How Birth Partners can Support Postpartum Care
The period immediately postpartum comes with many physiologic changes from the decline and fluctuation of hormones that maintained pregnancy to involution (the shrinking of the uterus and other pelvic organs). It may also involve wound care from tears in the perineum or a cesarean birth scar. These months are in an important time for the birthing person to heal and recover from the major life experience of birth. Partners, whether they are spouses, parents, siblings, friends, or paid professionals, can be an amazing help during this time to reduce the burden on the birthing parent as they are healing.
Wound healing
If they have experienced a perineal tear or a cesarean birth, wound healing is of utmost importance. They will likely be given instructions when leaving hospital, but the main goal is to keep the wound clean and dry. This will include washing with a mild, unscented soap and gently patting dry. She should take care to not do anything to agitate the wounds while they are healing. For a cesarean incision, this means bracing it with a pillow while coughing or sneezing and avoiding any lifting heavier than the baby.
All birthing people also have another wound postpartum inside the uterus where the placenta detached. Though they do not need to do anything externally to care for this wound, they do need to make sure they do not agitate it by being overly active. As this wound heals, they should expect lochia (bleeding) from the vagina (whether from a vaginal birth or cesarean) that starts heavy and red and tapers off within four weeks.
Partners can help with healing by
Helping with household chores and heavy lifting
Preparing Sitz baths or perineal pads. A sitz bath is a warm or cool shallow bath that comes up to the hips when sat in. It can be very soothing for the perineum and may include herbs with the support of a knowledgeable herbalist. However, the sitz bath should never include scented soaps or bubble bath.
Perineal pads are cool soothing pads that can be applied to the perineum. They may have soothing agents such as witch hazel or be frozen and applied for short periods of time.
Keeping an eye out for excessive or prolonged bleeding or any other signs of Illness, injury, and infection and never hesitate to call her doctor.
Rest and nourishment
The most important things the birthing person can do in the postpartum period are to rest and nourish herself with food. The first weeks should be exclusively dedicated to this with minimal interruptions from guests and responsibilities. Many cultures globally have a tradition of “lying in” during postpartum were the birthing person follows protocols for optimal rest and nourishment. This is an option for people who feel called to it. Birth and breastfeeding are comparable to running a marathon and quickly sap energy and nutrients from the mother.
Partners can help by:
Making sure any guests are there to help around the house, care for siblings, or cook for the family, not be entertained by the new family.
Taking care of chores and household tasks and by cooking or organizing a meal train- a schedule of friends and family ordering or dropping off meals to help the new family.
Some birthing people are concerned about when they can return to their exercise routines and “bounce back to their pre pregnancy bodies”. This is a personal decision between a woman and her doctor at the six week check up. She should at least be completely healed when she returns to exercise. It is important to remember though that it is healthy and normal to retain baby weight. The extra weight helps with breast milk production and the loss of nutrients she will face. Partners can remind the birthing parent to show themselves love during this time where she may not even recognize their bodies.
During the initial six week period, she can however practice kegels for pelvic floor health. She should also be encouraged to see a pelvic floor physical therapist if possible. This has been shown to greatly improve healing. The best healing of the pelvic floor, however, will occur when she is able to return to exercise and strengthen her core again, which supports the pelvic bowl.
Breastfeeding
Partners can also help support breastfeeding, if that is what mom chooses. Though bottle feeding is not recommended before baby has a firm grasp on breastfeeding, a partner can support mom by:
Setting up and maintaining breastfeeding stations complete with water, snacks, pillows, nipple cream and pads, and other supplies.
Handling other tasks during night feeds such as waking up to change diapers and rock the baby back to sleep after mom nurses. This gives both partners opportunities to bond with baby.
Being emotionally supportive during the breastfeeding journey. This is a time that can be challenging to some moms and may come with feelings of insecurity or inadequacy.
Emotional healing
On the topic of emotional healing, birthing people also need the opportunity to process their feelings surrounding birth. They should write or talk about their birth experience and the feelings associated with it to a trusted individual whenever possible.
A good partner can
Actively listen and hold space these feelings as they are being processed.
Look out for more concerning emotional symptoms postpartum. Though “baby blues” are normal, sustained depression of periods over two weeks are not. If symptoms of postpartum mood disorders are present, mom should seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms to look out for are persistent for more than two weeks and include:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Sadness
Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Crying
Reduced concentration
Appetite problems
Trouble sleeping
and thoughts of harming self or baby
