Why Postpartum Support Matters-Especially When Giving Birth Abroad

The postpartum period is full of life changes. Not only has your entire way of life altered until it is almost unrecognizable, your body is going through an incredible healing process. Your hormones have plummeted, you’re sleep deprived, and everything is new. On top of this, if you are living in a country that is unfamiliar from where you grew up, especially if you don’t speak the native language, this can be completely overwhelming. 

Sheila Kitzinger, a childbirth author, calls these first few weeks with a new baby the “babymoon”. The postpartum period should be a time of rest and relaxation where you and your baby get to know each other. With proper preparation this time of upheaval can turn into the relaxing healing babymoon that can help you feel centered and connected to your new child. 

The most important thing to remember in the postpartum period is rest, rest, rest. Fatigue makes everything harder. Many doulas recommend writing that on a little card and putting it somewhere you can see it often. Fatigue tricks our brains into thinking all sorts of things that aren’t true. Try to prepare as much as you can before you give birth. Make nutritious, freezable meals and buy food to have on hand so you don’t have to go shopping. Set up a breastfeeding or baby feeding area that has everything you’ll need when the time comes. 

If you’re living in a new place, especially one where you don’t speak the language, the postpartum period can feel especially isolating. Make sure to make a plan, schedule times in advance to talk to your family and friends virtually. Look at the time zone differences, maybe your family and friends can even more easily talk to you in the middle of the night than if you were living in the same country. This might prove useful as your fatigued brain feels helpless and lonely at two in the morning with a crying baby. 

Finally, find some local support. Use an in person or virtual doula to help answer your questions and offer some support. They can be the voice of reason in a cloud of uncertainty. The doula’s job is to help guide you to the best decisions for you. They will reassure you that you are doing the best you can do, and support you when you have concerns about this new phase of life. 

You can also try to find local mom groups to get to know women in similar situations. There are many groups on facebook or in the community where you can meet with other new parents, which is a good excuse to get out of the house and get some exercise and social interaction. 

If you’re looking for some virtual doula help during your postpartum period, check out my services above!