Boundaries in Birth Work: Recovery Plan

Long births are the name of the game in doula work. We intentionally try to minimize the risk by high quality education, offering support from a distance until active labor commences, and putting clauses in our contracts. But somehow, we still hit those births that last 24+ hours.

Boundaries in Birth Work: Creating a Recovery Plan

That's incredibly high demand for continuous support! That's incredibly more than what the human body was wired for or capable of.

Honestly, when we pull an all-nighter (especially after an already long day), our ability to focus and concentrate is significantly minimized. Our bodies go into a stress state as we have relied of adrenaline (and or caffeine) to keep us awake, inflammation is overshooting, and even our metabolism doesn't know what to do because we have completely confused its circadian rhythms.

Anyone ever experience birth hangover?

Here are some ideas on how to recover:

* Think Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - physical first, then safety, then relationships, then mental processing, and finally creativity and individuality.

* When you get home, have a plan to nourish your body (food and water - think protein, complex carbs, and something that makes you smile). Shower if it's helpful.

* Prepare in advance for your need for extra sleep (kids to grandmas, someone to take care of your dog for the day, etc.) Make sure your space is conducive to sleep (room darkening curtains, good temperature, quiet/white noise, etc.)

* If you're feeling wired, you have to ground first. Meditate. Breathe deeply. Use essential Oils (Lavender and Vetiver are my favorites for sleep)

* Sleep a minimum of three hours, and longer if you can

* Once you wake, expose your body to sunshine. Eat again. Reorient your body to time and space

* Be sure that you are not on call the day after a long birth - I highly recommend a partnership model, backup doula, or spacing your due dates further apart to decrease the risk of being called. Turn your phone off if you can. Your body needs to find safety at home or in your personal space knowing that you are not going to demand more of it (if not, you're risking mental stress that can lead to mental health struggles)

* Find your people, connect, re-engage, meet your needs for connection whether that's debriefs with birth friends or hugs with your kids.

* Once you're rested and connected, find a way to process what you've experienced - go for a walk or run, journal, pray, talk to a friend or loved one

Finally, you can begin to make plans for supporting more mamas in the days to come, your creativity is renewed and your body feels ready to give again.

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