is newly postpartum, DO something for them, she's got (and needs) the baby holding part, but who has the mom holding part?

Listen to Maricel explain what I think is the best thing you can do for yourself on your postpartum journey.

You can find Maricel at www.raisingmoms.net

You can follow her on IG @raising_moms

You can download her *amazing* postpartum checklist here: *email nicci_stressless@gmail.com or DM Maricel and she'll send it to you directly!

Find Nicci at www.stressless-lifestyle.com

You can follow her on IG @nicci_stressless