So what does recovery actually look like after a vaginal birth? This isn’t exactly on the agenda at your baby shower.

Here are five things you should know so that you can prioritize your healing during this delicate and vulnerable time.

This isn’t the stuff that’s talked about at baby showers. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

So what should I know about cesarean birth recovery? What is it really like?

Here are some things you should know so that you can prioritize your healing during this delicate and vulnerable time.

You may hear people say, wait “Why would you hire a doula for a c-section? What would they even do?”

This is a common misconception. Truth is, doulas support ALL types of birth. Having a doula for a cesarean birth is just as beneficial as having one for a vaginal birth.

My mom, who had all four of her babies via cesarean section, has said “I wish I had a doula.” My twin sister and I were born via emergency cesarean after my mom developed preeclampsia. My two brothers were born via cesarean births two and four years later. Every birthing person deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported.

Imagine: The first few weeks of BREASTFEEDING are captured in a ROMANTIC COMEDY-esque film. What would you call it? ...How to Lose Your Confidence in 10 days? ...Sleepless in Seattle? ...Groundhog Day? ...Clueless?

Can you see it? Obstacles to overcome. Tears to shed. Choices to make. And of course, a last-minute epiphany and resolution.

If only the breastfeeding journey were as predictable. Even Nora Ephron couldn’t write her way out of this one. Truth is, you can’t completely plan for a fairy tale breastfeeding journey, but you CAN be prepared to face some of the obstacles that arise.

Answers to commonly-asked questions about bottle feeding such as: should I use breastmilk, formula, or both in a bottle? When should I introduce a bottle if I’m breastfeeding? Am I overfeeding by baby? What type of bottle nipples are best? What types of bottle should my baby use? What is paced bottle feeding? How much formula should my baby eat and how often? What type of formula should I use? How should I clean bottles?

Practical answers to questions like: How often will I breastfeed my baby? How do I know they’ve gotten enough to eat? Do I have a low milk supply? Is my milk supply dropping? How can I tell if my baby needs to eat or just needs comfort? How do I know if I’m overfeeding my baby? What if I have an overactive “let down”?

Going back to work after having a baby? The time towards the end of maternity leave is bittersweet. You may be sad about the ending of this unique time, or perhaps excited about returning to work, or maybe both! You lost plenty of sleep during maternity leave and there’s no reason to lose sleep worrying about pumping at work. Here are some things to know so you can ease the transition, ease your mind, and establish a smooth pumping routine at work..

People assume “postpartum” is referring to “postpartum depression.” In fact, the word “postpartum” literally means “after birth” in Latin. But I get it, it has negative connotations. The period after giving birth can be filled with crying, exhaustion and fear of your own bowel movement (and I’m not just talking about the newborns). If we are talking about mental health, it’s not thrilling to admit that 1 in 5 birthing persons will have some sort of mood and anxiety disorder before or after giving birth. About 10% of new dads experience depression or anxiety too. But, it IS INSPIRING to know that there are known ways to improve postpartum mental health. Yes, even before you have a baby.

I admit it. I was duped by the false advertising of the phrase “sleeps like a baby.” Before I had kids, I assumed a baby’s sleep was like an adult’s best night of sleep: you went to bed when you were drowsy, slept through the night, and woke up rested.

I wish I had managed my own expectations about infant sleep, gotten some realistic advice about how to “set the stage” for my baby’s sleep, and gotten more hands-on support from a postpartum doula when I was exhausted.

Remember that time— before kids— when you learned the truth about clogged milk ducts, constipation in pregnancy and postpartum night sweats? Yeah, me neither. Those things, among other postpartum wonders, really rocked my world when I became a mom. What’s with the new parent initiation? In a way, it feels like a secret society. No one REALLY knows what goes on until you’re in.