Preparing for Life After Birth

 

Book Recommendations

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In much of the world, the first three months after giving birth is a sacred time for connection to baby, nourishment of the new mother, guidance and support from surrounding women in their communities.

In our culture, there’s a lot of pressure to bounce back quickly - just take a look at the average maternity leaves across this country (if you haven’t watched Jessica Shortall’s TED Talk, watch it now).

We know that the plan of holing up in our homes for over a month with loved ones cooking nourishing meals might not be realistic or even appealing. But, spending time preparing for the postpartum period - knowing what to expect, how to set boundaries, and learning practical ways to take care of ourselves (hint: ask for/don’t decline help!!) can make a big difference.

Some of our favorite resources on the fourth trimester cover these topics. They help us understand what’s in store, inform us of important things to look out for, and educate us on when to get help.

"It's time to change our ways, to pick up the threads of knowledge that we forgot and weave them into a new kind of fabric to hold the mother. We must do it for ourselves and for our children, because the way women become mothers profoundly affects the way their children awaken to this world. When you take care of the mother, you take care of the child." — Heng Ou

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the first forty days by Heng Ou
the first forty days by Heng Ou

“This warm and encouraging guide offers advice on securing help during the postpartum period, navigating inevitable relationship challenges, and honoring the rite of passage that is pregnancy and birth.”

“The book includes 50+ simple and delicious recipes for healing soups; replenishing meals and snacks; and calming and lactation-boosting teas, all formulated to support the unique needs of the new mother (and to feed hungry partners, too).” Heng Ou

The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar Serrallach
The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar Serrallach

Dr. Oscar Serrallach educates us on the huge hole in our thinking and treatment of new mothers. PSA: postnatal depletion (a fairly new term to most of us) doesn’t just affect new mothers—it can have an impact for years after giving birth. He argues there is not even healthy dialogue around this concept let alone healthy societal awareness and information.

Dr. Serrallach breaks down what ‘postnatal depletion’ really means. He also shares many stories of mothers who have come to see him, and treatment plans to help them recover from pregnancy and birth (even years after their kids were born). He really gets into the details here - educating us on what micronutrients we might be lacking (and the symptoms that come along with that) so we can open up that dialogue with our doctors.

The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson

If you read one book in anticipation of the months post birth, we’d be inclined to say that this would be it. We read it during our fourth trimester, but we recommend starting towards the end of your pregnancy if possible.

It’s a holistic guide for the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual changes that a woman goes through from birth into motherhood. It’s almost like having your very own postpartum doula in your pocket.

What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks, MD and Catherine Birndorf, MD
What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks, MD and Catherine Birndorf, MD

This one’s a repeat from the pregnancy section, because if you didn’t read it then, you should definitely read it now. Alexandra Sacks, MD and Catherine Bindorf, MD, two of the top reproductive psychiatrists in the US have written the first comprehensive guide to help new moms understand the emotional changes that happen through matrescence - the transformation from woman into mother.

We love how it’s so accessible, and how we can really relate. It also covers important insights into being on psychiatric medications while pregnant and breastfeeding, an area where it’s challenging to find evidence based information.

Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Cribsheet by Emily Oster

If you liked Expecting Better, Emily Oster’s back! In her second book - she has the same data-driven approach, helping parents feel more at ease with the choices they make - from breastfeeding to sleep training.

What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks, MD and Catherine Birndorf, MD
What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks, MD and Catherine Birndorf, MD

Alexandra Sacks, MD, and Catherine Birndorf, MD, two of the top reproductive psychiatrists in the U.S. have written the first comprehensive guide to the emotional changes that happen through matrescence, the transformation from woman into mother.

We love how accessible the book is and how we can relate to the common fears and questions addressed in the book but are often glossed over elsewhere. The book also covers important topics,  like being on psychiatric medications while pregnant and breastfeeding, an area where it’s challenging to find evidence-based explanations.

 
 
 
Fourth TrimesterCaroline BennettWellness, Products