Why Moms Suffer Postpartum

The reason that many moms suffer postpartum is threefold. I’ll be addressing an important topic that many people give very little thought to, the time period after giving birth. If while reading you feel like I’m talking to you in particular, it’s because I am! I have a heart for new parents and you are no different! The Jacksonville Baby Company knows and understands the postpartum culture in the United States well. Before you close this tab be sure to share this with your friends and in all your mom groups. Moms don’t need to suffer postpartum!

The first reason moms suffer postpartum: women aren’t a priority, we’re a minority.

Ouch, that stings a bit to say and to hear, I know, but it’s absolutely the truth. Among other things women are often paid less and our bodily autonomy is often encroached upon or threatened. Women are nurturers, often the peace-keepers of the family. It’s not uncommon for us to think of others before ourselves.

The focus always seems to be on our babies rather than on us, the mothers, the givers of life!

The “baby” shower, the birth of the “baby”, even bringing “baby” home. Everyone is there to celebrate and care for the baby, who will be there to care for and celebrate you, the mother? Who will make sure you are healthy and happy? You’ll endure approximately 40 weeks of rapid change, constipation, birth, bleeding, engorged breasts, stitches, staples, hair loss, night sweats, guilt, emotional exhaustion, and survive sleepless nights for days on end.

Study after study has proven that having skilled support and planning can help reduce perinatal mood disorders. So why aren’t more people investing in it?

Secondly, and to be frank, moms suffer postpartum because they’re choosing to make care after birth take a back seat while they prioritize other things.

Another reason moms suffer postpartum is that they prioritize other things more. Yes, more than getting off to a supported start after birth! They value things like, vacations! Moms suffer postpartum because parents value pricey baby gear that is mostly going to collect dust or get minimal use at best, maternity, newborn, and family photos, professional organizers, interior decorators, catering, game systems, hunting, boating, and tickets to exclusive events.

I understand that each family’s priorities will be unique to them, but can’t help but be saddened by the fact that we see so many moms value having a dream wedding over support postpartum. It isn’t until they suffer postpartum that they realize the true value and necessity of professional postpartum support.

I don’t want you to look back and say, “Hindsight is 20/20!”

Wouldn’t it be nice if others made you numero uno, nurtured you the way you need it, and thought about you in your biggest time of need; after you give birth?

The last reason why moms suffer postpartum; we simply aren’t proactive in our postpartum care.

Until you demand postpartum support and become proactive instead of reactive about your own wellness no one else will. Until you believe that having professional, skilled, hands-on support for yourself and your baby is a crucial part of your motherhood journey, no one else will either.

Professional postpartum care must become common place for all to feel a positive and lasting impact in our society.

What about those who truly can’t afford this type of service? I believe that once those who can afford it and those who choose to budget for it lead the way access to this service will become common place. So, for example. Formula. Formula use to be a status symbol for wealthy folks. So that began the formula trend. Poor communities gained more access or sought out the means to get the formula because it’s what the wealthy did. It was a status symbol! Now it’s those who are most educated and have the ability and access to it that breastfeed for longer and are typically more successful.

Every mama wants to get off to a great start!

It’s simply not enough to want it! You have to act on it! You need to lead the way to make the biggest impact! Do it for your babies and their babies. Do it for the women in your community. Do it for yourself, you are worthy!

Do you want to get off to a great start? Do you want someone you can turn to for help with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and even pumping? Are you thinking about the long nights ahead? Are you hoping someone will help you recognize early signs of trouble? Do you want someone to help get your baby use to the safest and healthiest sleep habits so you can sleep? Are you curious about caring for your body while you heal after birth? Are you looking for more than just a warm body who can do what you ask? Are you seeking someone who knows what to do, knows what “normal” is, and knows when you need to call the pediatrician? Does it matter if this person is skilled and experienced?

If you answered yes on repeat then take action! Walk the walk!

As one of our (super fun) clients said, “When I heard about the support your company provides I couldn’t be the askhole . . . You know, the person who asked for advice and help and then didn’t take it.”

Now that you know why moms suffer postpartum, will you prioritize this special time in your life? Will you be one to normalize needing support? For those of us who can hire and offer professional postpartum support, we should! We should be the ones to lead the way so that we can bring about change for ourselves, those who are disadvantaged, and for future generations. We owe this to our daughters!

So, what do you do?

#1: Prioritize & Budget for Professional Care By 30 Weeks

We typically book 6 weeks out with minimal last-minute availability. Booking early is recommended.

#2: Seek Out Professional Postpartum & Infant Care Support not a Nanny

Hire someone who can fill the position, not someone you have to train up! For the postpartum time period, a nanny won’t have the experience, training, or knowledge that a PP & IC Specialist does, period.

#3: Talk About It and Tell Others

Literally, nothing changes if you keep others in the dark about your postpartum time period. Don’t be embarrassed or scared to admit you needed help or received help. We ALL need help during this transitional period.

In closing, get in contact with us!

We have you covered, but only if you prioritize yourself. From a thoroughly written, fully customizable postpartum plan to helping you keep your home running smoothly, we’re on it! We are down in the trenches with you helping you figure out how to best utilize the resources you already have available to you. We will help you meet the physical and emotional demands new motherhood entails and make you look and feel better doing it.

The Jacksonville Baby Company takes the guesswork out of postpartum. The only thing left for you to do is prioritize it!

Cheers to a Support Postpartum Transition (if you prioritize it)!

Elizabeth Luke

1. Aber C, Weiss M, Fawcett J. Contemporary women’s adaptation to motherhood: the first 3 to 6 weeks postpartum. Nurs Sci Q 2013;26:344–51.
2. Kassebaum NJ, Bertozzi-Villa A, Coggeshall MS, Shackelford KA, Steiner C, Heuton KR, et al. Global, regional, and national levels and causes of maternal mortality during 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013 [published erratum appears in Lancet 2014;384:956]. Lancet 2014;384: 980–1004.