So, you’ve read all the books, practised breathing techniques and written your birth plan. Now it’s time to focus on what comes next…..life with an actual baby!

The postnatal period is so often overlooked when preparing to have a baby but it really is a crucial time to be resting, recovering and bonding with your baby. 

My workshop helps you plan for life after the birth of your baby, offering a safe space to discuss what this might be like, what to expect physically and emotionally in the days and weeks after giving birth as well as a baby’s experience of transitioning from the womb to the world.  We’ll look at the practicalities of everyday life, divvy up household responsibilities and highlight areas where a little extra support may be needed.

Why is this important? Because in our culture the postnatal period is given far too little significance, with knock on effects. Across the world other cultures embrace the practise of “lying in”, where a new mother is looked after after giving birth. She is relieved of household responsibilities, fed nourishing foods, massaged and expected to do nothing but rest and get to know her baby. (I have lots of examples of beautiful postnatal rituals to tell you!). Research has found that in these cultures, where new mothers are put first, they are also: 

• at a reduced risk of developing postnatal depression

 • more likely to establish and continue breastfeeding 

• more confident in their role as a mother and in caring for their baby 

You might be thinking it’s unrealistic and indulgent to simply hang out at home and not pick up the hoover for several weeks. You have too much to do, life goes on. You have messages to respond to, meals to cook, laundry to do, bills to pay and perhaps even older children that need looking after. With the challenges of a modern lifestyle still ongoing, you can see how it really does “take a village to raise a child”. That village might be made up of a partner, family and friends.

With your Postnatal Plan you will feel prepared and able to balance your need for rest and recovery with the challenges of modern living. You’ll have a tool to put in place the structure and support your family needs to have a smooth and positive start to parenthood.

I run my postnatal planning workshop for all the families I work with or you can book it separately on request.