Postpartum Plan

        A postpartum plan is much like a birth plan.  It assists you in determining and planning for a smooth transition adjusting to you new family dynamics in the first few weeks.  Keep in mind, flexibility is key when considering all the potential conditions and “personalities” that are unknown.

       The most important element is the “babymoon” phase.  This is a special time that you will experience only once with this baby.  It is during this time that good nursing habits are established, and emotional bonding takes place on a greater level.  Make it count for you and your family – all else that was there, needs to be reconsidered at a later time.  Honor this time as your special God-given opportunity to welcome your baby.

Sleep and Rest

Normal pre-pregnancy sleep requirements (# of hours per night) __________________

Who will get up with the baby at night? _____________________________________

Physical Recovery

What is important to you when determining how you expect to physically recover from the birth? (self-care, exercise, weight, etc.)_____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Exercise plan after six weeks will be ____________________________________________________________

Breastfeeding / Infant Feeding

Anticipated method of feeding _____________________________________________________________

My expectations for feeding the baby are (check one)  ____________on cue   ________scheduled

I feel this way because: ____________________________________________________________________

We will have a feeding / elimination chart    Y  /  N  

Nourishment for immediately after baby is born:

We plan to  (check all that apply)

_________  Have meals planned ahead of time and stored in the freezer

_________ Prepare meals day-to-day ourselves

_________ Prepare meals day-to-day with help

_________ Order-in ______times a week

Nourishment for 6 weeks after baby is born:

We plan to  (check all that apply)

________  Bring in outside help to cook

________  Prepare meals ourselves

Caring for baby

We plan to:

_____   Have help for a professional doula, so that we can spend our time with the new baby and silblings (if any)

_____   Have help from family, so that we can spend our time with the new baby and siblings (if any).

______   Hire a nanny to look after the baby and siblings

______   Care for the baby and siblings ourselves and manage the house – we do not expect any outside help.

Sleeping Arrangements

______   We plan to co-sleep

______   We plan to have the baby in the same room in a cradle / bassinet beside us

______    We plan to have the baby sleep in his/her room

Redefining Roles

Who will do the caring for the baby during the day?_______________________________________________

Who will do the caring for siblings _____________________________________________________________

Who will do the cleaning _____________________________________________________________________

Who will do the cooking _____________________________________________________________________

Who will do the laundry _____________________________________________________________________

Who will be at home ________________________________________________________________________

Who will do the shopping ____________________________________________________________________

Who will run errands ________________________________________________________________________

Who will transport the siblings to various places ___________________________________________________

As the mother I will expect my partner’s role to be _________________________________________________

As the partner, I will expect the mother’s role to be __________________________________________________

Relationships

It is important to our relationship that we: _________________________________________________________

Siblings

It is important to maintain ______________________________________________________________________

Pets

It is important to maintain ______________________________________________________________________

Family & Friends

Who is going to be involved in your support over the postpartum period.

Visitors

We expect to have ___visitors the first week.

We expect to have _____visitors in the second week.