End the 6 Week Myth

   Postpartum Adjustment is not determined by the size of your uterus because it is not strictly physical. The overall emotional and mental postpartum adjustment typically takes months.  And for some, it may take the full year. 

       Many moms are misled to believe that at 6 weeks, they should be recovered.  And what if you reach that deadline and you are NO WHERE NEAR healed or feeling like yourself? Processing your birth experience, physical recovery from pregnancy/birth/c-section, integrating your role as a mother or adjusting to a new baby while still caring for your other children, not sleeping, and breastfeeding your baby.....in a time and place where moms are given very little preparation and almost no care?  Not many moms are able to do all that in 6 weeks!  Giving false expectations without tools to empower them in this process is negligent and cruel.  

 I've started with clients who were 2-4 months postpartum....and often this involves going back to heal birth trauma, the feelings of loss/isolation, help them rebuild or define how they want to mother and learning how to take care of themselves and their babies.   (There are some Postpartum Doulas who strictly limit Postpartum Doula Care to the first 6 weeks.  If you you are more than 6 weeks postpartum and unable to find help, please contact me.  Regardless of where you live, I can help connect you with resources and create a plan to help.)

    Finally, from a clinical psychological stand point, if mom develops Anxiety or Depression 8 months after birth, it will be diagnosed as Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Postpartum OCD, etc. 
          
         I resent the "one size fits all" approach. Some mamas need more time.  Some mamas have more to heal and recover from or less resources.  For now, I'll stick with the "CHILDBEARING YEAR" because it is much more representative.  There are stages and levels you'll approach way before the first year ends, but it's more realistic.  
         For my favorite in-depth exploration, please read and share this book: The Year After Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.  
         

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