No matter how difficult the postpartum period can be, we still think support after birth is a luxury. We are still reluctant to accept help in our homes. It’s uncomfortable to ask, and awkward to receive. What we don’t realize is that not having in-home help after childbirth is actually a NEW thing, an anomaly in the world. In other cultures, there are beautiful traditions – nourishing, postpartum-specific food in China; healing massage in India; frequent visits from your midwife in Latin America; and freedom from household obligations everywhere but here. While we see postpartum support and recovery as a luxury, it is actually a need.
If you are ever struggling to accept support, or you feel guilty over the effort of others on your behalf, focus on these truths:
I just gave birth, and I deserve to be supported.
Accepting help isn’t just good for me, it’s good for my baby and my community.
People love me, and they sincerely want to help.
I will accept help now so I can give help later.
Support from others nourishes my body, mind, and heart.
People are sincere when they offer help.
I am not meant to do this alone.
Mothers are valued; I’m worth supporting.
It brings people joy to support those they love, and that includes supporting me.
Everyone is happy to be here in my home.
Communities thrive when they surround a mother and her newborn with love and care.
My baby is magnetic; I am magnetic.
This support I’m receiving will make me strong and healthy.
The support I receive will make me strong enough to serve my family when I’m ready.
How does Marabou support women?
We live in culture where “bouncing back” is more valued than proper rest. As admirable as it may be for a sports star to get back on the field, the same rules don’t apply to postpartum recovery. The traditional resting period has been stolen from women through pressure to get back to their job or simply through lack of presence.
Grandmas, sisters and best friends who otherwise would have been there to help a woman transition into motherhood often live too far away to be of any help. Household chores and caring for older children inevitably fall on the mom. But she just delivered a new life! She needs rest.
Marabou Services is a unique gift registry which provides services instead of stuff. Most mom’s get too many onesies, too many baby blankets and not enough helping hands. Break out of a destructive cultural norm and start a Marabou registry today.
With a Marabou registry you can sing up for any service which will benefit you or someone you know during the postpartum recovery period.
Postpartum doulas for a first time mom
House cleanings for moms of multiples
Childcare for moms with older children!
Once your registry is created, add it to any other registry or post it to your Facebook and ask friends and family contribute to your postpartum service, rather than buying you more stuff.
More and more moms find they have to figure out postpartum alone. Is it any wonder why PMDs are on the rise? Or women are embittered by the journey of motherhood? We can change that by giving the gift of peace.
