 Image credit: @MaternalMentalHealthUtah What are the most common markers of postpartum recovery? Social media inundates us with images of “perfect” postpartum bodies, bombards us with words like “bounce back,” and encourages us to lose the weight quickly. With my first baby, I went to the doctor for the usual 6 week post-delivery appointment. Despite post-birth pain I was having at the time, some lingering lactation issues, and a vague feeling on some days that I was drowning in uncertainty, I was cheerfully “cleared to return to all regular activities!” Great, I thought. Normal. What does that even mean?
Nearly 6 years after the birth of my first, I’ve learned a great deal about the importance of postpartum care for new parents--both the parent that actually gave birth and the supporting partner. That care can come in many formats, from accepting help from friends and family, to hiring a postpartum doula, to creating a plan of self-care before the birth. Bluebird Baby Company sells products designed to nourish the postpartum body and soul, but we’re also happy to share our recipes too if you find you have time on your hands and want to get creative in the kitchen. And finally, maybe one of the most important components of the postpartum experience is managing expectations. Every experience is uniquely yours. Generally speaking, healing from pregnancy and birth takes longer than 6 weeks. It’s good to remember some other markers of recovery too, such as learning to ask for (and accept) help, understanding there will be tough days and amazing days, learning to find time for yourself--even if it’s just a few minutes. Feeling supported, connecting to others, getting enough sleep, and not expecting perfection all help contribute to a sense of well-being and make the adjustment into parenthood a little easier.
0 Comments
 Thinking about hiring a birth doula? What about a postpartum doula? What’s the difference? Why can’t my partner just fulfill these support roles--what’s so special about a doula?
There are so many things to figure out before Baby comes that sorting out whether or not to hire a doula might feel like a daunting task. And while it’s impossible to completely control a birth story, it’s been shown consistently that having a doula present positively impacts the outcome. Birth doulas are trained professionals who provide support through labor and delivery, wherever those processes take place--at home, in birth centers, or in hospitals. They are dedicated to supporting you through the whole process. If you are delivering in a birth center or hospital, labor nurses often have many patients at the same time and are unable to do much more than pop in and out to check on progress. Here is a breakdown of a birth doula’s duties: Birth doulas provide comfort such as massage, positioning aid, relaxation, and more. We do not perform clinical tasks such as cervical exams, fetal heart monitoring, or delivering baby--that’s left for doctors and midwives (and of course, mom!). Birth doulas facilitate communication, share information, and encourage informed consent. We do not offer medical advice, judge choices, or push a personal agenda. We are there to support you in your birth process and help remind you of your preferences when things get tough. Want to change your mind halfway through? That’s okay, we’ll help you through that process too. Birth doulas complement the nurse's role and function as a non-medical part of the birth team, providing flexible support throughout different scenarios. We do not create a barrier between the nurse and patient, a hostile environment, or micromanage the family’s birth experience. Birth doulas encourage and provide gentle guidance to a partner throughout labor, birth, and early postpartum. We do not attempt to replace your birth partner or family members--birth partners are critical to success! Now that Baby is finally here, the real adventure begins. Postpartum doulas can help you make the transition into a new family unit more smooth. We provide services to new families that nurture both baby and new parents. Services range from cooking meals, light cleaning, and breastfeeding/bottle feeding support, to overnight shifts that let you recuperate and get some sleep. The health and well-being of new parents is often overlooked in our rushed and modern society. Our goal is to build a safe and nurturing environment around all new families. |
RSS Feed
Serving all birth centers, hospitals, and home births with independent midwives in the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas:
St. Luke's-Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Wood River (mileage fee applies)
St. Alphonsus-Boise and Nampa
Treasure Valley Midwives
New Beginnings
Boise River
Family Tree Midwifery
TriWest Provider
Copyright 2025 Bluebird Baby Company LLC
Boise, Idaho