Sleep is critical to a new mom’s mental health, but still treated like a joke.
Finally, new approaches are challenging the age-old notion.
I was also getting the hang of pumpingall of which translated to less and less rest.
What has struck me most, is how normalized sleep deprivation is.
After all, you cant do much about it.
Sleep is also critical to a new mothers mental health.
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“Recurrence rates are anywhere from 25-40 percent, so this is a major public health concern.”
So why arent we doing anything to help protect new moms sleep?
The link between sleep deprivation and PMADs
Sleep deprivation can be dangerous at any point in life.
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“This can also cause higher levels of inflammation in the body,” Okun says.
Immediately after giving birth, hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, drop dramatically.
Once those symptoms are there, they tend to stick around if unaddressed."
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That duration only tipped to 6.84 between their child’s 12-24 month mark.
“That one-month or six-week evaluation period is really insufficient,” Okun says.
Its a sentiment other doctors agree with as well.
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“There’s a huge drop-off in terms of contact with the new mother once baby arrives.
Monk says the fourth trimesterthat 12-week time period after the birth of the babyis critical for ongoing care.
“It’s part of why reproductive justice work has been gaining momentum.
It’s truly a crisis.”
Its also why birth workers, like Bliss, says that planning is essential and yet so often overlooked.
“However, this indicates a larger systemic issue for which people blame themselves.
You are not the problem.
Ultimately, society has failed families and birthing parents.”
Some health insurance companies and legislation finally recognize doula care as an eligible expense for expecting parents.
Financial challenges are a real barrier to postpartum care (like doulas).
Nap
We know that sleeping when the baby sleeps isn’t great universal advice.
However, that doesn’t write off the power of a good nap.
“Naps are a great way to offset sleep loss or sleep deprivation and sleepiness,” Okun says.
If it’s possible for you to squeeze in a snooze when your baby is restinggreat.
Having your support people take otherthings off your plate can also contribute to rest.
“I always say in my childbirth education classes ‘Don’t DIY’,” Varner says.
“A lot of the preparation for babies happens in the prenatal period.
Of course, round-the-clock help doesn’t come cheap.
Varner acknowledges that postpartum doula care may be expensive for most people.
“Our work is all centered around people going through that specific time,” Varner says.
“There are some doulas who are learning and would love to support a family in need.
You also want to pay attention to physical symptoms in the fourth trimester.
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