By Brittany Webster, owner of Consciously Curated Home
As an expectant mother, I found that the focus of maternity seemed to be on preparing for childbirth and creating a beautiful nursery room for my baby. I could find books, guides, blogs and advice on morning sickness, birthing techniques, baby equipment and decorating – but those post-birth weeks when a mother is at her most vulnerable, when days are filled with feeding, changing, naps (and if you’re lucky you sneak in a shower) are shrouded in mystery.
We don’t talk about the Fourth Trimester.
Only a few select girlfriends imparted some honest words of wisdom having recently struggled through this time themselves. In the Western world, by and large, we’re encouraged to get back to routine, work, our ‘pre-baby’ body. These impossible standards, glorified in the media, on social, even by friends and family, are ridiculous.
“You can’t even tell she had a baby!”
“So when are you heading back to work?”
In reality, we should be preparing and celebrating mothers postpartum with as much care and enthusiasm as we place on welcoming a baby into the world. One of my favourite books, which I discovered late in my pregnancy, is the first forty days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou. While my partner concerned himself with putting together furniture, I stocked the pantry and freezer, prepared body oils and sugar scrubs and re-read Ou’s advice, determined to give myself time to properly recover post-baby.
It is through this lens, based on my own experiences both as a mother and working with fellow moms that I created “A Field Guide to Postpartum”. With a focus on nourishing moms, recognizing and allowing for changes in our bodies, carving out moments of self-care, and introducing sustainable living practices, this in-person workshop will help set the stage for a smoother transition into postpartum – whether you are a first-time mom, a caregiver, or simply wanting to incorporate more sustainable practices and healthier habits into your everyday, the emphasis is on THRIVING rather than surviving.
Some topics we will explore to help ease the transition from pregnancy to postpartum include:
- Food as your postpartum medicine.
Thoughtful preparation of the pantry and fridge, focusing on warming and nourishing drinks and meals, and having a list of local options to call upon, including friends and family. - Slow movement, with intention.
Learn how to accommodate and support your changing body; introducing movement in a gentle way, including massages and scrubs, baths and swimming, yoga and meditation. - Time moves differently post-baby.
Letting go of old routines, giving yourself permission to slow down, and knowing that this too will give way to a different pace as your baby grows, are key to avoiding burnout. - Making space, instead of filling it.
Preparing for a baby extends beyond the nursery. De-cluttering before allowing more stuff into your home, and waiting on decisions will save money, time and energy in the long run.
Join me for an in-person workshop, A Field Guide to Postpartum, where we will explore the needs of mothers and how to best support, nourish and thrive during this time.
Find out more about the workshop and Brittany Webster at the sign up button below: