Setting Boundaries with Visitors
Setting boundaries with well-intentioned through the first few days or weeks can be a healthy way to ensure the family is able to recover and bond as needed. It can feel difficult to set new boundaries, especially with family members. It’s important to remember that boundaries are not placed to harm your relationship or to cause feelings of harm to your family and friends. The intention is to help ensure that your new family has time to bond and recover from the overwhelm that birth often brings.
Having a new baby is exciting for the whole family! Everyone wants to meet the new baby as soon as they possibly can. This excitement is absolutely understandable, but this time can also be quite stressful for the parents. Whether this is a first baby, or if baby was welcomed by several siblings, a new baby always bring a change from previous routines and a need for rest and recuperation.
Setting boundaries with well-intentioned through the first few days or weeks can be a healthy way to ensure the family is able to recover and bond as needed. It can feel difficult to set new boundaries, especially with family members. It’s important to remember that boundaries are not placed to harm your relationship or to cause feelings of harm to your family and friends. The intention is to help ensure that your new family has time to bond and recover from the overwhelm that birth often brings.
Parents may choose to share their chosen guidelines ahead of time, whether directly or through social media posts. I’ve attached a free, printable door sign and social media graphic of guidelines below; feel free to share!
What boundaries or guidelines did you set postpartum? Let us know in the comments; your ideas may help other new families choose their own!
Do WHAT With My Placenta??
So you're expecting a baby, and everyone is giving you advice.
"You need this stroller; it's a lifesaver!"
"Make sure baby eats every 2 hours!"
"Don't use that brand of diaper! You'll have poop explosions; they leak!"
"You have to encapsulate your placenta! I did, and it was wonderful!"
Wait, what was that about a placenta?
Placenta Encapsulation is a way of ingesting the placenta, and it's a decision that's gaining popularity. It may sound bizarre, but the placenta is filled with hormones that can benefit many new mothers.
So you're expecting a baby, and everyone is giving you advice.
"You need this stroller; it's a lifesaver!"
"Make sure baby eats every 2 hours!"
"Don't use that brand of diaper! You'll have poop explosions; they leak!"
"You have to encapsulate your placenta! I did, and it was wonderful!"
Wait, what was that about a placenta?
Placenta Encapsulation is a way of ingesting the placenta, and it's a decision that's gaining popularity. It may sound bizarre, but the placenta is filled with hormones that many people believe may benefit new mothers.
Generally, Placenta Encapsulation involves processing the placenta into a dry, fine powder. The powder is then put into empty capsules so that the client can take the capsules just like a vitamin. There are also other ingestion options which may include taking the placenta as a tincture or in raw smoothies.
Why would someone eat their placenta?
Many new moms report benefits from ingesting their placentas. Benefits can vary person to person, but some of the most common reported include an increase in energy levels, balanced mood, increased milk supply, and lower incidents of postpartum depression. It is important to note that there have been little to no scientific studies into these benefits; most of the information available is anecdotal. One of the main theories is that since the placenta is partially the mother's hormones, these can help balance her hormone levels after the sudden drop that occurs after the birth. Again, results may vary, and the FDA has not researched or approved placenta encapsulation as a way to treat or prevent anything.
Are there any negatives or side effects?
The majority of our clients never have any issues. In the general population of people who try placenta encapsulation, a small percentage do report that they have a decrease in milk supply. It is also possible that one may experience a burst of shaky energy (similar to caffeine jitters) if they are taking too much placenta at once. Again, this is not common and can normally be eliminated by taking fewer capsules at once.
Raw Prep, Heated Capsules, Traditional Chinese Method...What's the difference?
There are multiple ways to prepare the placenta prior to making it into capsules. Each has their own pros and cons, and preparation methods may vary encapsulator to encapsulator.
Raw preparation means dehydrating the placenta at temperatures between 115-118F. Heating at these lower temps is thought to preserve more of the nutrients since heat can denature some of the beneficial nutrients, but these temperatures are not high enough to kill off potentially harmful bacteria. Because of the bacteria risk, Little Orchids does not offer raw preparation.
The Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) involves steaming the placenta prior to dehydration. Adding more heat by steaming is thought to add hot "yang energy" to help balance the cold "Yin energy" thought to be prevalent postpartum. Depending on the practitioner, some will add herbs to the steaming placenta thought to help promote postpartum healing. The placenta is then dehydrated at temperatures that vary by practitioner. Steaming can help kill more of the surface bacteria on the placenta. Steaming the placenta may produce fewer capsules since the processing loses additional mass. At Little Orchids, we do not add anything to your placenta, and we dehydrate at 160F to maintain food safety guidelines.
Heated preparation means that the placenta is dehydrated at temperatures high enough to kill off any bacteria. This is normally done for a longer period of time than other preparations - usually 12-24hours. This can produce a safer product, but the additional heat can very slightly lower the nutritional benefits. This is the default preparation method at Little Orchids unless TCM is requested.
How do I plan to encapsulate my placenta?
The first step would be to locate a local placenta encapsulator. It is beneficial to do your research; placenta encapsulation is completely unregulated, so training and processing standards vary wildly. At Little Orchids, our encapsulator is a Certified Postpartum Placenta Encapsulation Specialist who maintains ServSafe Foodhandler certifications as well as Bloodbourne Pathogens certification. Safety is our number one consideration, and we want to ensure a safe product for our clients.
Once you've chosen your encapsulator and confirmed they're available for your due date, you can start their booking process. At Little Orchids we offer the options of meeting for a consultation or just directly booking online through our website.
After you've booked, your encapsulator will follow their specific procedures for pick up and processing of your placenta. At Little Orchids, we give clients a handout of instructions for safely storing the placenta until pickup as well as how and when to contact us for pickup. Placenta products are completed promptly and are returned directly to you.
Placenta Encapsulation can be beneficial for many mothers, and it can be a great thing to consider. If you do choose to ingest your placenta, it is important to find an encapsulator you're comfortable with who provides the processing options you want, so begin your search in advance whenever possible. Have any questions for our encapsulator? Contact us today!
What is a Postpartum Doula?
You've built a strong support team for your birth. Wonderful! But what happens when you return home with a brand new baby?
You've built a strong support team for your birth. Wonderful! But what happens when you return home with a brand new baby?
New families often need support in the days and weeks after they return home more than ever. Whether this is the first or the fifth baby, parents can often benefit from an extra set of hands. Did you know that there are doulas that specialize in postpartum care? Postpartum doulas are specifically trained to provide education as well as direct support through the postpartum period.
Why not just have family come help? They don't charge!
It's wonderful if you have family close by that can come visit. In many cases, family and friends can be very helpful! But sometimes, new babies can be very distracting for visitors. Who wants to chip in washing dishes when there's an adorable baby to snuggle?
Families often don't live as close to one another as they used to; for many people, having family come by isn't even an option.
Hiring a trained and certified postpartum doula ensures that you have a capable, professional support person available to help, whether that means running an errand, caring for baby so you can get a nap, or prepping dinners for the next week. Your doula doesn't come over to see baby; we come to help meet your needs for the day. You focus on bonding with your baby; we'll handle the rest!
Another benefit of having this professional support is that these doulas are trained to recognize the signs of postpartum depression. Doulas are not medical providers, but we can start that discussion and provide resources when needed. The postpartum time can be a hormonally-charged period of emotions; postpartum doulas are trained to help notice when things are no longer quite normal and can point out these changes so that additional help can be sought.
While many families feel the greatest need for support during those first few weeks, there is no time limit for finding a postpartum doula. Need a couple nights of sleep while your child hits a sleep regression? There's a doula for that! Need help prepping meals and setting a pump routine for when you return to work? There's a doula for that! Our doulas tailor their assistance to whatever you need; there is not just one plan to fit everyone.
So what all does a postpartum doula do?
Postpartum doulas can fill in many different capacities depending on what is needed. The support they provide can include:
Running errands
Meal planning and preparation
Teaching and demonstrating infant care tasks
Basic infant care
Basic housework tasks
Educational support
Caring for baby so parents can nap or shower
Overnight care
There is a postpartum doula for every situation. Whether you are a first time parent who just needs a confidence boost or you've adopted a toddler and need help adjusting, we can support you through your parenting journey.
The Little Orchids Difference
There are many postpartum doulas, so how do you choose? When you hire the doulas of Little Orchids, you have the benefit of working with the only local group of doulas. What if your regular doula gets sick? We can send a backup so that your schedule is uninterrupted. What if you need an emergency last-minute shift worked in? Between all of us, we can usually accommodate late scheduling. What if you feel you would better connect with a different doula? That's fine! We can change assignments until you find someone you are most comfortable with.
Interested in our postpartum doula services? Check out our website or contact us to schedule a consultation.
Postpartum Realities
Experiences and expectations of the postpartum period can be completely different from one person to another. Because of this, new mothers can become confused when their experiences do not align with what their friends or family members described. The postpartum period vary greatly from the beginning, especially depending on the type of birth there was.
Experiences and expectations of the postpartum period can be completely different from one person to another. Because of this, new mothers can become confused when their experiences do not align with what their friends or family members described. The postpartum period vary greatly from the beginning, especially depending on the type of birth there was.
The physical recovery needed can be a shock if you does not know what to expect. There are so many false ideas portrayed in movies, television shows, and social media today! Most of what is portrayed makes everything look easy. The new mother on Facebook looks gorgeous with her flawless hair and makeup, smiling with her new tiny babe. Or in a movie a woman walks proudly out of the hospital the next day, walking easily and with no sign of a residual baby bump. In reality, most mothers are exhausted after delivery. Just think, either they have just spent hours laboring and pushing out a small human, or they have just gone through major abdominal surgery. In either case, the body needs rest! Most new mothers probably won’t feel like sitting through a photo op right after the birth. So how do women feel when they wake up still looking six months pregnant the day after birth? For many women, the physical recovery is not all unicorns and flowers. What then should a new mother expect postpartum?
The body goes through many changes as it adapts to no longer being pregnant. One of the most obvious changes is in the new mother’s stomach. The uterus does not just disappear immediately after delivery; it took nine months to grow to the current size, and it takes more than a few hours to shrink back! The shrinking does proceed much more quickly than the growing, though, and it is often shrunk back down by six weeks after the birth. The stomach can feel loose or jello-y after delivery since the water and baby are no longer keeping the uterus inflated. It can be a good idea to wear some sort of support after the birth, such as a girdle or even trying Bengkung belly binding. If there was a Cesarean delivery, it is recommended to not use these supports as they can harm or cause infection in the healing incision. Another major change the body goes through after birth is weight change. Many women can lose around ten pounds immediately after birth. This is due to the loss of fluid and the baby born. For many women, they continue to lose some weight in the days and weeks after birth as they lose fluid they have been retaining.
The postpartum period is also full of emotional changes. Your body has been producing and circulating numerous hormones over the past several months in order to grow and support the pregnancy, then deliver the baby. Once the baby is born, the hormone levels suddenly drop as the hormones are no longer needed. Women can respond differently to this sudden drop. Some women notice little or no change. The majority of women may develop some level of the “baby blues.” This is a feeling of sadness or moodiness often seen in new mothers, and it is not as severe as true depression. Mood swings are common. Many women may find themselves feeling overwhelmed or hopeless after the birth of a baby. They may experience a loss of appetite, and they might get to the point where they just feel nothing. These are signs that the mother may be experiencing Postpartum Depression, or PPD. PPD is actually very common, and it is nothing to be ashamed of! This is completely treatable, and it is not at all a sign that the woman will have lasting Depression later. Hormones can have strange or bizarre impacts in the postpartum period. If you do not feel like yourself after birth and are unexplainably sad or have these strong feelings, please do not be afraid to discuss them with your doctor.
Bonding with the new baby after birth can come easy, or it may take some time. If you do not feel an instant connection with the baby, know that that is not uncommon. Different aspects and experiences during the labor and delivery can lead to a disconnected feeling in some cases. This disconnect is not permanent, and there are ways to support bonding with the baby. Birth partners may take longer to develop a bond with the new baby as they did not physically birth the child, but these bonds can and do form.
Skin to skin is a great way to encourage bonding with the baby. This method is also very easy to accomplish; it just means lying topless or mostly topless with the naked (but generally diapered) baby on your chest. Many hospitals now practice skin to skin regularly, and hospital staff are able to check the baby’s vital signs and gather APGAR scores while the baby remains on the mother’s chest. Research supports giving new families at least an hour of uninterrupted skin to skin bonding time. Spending time skin to skin is not only good to promote bonding, but it also helps establish breastfeeding and stabilize the newborn physically. Skin to skin has been shown to help regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, respirations, and even blood sugar. It also can comfort the baby as the position puts the baby close enough to hear the mother’s heart beat that he has become so accustomed to hearing. It allows the baby to smell the mother’s milk, and it is amazing to see a newborn scoot himself towards a breast and begin feeding all on his own. The birth partner can do skin to skin as well! Skin to skin has no detrimental effects, only benefits, and it is a great way to begin bonding with a new baby.
Feeding a newborn is another aspect that new parents must adapt for in the postpartum. Even if you’ve heard things like “feed the baby every two hours,” it is a completely different experience to realize just how frequently that is. Some mothers have decided in advance how they want to feed their child, and some decide to figure out what works after birth. The two general food sources for a newborn are breast milk and formula. Breast milk is full of antibodies and nutrients from the mom, and Colostrum (the first milk) is often considered the baby’s first “vaccine.” However, breastfeeding is not desired or possible for some families. Formula is formulated to provide the nutrients and calories that a baby needs as well. There are also specialty formulas that are great for babies with allergies or other specific feeding difficulties. No matter which option you choose, for the majority of women breast milk fully comes in by around three days postpartum. The first day that the milk comes in can be an experience. You may wake up and not recognize your own breasts! The breasts may feel huge, round, and hard. This sensation is partially because the breast tissue becomes inflamed; they are not just full of milk. Thankfully, this inflammation does not last forever, and for many women it is gone or at least greatly lessened by the next day. Feeding a baby can be a stressful experience for new parents. Is the baby gaining enough weight? Is he getting too chunky? Weight gain is stressed by many pediatricians as blood sugars may drop if the baby is not eating enough. First, take a breath; it is okay! Every family adopts their own feeding schedule and practices, and not every suggestion works for every baby and family. If there are specific concerns, your pediatrician can provide advice and recommendations.
For those who choose not to or are not able to breastfeed, breast milk still does come in. There are ways to stop the milk flow, but these take time. Options to help stop milk from continuing include binding the breasts and herbal teas or supplements. Binding and compressing the breasts can help stop triggering the breasts from making more milk, but this can take a few days or weeks. There are herbal teas, but like any other type of supplement, it can be best to consult your doctor before trying them.
The postpartum period and adjusting to life with a new baby can be hard. This adjustment can be made easier by having a good support system in place. This system can take many forms, from having family stay over, to having a friend stop by, to asking your church for help, or hiring professional support. For many mothers, the easiest option might be having their own mother or mother in law stay over and help. This gives the grandmother an often desired chance to bond with the baby, and she can help around the house. There is also the option to hire a Postpartum Doula. A Postpartum Doula is a non-medical support person specifically trained to support families in the postpartum period. They can teach basic infant care, help with infant care, help give the new mother a chance to rest and heal, and many do basic meal preparation and house work. A Postpartum Doula is a great option to have for postpartum support as they are trained in up-to-date practices and care.
Overall, the postpartum period is full of adjustments and changes. It can be difficult, but by preparing and knowing in advance what can be expected, it can be a rewarding time.
Placenta Encapsulation: What Makes Us Different
Little Orchids Childbirth Services, LLC is proud to offer placenta encapsulation to our wonderful clients. Consuming one's placenta is becoming a popular choice in this area, and there are numerous reported benefits. Choosing a qualified person to prepare your placenta for you to ingest is an important decision. It is important for the person you choose to follow proper safety protocols that keep the placenta safe to consume.
The fact is that placenta encapsulation is a completely unregulated industry. Anyone can decide to offer placenta encapsulation; there are no legal requirements to certify or even have any training to handle and process placentas.
So what makes us different?
Little Orchids Childbirth Services, LLC is proud to offer placenta encapsulation to our wonderful clients. Consuming one's placenta is becoming a popular choice in this area, and there are numerous reported benefits. Choosing a qualified person to prepare your placenta for you to ingest is an important decision. It is important for the person you choose to follow proper safety protocols that keep the placenta safe to consume.
The fact is that placenta encapsulation is a completely unregulated industry. Anyone can decide to offer placenta encapsulation; there are no legal requirements to certify or even have any training to handle and process placentas.
So what makes us different?
We offer to process placentas in our clients' homes. This could allow you to transport your own placenta placenta, so your placenta stays in your control and possession at all times.
Wait, What?? Yes, we understand that this is completely different than what many other encapsulators do. However, there are a few very important reasons why we do it this way.
1. Peace of Mind
Again, placenta encapsulation is not regulated. By having your placenta processed in the comfort of your own home, you have complete freedom to oversee how your placenta is being handled. There is no doubt remaining that your placenta is handled properly, safely, and according to strict sanitation procedures.
We do not transport placentas; the placenta stays in your custody and control at all times. We provide our clients with a safe transport kit so that they can confidently bring their own placenta home. With this policy, our clients know exactly where the placenta has been and how it has been handled. There is no risk or possibility that the placenta was forgotten in someone's purse or left in a hot car while the handler runs to the store for groceries because unfortunately, both of these examples can and have happened. Plus, if an encapsulator is working on multiple placentas, how can you trust that you received the right placenta pills? You deserve to have peace of mind during your postpartum period. There should not be any room left to question the handling of your placenta or if the presented placenta pills are actually yours.
2. Safe and Sanitary Processing Procedures
Processing the placenta in our clients' homes also demonstrates the strict sanitation procedures that we follow. Although legally no training is required, you can trust that by choosing Little Orchids for your encapsulation, you have a competent and trained encapsulator working with your placenta. Little Orchids encapsulators have been trained by IPPA, the International Placenta and Postpartum Association. This training has instilled proper, safe handling and processing methods to ensure that our clients receive the highest level of service.
In addition to the IPPA training, our encapsulators are certified for both blood-borne pathogens (BBP) and safe-food prep handling guidelines. Our equipment is properly sanitized according to blood-borne pathogen procedures after each and every client. Any items that cannot be properly or completely sanitized are safely disposed of and are not reused.
Also, processing in your home helps ensure the safety of the finished product. Since your placenta stays in your possession, there is no worry that our dogs or kids are playing with the dehydrator or placenta. That would be gross, and that is not something you need to have to worry about!
3. In-home Postpartum Support
Each of our placenta encapsulators are also trained and certified as postpartum doulas. This means that you have a postpartum expert in-home with you while your placenta is being processed. During this time, we are also available to answer questions, help with infant care, or even just keep you company while you relax and recover.