Postpartum Planning
As your doula I can help you make a comprehensive plan for your postpartum period. We will prepare you for the challenges of parenthood in a prenatal appointment where you’ll go over all the changes a new baby can bring.
Why You Need a Postpartum Plan:
Setting Yourself Up for a Supported Fourth Trimester
The postpartum period—often called the “fourth trimester”—is a time of immense transformation. Your body is healing, your hormones are shifting, and you’re adjusting to life with a newborn. It’s a beautiful, intense, and sometimes overwhelming time. And yet, so many families focus all their energy on preparing for birth, without giving much thought to what comes next.
Having a postpartum plan in place ensures that you and your support system are prepared for the realities of recovery, rest, and newborn care. Just like you wouldn’t go into labor without a birth plan, you shouldn’t enter the postpartum period without a roadmap for how you’ll be supported.
Why a Postpartum Plan Matters
- You Deserve to Rest & Recover
Birth is a major physical event—whether vaginal or cesarean—and your body needs time to heal. A postpartum plan outlines who will take care of household tasks, meal preparation, and errands so you can focus on bonding with your baby and regaining strength. - Your Mental Health Needs Nurturing
The emotional ups and downs of the postpartum period are real. Sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and the demands of a newborn can be overwhelming. Having a plan for emotional support—whether that’s regular check-ins from a friend, access to a therapist, or a trusted postpartum doula—can make all the difference.
- It Prevents Burnout in Your Support System
Many partners, family members, and friends want to help but don’t always know how. A postpartum plan clearly outlines tasks like meal prep, grocery runs, baby care shifts, and household chores so the burden doesn’t fall on one person. - It Helps You Advocate for Your Needs
When you’re in the thick of postpartum life, it can be hard to ask for help. A well-thought-out plan communicates your needs ahead of time, so there’s no guilt, confusion, or resentment—just support that’s already in place.
What to Include in Your Postpartum Plan
Who will help with meals?
Meal trains, meal prep, grocery delivery
Who will handle household tasks?
Laundry, cleaning, pet care
How will you prioritize rest?
Baby care shifts, visitors schedule
What is your plan for emotional well-being?
Therapy, postpartum check-ins, time for self-care
What kind of newborn care support do you need?
Lactation consultant, postpartum doula, pediatrician visits
Your postpartum period is just as important as your birth experience. By planning ahead, you ensure that you are surrounded by a community that knows exactly how to support you—so you can focus on what matters most: healing, bonding, and embracing this new chapter with confidence.
Consider Postpartum Doula Care
One of the best ways to ensure a smooth postpartum experience is by hiring a postpartum doula. These trained professionals provide hands-on support with newborn care, breastfeeding, emotional well-being, and household tasks, allowing you to focus on healing and bonding with your baby. A postpartum doula can step in to fill the gaps, offering guidance, reassurance, and practical help so you and your family feel nurtured and supported during this critical transition. Feel free to reach out and I can connect you with a postpartum doula in your area.
Best wishes,
Your Doula, Sabine
Your Coach
Sabine Hankiewicz, Birth Doula CD (DONA)
Lamaze Childbirth Educator LCCE
Meet Sabine Hankiewicz, your trusted guide through the journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Sabine is not just any coach; she's a certified birth doula through DONA International and a certified Lamaze childbirth educator. With her extensive knowledge, unwavering support, and nurturing presence, Sabine empowers expectant parents with the information and techniques they need for a positive birth experience. Whether you're seeking a doula's comforting touch or comprehensive childbirth education, Sabine's expertise ensures you're in capable hands as you embark on this incredible adventure into parenthood.
Ask you Doula…
Your Doula can help you create a Postpartum Plan during one of your prenatal appointments. She will come with a pre-made template that you can use during your whole postpartum period.