postpartum self-care class - what would you teach?

[raeben]

hey ladies,
i am teaching a class in a couple of weeks on the topic of postpartum self-care. i will definitely be covering topics like perineal care, nipple care, dealing with mood swings, resources for baby blues, writing an "after birth plan", identifying and actually using personal and community resources in the best ways possible, when you might want a pp doula, nutrition and herbs, sex after pp healing, the return of fertility, pp body image, diet and exercise, etc.

is there things that you would add to these topics? feel free to post your best advice to newly pp moms. i'll post my outline when i am done but i'd love your input.
thanks!

[b'earth angel]

Are you including homebirth in this as well or just hospital birthing and then the PP period? I ask because there are many things to check for: maternal temp, infant temp, blood loss, uterus size, pulse, etc. etc. that you watch for after a homebirth, different from hospital birthing where the staff does it for you.

Number of soiled diapers, infant's breathing patterns. Not to scare new moms, but what about warning signs for heart problems, etc in the newborn? When to call the doctor type things.

[doula Michele]

how about dealing with guilt?
Just guilt as a mom, guilt about not being supper mom, guilt about the pile of laundry not folded. Teach them overall relax and enjoy and quite stressing about every little thing.

[raeben]

Quote:

Originally Posted by b'earth angel Are you including homebirth in this as well or just hospital birthing and then the PP period? I ask because there are many things to check for: maternal temp, infant temp, blood loss, uterus size, pulse, etc. etc. that you watch for after a homebirth, different from hospital birthing where the staff does it for you. Number of soiled diapers, infant's breathing patterns. Not to scare new moms, but what about warning signs for heart problems, etc in the newborn? When to call the doctor type things.

at this point (as far as i know) all the clients are doing hosp births. i'm going to leave plenty of time for Q&A and would like it to be kind of guided by what people's needs are so i'll definitely feel out any homebirth questions. that's a good reminder about the diapers & breathing patterns - i hadn't thought to cover those things but i totally have handouts for them.

the class will have some pregnant couples and some reciently postpartum families so it's kind of a broad field to teach to.

[Garden Doula]

I would have them write out a postpartum help plan... like fill in the days and hours with who will do what to help them... laundry, cooking, other child care, etc for the first two weeks (if they already have had a child) or four weeks if this is their first.

I would also a do a breastfeeding trouble-shooting part... mastitis, nipple pain, thrush, etc.\

Come to think of it, I think I might have them create an "After" Birth plan... with support people listed for all the possible issues.

Okay, now that I've typed that out I am TOTALLY having my students do this

[doulajamie]

What about circumcision care? How to choose a quality child care provider? How to find a reliable babysitter?