How long is the “fertility journey”? When does this wondrous period in your life begin? When does it end?
Answers vary between “when I decide to have a baby” to “once baby is born”. However, I’d like to extend this to “once you decide that you would like to have children in the next few years” and “once your last child is out of nappies.”
For regular readers of my blogs you will already know about the utmost importance of preparing your body before conception – this is equally relevant to men and women.
However, today I’d like to focus on what happens after your baby is born.
This is the term which has been given to the three months after your baby is born.
It is a time of great change:
Adapting to having a baby – you may think this is obvious yet every new parent I have met over the past 20+ years in clinical practice agrees “we knew it would be different, but we had NO idea just how different.” A new-born is totally reliant on its parents and if mum is breastfeeding, then even more rests on her. I always say to the partners, who frequently feel left out, that their role becomes one of support – looking after mum’s needs so she can nourish her baby as well as herself.
The lack of sleep is also often underestimated so learning to rest when you can becomes essential. Not everyone has a large support group, and often the parents (or single parent) find themselves as the sole carer for their new bub. If you need help, ask!
Changing hormones can play havoc with a new mum’s moods and energy levels. Why is it that some women breeze through the fourth trimester while others turn in to psychos?
You’ll find many tips and explanations in my book in how to address the above. In particular the post-partum moods and emotional rollercoaster which can actually be prevented (or at the very least minimised) by proper preparation and pregnancy nutrition.
Be empowered and feel more in control throughout your fertility journey. How to Have a Healthy Baby provides the fundamentals and should you require more personalised support, you can contact me directly.
