If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you’ve been hearing a lot about pelvic floor PT. Not only is that my personal/professional bias (since I am one!) but pelvic floor PT is also growing in its level of popularity in order to better serve and care for postpartum women (check out this TED talk). But, let’s go a little deeper into thinking about who else can join your tribe in your postpartum months. What other people or providers can help you along the way? In addition to your pelvic floor PT, here are a few ideas:
- Massage therapist
- Acupuncturist
- Night nurse
- Nanny
- House cleaner
- Chiropractor
- Primary care provider (naturopath, nurse practitioner, MD, etc)
- Family, friends, spouse
- Nutrition specialist
- Health coach
- Work assistant/associates
- Postpartum support groups (found on social media or community-based)
- Counselor, psychotherapist (personal or couples)
- Postpartum personal trainer, yoga, or Pilates practitioner
Ultimately, the list goes on. Your journey is so unique to you. The minute you try to do it all alone, is the minute you sign up to place the weight of the world onto your shoulders…and then it gets heavier, and heavier, and heavier… The best way to move through the postpartum months is a shared responsibility model. Do you need to hire a dog walker to help Fido get his/her walks in? Do you need to hire a night nurse to care for your baby so you can get some zzz’s? How about simply setting up a monthly meet up (virtual or other) with another mom friend of yours, sans kid(s), so you can have some one-on-one gal pal time? Keeping a list of people within your web of support who you can call upon can be helpful. Don’t be bashful to think outside the box! When you can, if you’re given an inch, take a mile. 🙂
So who’s in your tribe?