The Fourth Trimester Matters- Why Post Birth Planning is Needed For Surrogate Mothers

    TORONTO, ON, July 04, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In any pregnancy, when the countdown of a few weeks starts, often the focus in on "get this baby out of me", and the yearning to get "back to life as usual", although for many of us that may not be so easy.

The Fourth Trimester, or Postpartum healing time for Surrogates is such an important time, and I think one that we need to start planning for.

Self care is not selfish, it is actually selfless! Caring for your own children's Mother, after you've spent the last 9 months helping someone become a Mom or Dad NEEDS to happen!

Birth planning is often a fun time when an hour is spent chatting excitedly about the Birth, but what about "after"? What's the plan for those moments, hours, days, weeks after, when all has died down, and you are home alone. kids are at school, or daycare, and although you look back at your journey fondly, something just isnt right?

It is in these moments that our mind can take over, often with racing thoughts, thoughts of "why".

Why did I become a Surrogate, Why I am not just getting on with it, Why do I miss my IPs, Why can't I get out of bed. Why can't I sleep (its not like I have a baby to care for), Why didnt I pump, Why Did I pump(when I'm to busy to).

As you can see there are many thoughts that can creep in Post Surrogacy Birth, and often having a plan can help with that.

For me, a Plan Looks like this- Some simple, and some a little more involved.
At week ...... I will fill my freezer with pre made meals for my family post birth (MandM's or otherwise).

At the hospital I will ask the Social worker to connect with me before i leave, just to check in- Maybe give me some referrals to PPD groups (just in case). I feel good today, but that may not be ongoing, and that way I have it.

I will book my 6 week check up before I leave the hospital (or have someone else book it).

I will practice self care by booking a massage/chiro/? appt right away for next week.

My...........is bringing me home from the hospital. I will have him pick up any post birth Items before he takes me home, so we don't have to stop.

When I get home I will arrange for the kids to be home/not home for the next..............days/weeks.

I WILL ASK FOR HELP

When I feel anxious I will acknowledge it is a normal response to what I've just gone through. I will reach out for help. The people I can talk to are:
.............. and ........... and .................

I'd like to go straight to medication, OR I'd like counseling and medication, or I'd like counseling first (this depends on you) Thinking about the what if's and having a plan can be so helpful, as it's often difficult to think clearly during a crisis.

We are looking forward to working with our Surrogates to build out this Post Birth planning program, and look forward to it growing into a Peer support program that Surrogates across Canada can access.

For further information, please reach out to [email protected]

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