Category: Wellness

Steps to Wellness, Part 3.

4/3/2018

When moms contact me, questioning their emotional roller coasters during pregnancy or during their postpartum year, I always start back at the basics. The Steps to Wellness were developed by Jane Honikman, founder of PEP and later Postpartum International. More than thirty years later, they are just as relevant to all people, especially new parents.

Today I am going to review steps 7-8. Jane addresses practical support and referrals to resources. I am adding treatment as step 9. This is the step that after talking with myself or another volunteer, it is up to the mother to take upon herself. Sometimes treatment is clinical, sometimes it is not. This is for the mother to decided.

Once I have been listening to a mother for awhile, we usually go into what time of professional help she thinks she needs. Here I offer her a few names and numbers to contact.

Referrals are not always for mental health counselors or psychiatrists, sometimes they are for lactation consultants, primary care providers, pediatricians, child development or parenting classes, postpartum doulas, and even great play groups or toddler friendly parks near her.

We always invite moms to our support groups. Our goal is to provide resources that fits the needs of the family.

In order to make sure we can enact Steps 1-6, we might have to call in the troops. Sometimes this is mustering the courage to ask our own mothers or mother-in-laws to help with housework. Other times it is hiring professionals to do the tasks we simply can't get to

Sometimes our partners or friends don't fully understand our feelings, but they do usually want to help in any way they can. Accepting help is a skill many new parents aren't familiar with, but having a new baby necessitates the development of said skill.

So next time someone asks, "What can I do/bring/make?" Give them an answer!

Step 9 is my addition.

The first 8 steps are crucial and for many mothers alleviate most of their symptoms of postpartum distress. However, we encourage all moms to follow through with a professional evaluation. This can be through a therapist or medical provider.

Sometimes the resource first referred isn't a good fit for ongoing treatment, in this case, we will gladly help look for additional options.

Treatment looks different for everyone.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Steps of Wellness series, please share!
To be contacted by a volunteer, please complete this form.

Additional tools for families, including a Postpartum Plan, can be found here.
More information about our SAMMI Support Groups can be found here.

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Steps to Wellness: Part 1.

3/20/2018

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When moms contact me, questioning their emotional roller coasters during pregnancy or during their postpartum year, I always start back at the basics. The Steps to Wellness were developed by Jane Honikman, founder of PEP and later Postpartum International. More than thirty years later, they are just as relevant to all people, especially new parents.

Today I am going to review the first 3 steps. They are so blatantly simple, but so often overlooked by new parents as the demands of a new little one take their toll.

The first thing I want all new parents to know, is that you are not alone in feeling this way. Whether you are feeling sad, hopeless, worried, or angry, you are not the first parent and you won't be the last. It is important to know you are not alone and that it is not forever.

Around 80 percent of new mothers experience the "Baby Blues" during the first two weeks of their new little ones' life. Between 20 and 50 percent will experience a more serious condition, such as depression or anxiety.

These conditions are common, but not normal and can be treated.

Once you understand a little more about postpartum mental health conditions, it is important to know that simply being able to make time for our own health can make a world of difference. This is obviously easier said than done!
The first thing I advise new parents to do to help manage their symptoms is get some sleep.
Ideally a parent can get 6 uninterrupted hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
If someone is experiencing many symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is really important part of their wellness plan to work these hours in. This can take some creative thinking and support from others to make happen.

Again, a simple step that is easily lost in the chaos of new parenthood. Eating and eating to nourish your body.
If you are feeling miserable, irritable, or cranky, think back to what you have (or in many cases haven't) eaten.
Take the time to eat well. It can be very difficult to see where meal prep will fit into your life, but once you are eating well, your body will have the fuel it needs to continue to parent.
Aim for 6 small meals, covering all the food groups throughout the day. Easy to eat snacks are a hit because often you are eating over a baby's head.
Work with your support team to make sure you are not skipping out on eating.

If you are a new parent, and you haven't been taking the time to rest or eat, please do! It will serve you and your family well to be fed and rested.

Next week I will review steps 4-6.

-Elizabeth

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Steps to Wellness, Part 3.

Steps to Wellness: Part 1.

Each walk is different, but we walk together, and that makes all the
difference.

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Steps to Wellness, Part 3.

Steps to Wellness: Part 1.

Each walk is different, but we walk together, and that makes all thedifference.

Archives

Categories

You can reach us at:

Contact Us

Subscribe

Each walk is different, but we walk together, and that makes all the
difference.