Rebekah Mustaleski

It’s the season of the year when love is in the air! Do you feel it? Do you feel it for yourself and the miracle of life that you are growing inside? Self-love is a vital part of our emotional well-being that can improve how our body feels physically, too—especially during pregnancy. Some people love being pregnant. Self-love flows naturally out of the wonder and joy of carrying a baby. But not everyone has a natural fondness for being pregnant! Either way, when the pregnancy hormones are flowing and you’re growing a new life inside. It’s the perfect time to try some of these Valentine’s Day-inspired self-care strategies and love the bump you’re with this season.

The medical definition of “postpartum” is the first six weeks after you give birth. But talk to anyone who has had a baby before and they will tell you that the postpartum period is much longer than that! This time after birth has also recently been referred to as “the fourth trimester,” which would imply that it is actually about 12 weeks long since each trimester is about 12 weeks. But the reality for many new mothers is that the postpartum lasts for about 12 months after giving birth. During this time, your body is healing, replenishing, and recovering from birth AND from the 9 months of pregnancy. Let’s talk about ways you can support your body and mental health during this recovery process.

With all of the prenatal and baby-related products that are available these days, it can be difficult to know which ones are really necessary and which ones are not. While there are many optional pregnancy products, the gentle compression provided by a maternity support belt is not something you’ll want to do without! A pregnancy support band helps with many discomforts of pregnancy, such as lower back pain and pelvic girdle pain, so for most pregnant women, having a pregnancy band is a good thing. How does a pregnancy support band keep you more comfortable in the second and third trimesters? Below are the top three physical benefits of wearing a support belt during pregnancy.

The first hour after birth is referred to as “the golden hour” because it is a unique time of transition for both the birthing parent and the baby. When a baby is placed on the mother’s chest or abdomen and receives early skin-to-skin contact, this intimate connection helps both individuals begin the physiological adaptations to life postpartum. In addition to supporting the physical changes happening during this time, immediate skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding and emotional safety, which decreases stress levels for both. Although the first hour after birth is particularly important, you can get the benefits of skin-to-skin contact with your baby at any time! Let’s take a closer look at what you can your baby will gain from skin-to-skin contact in the postpartum and how it can benefit your breastfeeding relationship.

Pregnancy is such a fun and exciting time—there’s nothing quite like preparing to welcome a new soul into the world! But with the anticipation of meeting your baby, can come a host of unexpected aches in your body caused by the physical and hormonal changes of pregnancy. It takes a lot of work to form a whole new person inside you. Plus your body is shifting and accommodating to allow your baby to grow and develop. The benefits of compression during this transitional time of life have been used for ages around the world and thankfully, Motif Medical has developed maternity compression products that are designed to support a healthy pregnancy and promote a smooth postpartum recovery. Even better than that, most of Motif’s maternity support garments are multi-purpose and can be used during pregnancy and into the postpartum, too!

There is nothing else in life that can be compared to childbirth. Birth is unpredictable, and almost always goes differently than you envision, and while your body is doing all of the work, it is largely outside of your control. Birth is physical, yes, but it is also a mental, emotional, and spiritual process that happens as you meet your new baby. Put simply, a lot is going on when you give birth! And while a lot is happening, there isn’t a lot of time or energy for you to use making important decisions about the care you want during birth.

Did you know that the time after you give birth to your baby is called the “Fourth Trimester?” The first three months after delivery is a time when there are enormous changes happening in your body. You’ve spent the last nine months growing and nourishing your baby inside. Now you are continuing to support your baby once they’re on the outside, so this is a time where you need to focus on taking excellent care of your physical self. Your body needs physical, emotional, and nutritional support during the Fourth Trimester to transition from pregnancy to postpartum in a healthy and uncomplicated way.  

Bringing a new life into the world is a miraculous experience, but it also comes with a unique set of challenges, especially if you delivered your baby by cesarean section (C-section). Whether you had a planned surgical birth or the events of labor led you to having a cesarean birth, recovering from a C-section involves more than just physical healing--it requires holistic self-care that encompasses your body, mind, and spirit. Here’s some tips to help you nurture yourself during the postpartum if you gave birth via C-section:

If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant this year, I want to help you start the year feeling your absolute best! First thing we’re going to look at is your sleep during pregnancy. How much are you sleeping? Do you wake up in the morning feeling rejuvenated or exhausted? Are you in a comfortable sleeping position or wake often in the middle of the night? When you sleep and how you sleep can have such a profound impact on how you feel and function throughout the day. This is because sleep is a vital part of our life. Our bodies need a restful night to flush out toxins and to repair and restore on a cellular level. A lack of good sleep will eventually affect us on a mental, emotional, and physical level. So what can you do to create an environment that enables you to get the best sleep possible? Here are my top 5 tips to help your body get the rest it needs at night so you can feel your best during the day:

When you are pregnant, there is often significant attention to helping you prepare for birth. You might attend a childbirth class and make a birth plan. You may have chosen your healthcare provider based on your birth experience preference. Some people also hire a doula to support them in the birth process. At some point in your pregnancy, someone will usually mention the baby’s part in your big day—finding the “optimal fetal positioning". Don’t be fooled by this term! Let’s explore various maternal positions to provide you with a better understanding when professionals discuss this information.