Your "Postpartum Plan" Is As Important As Your Birth Plan

Many people have heard of writing a birth plan--and a postpartum plan can be just as important.  Mara Acel-Green, a psychotherapist specializing in postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders, has created the form below for families to use when choosing who will help them through the enormous changes of the postpartum time.  Some other resources I love are the sample postpartum plan at Dona.org, a post from That Wife which touches on the importance of planning who will help you with breastfeeding, and Molly Remer's account of pushing herself too hard during her postpartum.  Also see pages 220-221 of The Doula Guide to Birth for more information on postpartum plans.  I encourage all expectant parents to be able to answer the questions below provided by Mara Acel-Green, and be clear in advance who you will ask for help postpartum.

Positive Postpartum Plan

Our family's plan is to have a smooth postpartum period. We know that we will be tired even when things go well, and we will need some additional support.

Our village (support people) with phone numbers (friends, family, neighbors, religious community, babysitters, and professionals):

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

People who will cook or coordinate healthy food (such as getting takeout gift cards, coordinating Mealtrain or Lotsa Helping Hands).  Don't forget to have a couple of grocery lists available for people who want to shop, as well as round-trip printed directions from your house to grocery stores available for those who ask!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

People who will specifically support the new mother (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

People who will specifically support the partner/spouse/husband (including times of day available) for rests, showers, walking partners, visits, phone/Skype chats, positive parenting support/advice, and anything else he/she needs. Great to organize at the shower or religious birth ritual.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

People who will specifically support other child/ren.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Mom's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Partner/spouse/husband's self-care plan (if you love to do it and it makes you happy, make time for it!)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Mara Acel-Green, LICSW, has a private practice in Belmont, MA where she sees pregnant and postpartum women and their families. She can be found at www.maragreen.com. Check out postpartum.net for a full array of state-by-state resources.