Self-Advocacy Through Postpartum Planning

Newborn hand holding an adult little finger

Radically slowing down and removing yourself from society's narrative of what you should be doing after your baby is born is a powerful act of self-advocacy. Planning your postpartum is a way of acknowledging the importance of the transition from pregnancy to parenthood and can give you an added sense of preparedness in addition to helping those around you know exactly how they can support you and your newly born family.

Similar to birth plans, a postpartum plan is a general outline which can be customised to your needs and family situation, as a living document to be amended and updated when needed. Bringing awareness to all the areas of your new life which catches so many of us off guard, can bring your family closer together and help create a sacred space for calm restitution.

Preventing depletion during the 4th trimester should be a top priority. You will be experiencing major shifts in self, body and mind, in addition to physically healing and being responsible for feeding and caring for your new baby. A postpartum plan should outline your self-care, physical, nutritional and emptional needs for support, and who can give you this support.

This kind of planning isn’t about control—it’s about care. It’s a gentle but firm assertion that your needs matter too, not just the baby's. By taking the time to consider things like meal support, rest opportunities, visitor boundaries, mental health check-ins, and household logistics, you’re creating a buffer between yourself and the overwhelm that so often defines early postpartum life.

Self-advocacy through postpartum planning means putting your wellbeing at the center of the story. It invites your partner, family, and friends to step into their supportive roles with intention, rather than assumption.

You don’t need to have all the answers—but you do deserve to be held, nourished, and protected while you heal and grow into this next chapter. Slowing down is not failure. Asking for help is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

Make the plan. Hold it loosely. Revisit it often. Let it serve as a love letter to your future self, written with compassion and strength.

Key Points for Self-Advocacy through Postpartum Planning:

• Start early: Begin thinking about your postpartum needs during pregnancy. It’s never too soon to set yourself up for support.

• Treat it like a birth plan: Create a flexible, living document that reflects your values, needs, and circumstances.

• Name your needs: Consider physical healing, mental health, emotional support, rest, nourishment, and time for bonding.

• Designate your support team: Identify who can help with specific tasks—meals, errands, baby care, emotional check-ins, etc.

• Set boundaries: Be clear about visitors, social expectations, and what kind of energy you want around you.

• Check in and adjust: Revisit your plan weekly or as needed. What worked in week one might shift in week four.

• Remember—your wellbeing matters: Planning is an act of love and advocacy for both you and your baby.

If you’d like guidance as you prepare for your postpartum journey, I offer compassionate, practical support to help you create a plan that truly serves you. Feel free to reach out—I’d be honored to walk alongside you.