Start Here for a Better Postpartum

[00:00:01] Becoming a mom can feel like stepping into the unknown, but what if having the right information could make it feel a little less overwhelming? Hi, and welcome to the Postpartum Prep Podcast. I'm Keridwen, your host. I'm a postpartum doula and lactation counsellor, and I'm so grateful to have you here today.

[00:00:22] Whether you're pregnant and preparing for postpartum, or you're already in the thick of new motherhood, this podcast is here to support you through one of the biggest transitions of your life. In this very first episode, I want to share why I created this podcast, why information is one of the most powerful tools you can have for postpartum, and what you can expect from future episodes. If you're here, I'm guessing that's because you want to be more prepared for postpartum, and I'm so glad you do.

[00:00:52] I created this podcast because I've seen, both in my work and in my own journey, how much of a difference it makes when new moms feel supported and informed. When I had my baby, I thought I was prepared, but once my baby arrived, there were questions I didn't even know I'd have, and that honestly could feel pretty overwhelming at times.

[00:01:19] In the end, what helped me the most wasn't actually having all the answers, because the reality is, in motherhood, there often are no right answers. And being able to navigate that grey area was actually the most important skill that I had to develop through practice as a new mom.

[00:01:40] What truly helped me the most was having support from people who could remind me to trust myself, who could give me information about my options without being judgmental or having their own opinions, and who also helped me to see that I wasn't alone. And that's the heart of this podcast.

[00:02:00] I'm here to share what I've learned, both personally and professionally as a postpartum doula and lactation counselor, with the intention of helping you to feel more confident, more grounded, and more supported as you prepare for life after birth. Because I believe that new moms deserve to enter motherhood feeling seen, supported, and empowered.

[00:02:23] But for this podcast episode, I really want to focus specifically on why information is so important for new moms. And I really want to chat about how information can be a source of empowerment as you journey through the messy and magical transition of early motherhood. Here's a few reasons why information matters.

[00:02:45] First, when you have the right information, it can help to guide you in making your own informed choices with confidence. Instead of having to navigate the overwhelm of a constant stream of unsolicited advice, you can trust that you're making choices that align with your values, your baby, and your unique circumstances.

[00:03:10] An example from my own experience, I remember feeling really worried about my baby's sleep. Because I'd read that babies should be sleeping a certain number of hours, but my baby slept less than that. I kept reading advice about what I should be doing to make him sleep more, But I wasn't really comfortable with those suggestions.

[00:03:37] And honestly, I felt like my baby was fine with the amount of sleep he was getting. And then I came across some evidence-based information from the Sleep Foundation about the normal ranges of how much babies might sleep per day. And it completely shifted my perspective because I learned that my baby was actually within the normal range.

[00:04:03] That information gave me the peace of mind to trust that his sleep didn't need fixing and that he was getting the perfect amount of sleep for his unique needs. And so the information from the Sleep Foundation essentially helped me to make an informed choice, which was to just keep doing what we were doing. So supporting informed choice, that's the first reason why information can be empowering for new moms.

[00:04:34] Then another reason is that having information can actually help to prevent some common postpartum challenges. For example, understanding how breastfeeding works before you give birth, especially things like signs of a good latch and the rule of demand and supply, and also signs that you might need further support. All of that can really help you to get a better start to breastfeeding and catch any problems sooner rather than later.

[00:05:01] Because let's be real, when you're sleep-deprived and emotional after giving birth, then already having some breastfeeding tips and tricks in your pocket can really help to make those early days feel so much smoother. And the other thing is, unfortunately, myths about breastfeeding can be quite common, even among healthcare providers.

[00:05:25] And often these myths can actually kind of unintentionally, but they can kind of sabotage breastfeeding. So it can be helpful to have your own foundation of knowledge to weigh other people's advice against. When it comes to using information as preventative care like this, it's not about needing to be perfect and needing to know everything.

[00:05:53] It's just about having enough information to guide you along the path. Of course, postpartum is unpredictable. No amount of preparation can prevent every tough moment. And this brings me to my last point about information as a form of empowerment, in that it can give you knowledge and tools to problem-solve when challenges do arise. You'll be more able to recognize when something is normal versus when to seek help,

[00:06:22] how to advocate for yourself and your baby, and ultimately to navigate those moments with more clarity. It's not about having all the answers ahead of time. It's about having enough information to feel anchored, even when things feel uncertain. Helping to empower you with information is what I do as a postpartum doula, and it's why I've created this podcast.

[00:06:49] And while we'll explore what you need to know to have a better postpartum, we'll also talk about all the things that often get glossed over in traditional postpartum prep, like how to trust your intuition and make informed choices with confidence. We'll explore the emotional transformation of becoming a mother, the power of community, and how to navigate the overwhelming advice that often comes your way.

[00:07:14] Each episode will be designed to give you insights that are practical and easy to digest, because I'm here to help you navigate the noise of unsolicited advice, not add to it. At the heart of it all, my intention is to provide information to help you make choices that feel right for you and your family. So if you're ready to feel supported and confident as you navigate postpartum,

[00:07:41] hit subscribe and you'll have me right there with you, one episode at a time. And if there's ever a topic you'd love me to cover, please send me a DM on Instagram to let me know. This podcast is for you and I'd love to support you in ways that matter most to you on your postpartum prep journey. To help you get started, I have a free postpartum prep guide, which teaches you my signature three-step process to prepare for postpartum.

[00:08:11] This free guide walks you through step-by-step everything you need to prepare for a smoother postpartum and even includes a checklist for things to learn about. You can grab your copy at doulacove.com slash guide. And if you want to actually get started with your learning, then you can check out my postpartum prep program, which includes a course with all the essential information about postpartum recovery, newborn care, sleep, mental health, breastfeeding and so much more.

[00:08:41] With my postpartum prep program, you can also get a postpartum plan template plus personal support from me. So check out the show notes to grab your free postpartum prep guide. And you'll also find everything you need to know about my course there as well. Thanks for being here with me today. This episode is just the beginning and I can't wait to walk alongside you on your journey into motherhood.

[00:09:09] As we bring this episode to a close, take a deep breath and remember, you're already everything your baby needs you to be, just as you are. I'll see you in the next episode. I'll see you in the next episode.