I gave birth for the first time almost 4 years ago. It felt absolutely WILD. This is by no means a comprehensive telling of my birth story. But I will start with sharing some of the good and some of the bad details from that birth, as they inform my preparation for my upcoming birth.

If you are not in a place to read anything negative about giving birth, skip this one.

If you dig, you will find that all around the world and throughout history there are shared principals in tending to the postpartum period. The details may be different, but the themes repeat themselves. There are herbal baths, herbal teas and medicine, massage and warmth being brought to the body, supporting the hips and core with fabric as the abdomen, hips and womb all readjust after having grown and birthed a new life, wearing our babies on our bodies… I came away feeling more confident to integrate this holistic care into my work with my dear clients!

In many Western countries, there’s a mismatch between how we expect babies to sleep and how babies actually sleep — and that mismatch can create a lot of anxiety and stress for new parents.

The postpartum period is not only a time for the birth giver to heal and for the baby to grow — it’s also a powerful opportunity for partners to step up and lead with love.

I remember sitting with my newborn, cooing “I love you so much,” and “Hi, my little beauty,” but after a while… I’d run out of things to say. Narrating my every move—“Now I’m folding laundry!”—felt unnatural and forced.

Welcoming a newborn is a joyous occasion, but it can also bring overwhelming changes. The intense, nonstop needs of a baby can make even simple tasks feel monumental, as your responsibilities multiply. By compiling your support team prenatally, you’ll be better equipped to rest and recover postpartum. Creating a well-thought-out care plan can make a significant difference as once you are postpartum, you can settle in and focus on nurturing your baby while receiving essential support that you have already put in place.