There’s a whole industry built on wedding planning and it’s valued at $1.4 billion this year in the United States. Our country has over 35,500 people employed as wedding planners. There’s even a movie on the subject (J. Lo and Matthew McConaughey, anyone?!). That’s a lot of money and staff (and good-looking movie stars!) devoted to putting together events that last for just one day. As a postpartum doula, I wish expecting parents had this level of support in preparing for their fourth trimester, which lasts for 12 weeks or 84 days!
Having a baby deserves just as much forethought but our society isn’t as familiar with the concept. For many women, postpartum planning includes registering for baby shower gifts, putting together the crib and washing onesies. That was about all I did when I had my first baby eleven years ago.
I wish I had put some more thought into it. I wish I had seen beyond the registry and prepared myself mentally and emotionally for the big changes that come along with having a baby because, boy, it’s intense! I spent very little time thinking about and anticipating my own needs as a mother. It was all about the baby-to-be, which is important, of course, but new moms matter, too. I wish someone had told me that.
Postpartum Support Charleston hopes to change this dynamic for new moms and families in the Lowcountry. We’ll be offering postpartum planning workshops to pregnant women and their partners in the new year. The workshops will offer education, support and resources around a variety of topics that soon-to-be parents may not have even considered. Moving into parenthood armed with knowledge, reasonable expectations and community support will help make the fourth trimester a less stressful time.
What will the workshop cover? Here’s a sneak preview:
- Physical recovery from childbirth
- Prioritizing self-care
- Decisions around baby’s feeding and sleeping
- Setting boundaries with family and friends
- Defining a support system
- Communication skills and roles within the family
- Postpartum mental health awareness
If you are expecting a baby and are interested in joining a workshop, please sign up for PSC’s Beyond Delivery program. Workshop seats will be offered to Beyond Delivery participants first. Plus who doesn’t want a homemade lasagna and diaper care package delivered right to your door?!
If you’ve already had your baby, please spread the word about PSC’s services to your pregnant friends. Be honest with them about life with a newborn and what to expect as a new mom. Let them know that planning ahead of time is well worth the effort.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our workshops in 2024.
– Jenna Arsenault is a postpartum doula who specializes in maternal mental health and serves on PSC’s Board of Directors. Follow her on Instagram @jennadoula.