Post Partum 

Last trimester. 

This is our first child, meaning that I am not familiar with postpartum care, BUT I have gotten advice, and done SO much research everywhere. I read many blogs, watched many advice-driven videos that allowed me to summarize which products I am choosing to take. For all you first time moms, or second / third /etc., moms -- this is what I'm going to be doing the day of delivery, and the 40 days following that. 

Let's pack our bag! 

Save yourself money, and the trouble to buy a fancy bag, if you want. Use any overnight bag, backpack, cute reusable bag, where you can pack your hospital belongings. I've decided to use a diaper bag I got for my baby shower, and a diaper bag I had to get. OR if you like thrifting, you can find these backpacks used on Poshmark, Mercari, eBay, or even FB Marketplace. 

La Cuarentena / The Quarantine 

For many hispanic pregnant people, this term, La Cuarentena, may sound familiar. Not because of the song, Se Acabo La Cuarentena, but mainly you've heard from your elders. You may feel like you can't rely on someones' unpopular postpartum opinion, because they are not clinically inclined to provide you with the scientific explanation for it. Here's some reasons why I will be following the Cuarentena method to an extent. 

1. Stay indoors for 40 days after birth - COVER EVERYTHING 

   • Why is this common? This is practiced in many cultures around the world, and something I grew up hearing from my mother, and aunts. During this time, it is crucial for your body to heal, to nurse, to adapt, and to nourish it properly. Every window and door should not be open at any means. At your doctor appointments, be sure to cover your ears, your nose with a mask -- basically, anything in your face with an opening.  Because, your body is very sensitive, you don't want to overexpose it any possible inflammatory illnesses, and develop any type of migraine.  

   • Am I doing it? Honestly, I will be extremely careful about over exposing my body to any outdoor germs / inflammatory illnesses. Currently, I work from home, and I get extreme cabin fever if I stay indoors for one whole day. I must go out for a walk, grocery shop, or check the mail. Things may change at the time of birth, whether I have a motherly instinct of wanting to stay indoors at all time, or if my body has not healed properly during those 40 days. My plan is to stay indoors for a couple of weeks, until I can go on walks with my newborn. 

2. Always cover your feet with socks 

   • YES - this is something I will certainly do. I am notorious to walk around barefoot around the house, and wonder my feet are hard, or why I feel sick. Since I've gotten pregnant, I have tried to keep my socks on at all times, not walk around barefoot, and sleep with socks. It's not as easy as it sounds. 

   • This falls under the category of making sure that your body is nice and warm, because during birth, you lose an abundance of blood, lose your placenta, and your body is healing from either a major surgery, vaginal tear, vaginal birth, as well as losing lochia - a mix of bodily fluids that your uterus sheds after birth. Keeping warmth in your extremities, and body is crucial to the healing process.  

3. Wear long sleeve / long pants when you leave the house 

   • I live in Texas -- this will be difficult, especially since Summer right around the corner. I am going to do my best to do this, if I am able to leave the house. Although, I will more than likely wear a cardigan / loungewear during the 40 days at home to prevent me from being cold, and something that is loose-fitting to make breastfeeding accessible. Here's some loungewear I have linked on my Amazon Storefront and my LTK app 

   • Again, this falls under the category of protecting your body with the application of heat after birth due to the physiological and physical changes your body was under. 

4. Wear a postpartum faja 

   • Yes - I will be wearing one after delivery. I will be using bandages first - some that are not too tight, and that won't allow for more pelvic pressure. My body will more likely be weak, and applying more pressure in the pelvic / abdominal region may do more harm. Currently, I have an umbilical hernia which is associated with diastasis recti, a condition where your abdominal muscles separate from being stretched out during pregnancy. I will be using bandage wrapping, a postpartum recovery belt, and some kinesiology tape for the healing of my tears. 

   • You can find my post partum care essentials on my Storefront here. 

5. Stick to a specific diet 

   • I am not a Nutrition expert, but I have done research regarding this topic, and what foods are essential for PP care. 

   • I'll create another page regarding recipes, and nutrition health topics that enhance breastfeeding and postpartum care. 

   • Basically, an assortment of hot teas, bone broth, soups, collagen-rich foods, whole foods, and making sure to stay hydrated at all times is what is recommended. Everything has to freshly made, warm, and well-done. 

Here's my workout plans / goals after birth ... the purpose of my workout plan is to return to homeostasis, and to heal my body properly. My body suffered tremendously during pregnancy, so learning how to naturally heal my body is my priority.