Envisioning your Perfect Postpartum: Planning for Success

Listen to me read this to you at your preferred speed 👆

When I was preparing for the birth of my second child, I made it clear to one of the midwives on my hospital's team that I preferred minimal interventions if possible and… I sort of kind of hoped to catch my baby myself.

She was so supportive and kind, and on the day of the birth, allowed me the space to labor in water with minimal interference. When it was time to push, I was allowed to check my own progress, and eventually, I caught my daughter with my own hands and lifted her onto my chest.

As you might imagine, this experience made me feel really powerful and validated my decision to share my preferences, even though at the time, I wasn't sure it would even be possible to have this kind of birth experience.

Looking back, I realize the key takeaway from this experience is that you never know what's possible, but if I had never considered the possibility or shared it with my team, it would never have happened!

Dreaming up my best-case scenario and sharing it with the people who could help make it happen helped me see that this really did matter to me, no matter how much I said I was ready to let this birth go however it needed to go.

Benefits of Visualizing Your Postpartum Recovery

Now, many pregnant families prepare some version of a birth plan, like mine, but much fewer take the time to do the same with a postpartum plan.

So I’m here to help get you thinking and yes, dreaming because dreaming up your ideal postpartum recovery can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

By creating a positive vision of your postpartum period, you set the stage for a smoother and more fulfilling experience, whether that means you have a half-hour set aside for a warm bath every afternoon, you set up meal delivery services for the first 6 weeks postpartum, or you hire a postpartum doula you can check in with every single day so that you feel calm and confident as you get to know your baby.

Dreaming up your ideal postpartum scenario is not a waste of time and will not set you up for disappointment. In fact, the opposite is true! Thinking through how you’d love for things to go is the best way to get even just a few steps closer to your dreamy postpartum experience.

Here’s how it works:

1. Mental and Emotional Well-being: Dreaming up your vision prepares you for what's to come and helps you face any challenge because you've considered contingencies.

2. Clarifying What Matters: Creating your ideal scenario reveals what truly matters to you. The process of planning forces you to be selective and focused on your priorities.

3. Positive Expectations: Thinking through your best-case scenario can positively influence your recovery and outcomes by setting yourself up for a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Whether this practice of envisioning a dream scenario feels natural and easy, or awkward and idealistic, the truth is that plans and expectations do affect outcomes. By taking the time to dream up your best-case scenario, you can better prepare yourself for the postpartum period. Let’s talk about how to effectively create this vision and make it a reality.

Steps to Visualize (and Plan!) Your Ideal Postpartum

Creating a Detailed Vision:

Start by imagining what your ideal postpartum period looks like. Close your eyes and picture the different aspects of your daily life with your newborn. Think about what you want your days to feel like and the kind of support you’ll need.

Key Aspects to Consider:

1. Physical Recovery:

   How can you arrange your home for comfort? Create a cozy space where you can rest and recover, with easy access to all your essentials like charging cables for your devices, a large water bottle, hearty snacks you can eat one-handed, burp cloths, and wet wipes.

   Prepare a postpartum care kit that you can stash close to your cozy spot. During your next prenatal appointment, ask your provider what they recommend or typically send home with new parents.

2. Emotional Support:

   How can you establish a strong support system? This could include family, friends, and professionals such as postpartum doulas or counselors who can provide emotional support and guidance during this time of transition and growth.

   Plan for regular check-ins with your support network to ensure you’re feeling supported and heard. Schedule visits that matter to you, especially if you have family nearby who are eager to help out, or friends you need to connect with often.

3. Baby Care:

   How can you feel like you have everything you need? Think about the items and routines that will make baby care easier, such as setting up a dedicated feeding area, having a reliable supply of diapers and wipes, and creating a feeding schedule that works for you. Consider who can assist with baby care, whether it’s your partner, a family member, or a professional caregiver like a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist.

   Think about the things you'll need on hand as you look after your baby, such as a comfortable chair for feeding, nursing pillows, and a safe place to put the baby down when they are sleeping.

4. Household Management:

   How can you prepare your household so you can step away for several weeks? One way is to organize help for household chores. Arrange for meal prepping, set up a cleaning schedule, and organize baby stations (feeding, changing, sleeping areas) to keep everything in order.

   Consider outsourcing wherever possible for things like meals, cleaning, laundry, or pet care to reduce stress and allow you to focus on your recovery and your baby.

Get the Countdown Calendar in your inbox today!

Creating a detailed vision and plan for your postpartum period helps ensure that you are prepared for various scenarios and have the support you need to navigate this new chapter of your life. By thinking through these key aspects, you can create a nurturing environment for both you and your baby.

Adapting Your Vision to Reality

But what about when your dreamy vision is no longer possible because of medical complications, or the meticulous plans you laid out while pregnant feel stressful or misaligned once you've met your baby?

It might be tempting to throw the whole thing aside, but believe me when I say this visioning process is never a waste of time. Here's how to stay flexible and redeem the plans you made when your reality shifts:

1. Adapt the Plan:

   When it's clear that the plan isn't going to work in reality, be flexible with the things that need to change, and bring the essence of your vision with you into the updated plan. Maybe you dreamed of breastfeeding and now you need to introduce formula. Can you still continue to nurse a few times per day? Or would feeding your baby donated breastmilk feel better? If your plan included daily walks but now you find them exhausting, consider time spent outdoors in a different way. The key is to retain the core elements of your vision while making adjustments that suit your current circumstances.

2. Get Help as Needed:

   Lean on your support network to rearrange your plans and let their variety of experiences remind you that it's okay for things to be different than you expected. There are so many good, right, and beautiful ways to move through this postpartum experience. And of course it makes sense to feel disappointed when your plans don't fit your reality anymore. Reach out to your friends, family, or postpartum professionals if you're struggling. They can offer practical help, emotional support, and a fresh perspective to help you navigate these changes.

3. Maintain a Positive Outlook:

   Focus on what’s going well. Celebrate small victories and highlight the positive aspects of your experience. This can help you stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook. Create a highlight reel for yourself by noting down moments of joy, progress, and things that went right each day. Avoid dwelling on the things you can’t control during this season. Instead, remind yourself that this is a temporary phase, and your adaptability and resilience are key to making the best of it. Practicing self-care and maintaining a supportive routine can also contribute to a more positive mindset.

Dream a little dream

Planning and visualizing your postpartum period can help you set realistic expectations, prepare adequate support, and create an environment that nurtures both your physical and emotional health. By voicing your needs and desires and having a supportive team, you can achieve an empowering and fulfilling postpartum experience.

Visioning and dreaming up a best-case scenario can be incredibly helpful as it allows you to explore what truly matters to you and sets a positive framework for your plans. Taking planning one step further by envisioning your dream scenario first helps you identify your deepest desires and priorities, making your plans more intentional and aligned with your values. Even if reality shifts, this visioning process provides a core set of practices you can adapt to create a fulfilling postpartum experience.

Next Steps:

This post draws heavily from one of my lessons in the Prepping for Parenthood course. If you love this content, I encourage you to explore the course for more in-depth information and support.

The Prepping for Parenthood Course:

1. Comprehensive Modules: The course offers detailed modules covering all aspects of the postpartum period, including physical recovery, emotional support, and newborn care. Whether you're preparing for a surgical birth or a vaginal birth, the course provides valuable information to help you manage your recovery and adjust to life with a newborn.

2. Expert Guidance: Learn from me, a certified and experienced postpartum doula, about topics like postpartum preparation, newborn care, lactation, and safe infant sleep. My goal is to provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate this new phase of life.

3. Flexible Learning: Access the course materials at your own pace, allowing you to revisit important topics as needed. This flexibility ensures that you can fit the course into your busy schedule as a new parent.

By enrolling in Prepping for Parenthood, you'll gain access to a wealth of knowledge and support that can make a significant difference in your postpartum experience.

Share Your Story!

I want to hear from you! Your experiences and insights are valuable, not only to me but also to other new parents who may be reading this post. Here are some ways to engage and connect:

Leave a comment below:  What is a dreamy dream vision you have for the postpartum period?

Or send me a DM on Instagram to share your vision and how you hope to bring it into reality. Your stories can provide support and comfort to others going through similar experiences ❤️

Join My Community:

Sign up for my newsletter to receive regular updates, encouragements, and support for new parents. The newsletter is filled with practical advice, personal stories, and resources to help you through the fourth trimester and beyond.

Explore More Resources:

Check out my other blog posts on postpartum care, physical recovery, and emotional support. Here are a few you might find helpful:

• How to Prepare for Postpartum: A Comprehensive Guide for Pregnant families

• What is a Postpartum Doula and How Can They Help You?

• 4 Practical Ways a Virtual Postpartum Doula Can Help

Learn More About My Postpartum Doula Services:

Interested in personalized support? Learn more about my Day with a Doula and All Access Doula Pass services, which allow you to reach out for one-on-one doula care when you need it most! These services offer tailored support and guidance to help you navigate the challenges of early parenthood with confidence.

Related Posts