Q&A: Postpartum Rest, Doula Work, and Time Between Births for VBAC
Have you been wondering how in the world you can prioritize rest and recovery during postpartum, especially when you have other children at home? I know, it can be overwhelming.
If the thinking about the fourth trimester has you feeling nervous, this episode is for you!
In this episode, we answer these three questions:
How do you prioritize postpartum rest when you have other children?
What is your favorite part about being a doula?
My provider supports VBAC with a minimum 16 months from birth to birth. Is this a normal time interval?
For these Q&A episodes, I will answer all of the burning questions from my audience.
If you would like to submit a question for the next Q&A episode you can do that here!
If you're wanting to learn about ways you can set yourself and your family up for success during pregnancy and postpartum, and how to afford the help you deserve, check out my free Registry Guide to learn more!
Question 1: How do you prioritize postpartum rest when you have other children?
Recruit help! Round up your family and friends. If you don’t live near family, consider hiring a nanny or postpartum doula that can help care for you and your other children.
Do activities in or on the bed or couch. These are spots where we automatically get into relaxation mode. Some activities to consider are reading books, coloring, building with blocks, sensory bins, and pretend play.
You may potentially need to implement more screen time or activities that you are not directly involved in. This can be controversial for some people but sometimes it’s okay. There were many days early in my second pregnancy where I was just trying to get through the day filled with exhaustion and vomiting so my son and I layed on the couch or in bed and he had extra screen time while I rested.
Question 2: What is your favorite part about being a doula?
My favorite part of being a doula is 100% witnessing a woman when she is at her most vulnerable yet strongest moments. Women are so powerful and beautiful. Our bodies do some of the most extraordinary things I have ever witnessed and done myself. It’s truly amazing. Being on the other side of it, you can see that point when a woman mentally feels like she can no longer do it but her body IS doing it.
Question 3: My provider supports VBAC with a minimum 16 months from birth to birth. Is this a normal time interval?
16 months from birth to birth would be waiting about 7 months prior to getting pregnant again. This recommended time interval will change depending on which provider you ask. Every provider will have their own preferences based on their comfort levels and policies put in place by the hospital or practice.
Regardless of if you’ve had a cesarean or not, ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recommends waiting at least 6 months to get pregnant again to allow your body time to heal and recuperate from 9 months of pregnancy and the birth process.
In relation to VBAC, it’s estimated that your uterine incision will be fully healed by about 6 months postpartum. I know of women that have had back-to-back pregnancies with only about 12 months from birth to birth that had beautiful VBACs
It all depends on your comfort level and understanding the risks and benefits of getting pregnant again quickly after birth.
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Want to have a VBAC?
Download my free First 3 Steps to VBAC Guide to get started on your VBAC prep journey!
