Postpartum Stress Management;
home based care for families with newborns.
Elizabeth Galinauskas, child care professional will provide:
:: Baby care basics
:: Care of older children
:: Light housekeeping
:: Run errands
:: Laundry
:: Cook meals
:: Emotional support for new parents
:: Breastfeeding support and resources
:: Bottle feeding support
:: Family support resources
Contact Elizabeth for an interview and ensure yourself a stress-reduced
postpartum period.
With 21 years experience in the childcare profession, Elizabeth will provide
excellent references upon request.
Boston area only.
Phone 617.947.6777 or e-mail
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Becoming a Mother
Becoming a mother is a life altering event.
Although it is filled with joy and hopeful anticipation of the future, there
also may be anxiety and uncertainty. The moment a new mom cradles her infant in her arms you can see and feel
the connection. They gaze into each others eyes and the observer can see
that even though the umbilical cord has been cut, it exists in this spiritual
connection. The new mother discovers a love she never could imagine, it
cannot be explained, only experienced.
An event this awesome brings with it many challenges. No operating instructions
came along with this package. There is no Motherhood course that I know
of offered at colleges and universities. The new mother learns from trial
and error. Looking at the history of child birth in our culture, you will
see there have been many changes. There was a time when childbirth was
a “social event.” The women of the neighborhood would gather at the home
of the birthing woman and lend a hand. They not only helped with the birth
but with the postpartum period as well. The new mother was surrounded by
wisdom. Most likely her own mother was there to care for her. Other women
in the neighborhood cooked meals, took care of siblings, and tended to
household chores. This allowed the new mother to spend time with her infant,
rest and slowly adjust to her new position as a mom. Breastfeeding wasn't
an issue because mom was surrounded by experienced women who could teach
proper techniques. The new mom was supported in every way.
Birth today is quite different. In most cases it is a “medical event.”
Women give birth in a sanitary hospital setting and are sent home with
a few diapers and wishes of good luck. The new mom needs more than good
luck. The way our society functions today leaves a new mom isolated. Most
of her female friends are working full time; her mom is most likely also
working full time or is elderly and not able to physically support her.
A woman who has just given birth feels a strong need for female companionship
and support. There are no women of wisdom in her kitchen cooking meals
and doing laundry. This is where a postpartum doula is needed. A postpartum
doula is a care giver, a nurturer, a role model for the new mom. She comes
into the home to see that the new mom’s needs are met. She guides the new
mom through the transition of becoming a mother. Advice is kept to a minimum,
the doula encourages mom to come to her own conclusions; to trust her instincts.
The postpartum adjustment period may or may not be full of anxiety and
uncertainty, either way a new mom needs support, guidance and the company
of other women. Whether she has had her first or third child, the new mom
thrives when she herself is nurtured and supported and when mom thrives,
so too does baby.
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