The Importance of Postpartum Coaching in Improving Postpartum Wellness
Entering the world of motherhood and fatherhood is a beautiful yet challenging journey. As new mothers and fathers navigate the changes that come with postpartum life, it’s important to understand how family coaching supports mothers and their families as they look to establish healthy postpartum routines and practices.
During that period, many women experience a rollercoaster of emotions, which may include joy, anxiety, and sometimes, overwhelming sadness. Men are not exempt from this chaos of emotions either.
Understanding Postpartum Challenges: Physical Effects of Childbirth, Depression, Anxiety, and More
Postpartum depression isn't just the "baby blues." While it's normal for new moms to feel a bit down or anxious after birth due to the fluctuation of hormones after giving birth, postpartum depression is more intense and lasts longer than 2 weeks. It's characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and, in some cases, an inability to bond with the newborn.
Postpartum anxiety often accompanies depression, bringing on intense fears about the baby's health, safety, and well-being. Those fears may become debilitating, affecting the mother and in some cases, the entire family unit. In fact, the effects of postpartum depression and anxiety extend beyond the mother. It can impact relationships with spouses, partners, friends, and in the workplace.
That’s where the role of postpartum coaching can be used as a preventative measure and to help mothers and families build resilience for future challenges. Postpartum coaching is non-clinical and can provide a supportive space for new parents to explore their feelings, understand their experiences, and develop coping strategies. Additionally, including other immediate family members in coaching sessions helps everyone understand what one or both birth parents are going through, fostering empathy and creating a more supportive environment.
Postpartum coaching can also addresses the challenges that new mothers and fathers face, such as navigating changes in their identity, managing anxiety, and balancing their roles as both an individual and a parent. In this environment, new moms and dads can explore their concerns, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and feel less isolated. They might also learn to communicate more effectively with their partners, fostering better relationships and a more harmonious family dynamic.
Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment for Growth
A major component of postpartum wellness is creating a safe and supportive environment where new mothers and fathers feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment. This involves the immediate family and a broader network of friends, peers, healthcare providers, and therapists. In such an environment, mothers and fathers are more likely to seek help for symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety, recognizing that they are not alone in their experiences.
Bridging the Gap: Dr. Kristal Lau’s Revolutionary Approach to Postpartum Wellness
Dr. Kristal Lau, the compassionate mind behind Bridges In Health, knows that postpartum care isn't just about mental health—it's about nurturing the whole person. It's about taking care of the mother’s physical recovery and her emotional and mental health while also considering the needs of the entire family. That holistic care method is often missing in conventional postpartum care, but Dr. Lau is changing that narrative.
Redefining Postpartum Care with a Personal Touch
Dr. Lau's journey to becoming a Postpartum Wellness Consultant is deeply personal. As a Malaysian expat, a mother, and a spouse of a US veteran, she has experienced the realities of postpartum across different cultures and health systems.
When she became a first-time mother, she faced the same anxieties and challenges many new moms do. She encountered common yet often unspoken struggles like postpartum depression, Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER), gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and pregnancy-related snoring which worsened into sleep apnea. Recovering from and dealing with these conditions while adapting her Asian cultural postpartum practices to a Western environment wasn’t easy. It was this blend of personal and professional experiences that inspired her to create something different—something more holistic and inclusive.
Dr Lau's company, Bridges In Health, doesn't just offer coaching services. It’s a lifeline for mothers and families, offering support that is grounded in both modern science and time-honored traditions. She also consults for businesses and organizations to deliver better and thoughtful postpartum care. Dr. Lau’s approach is about having the best of both worlds—integrating the restorative practices of traditional Chinese Confinement with the benefits of modern Western postpartum care. She also applies the European Lifestyle Medicine principles in her work.
Her book, "Postpartum 30," is a testament to this vision. It offers a flexible postpartum plan and Confinement plan that blends the best of traditional and modern practices, guiding new mothers and their families through the critical first month after giving birth.
Dr Lau’s philosophy is simple: every new mother and her family deserve a personalized road to recovery that respects the mother's wishes and needs first, while also incorporating the latest in modern postpartum care.
Adopting A Family-Centered Approach
One of the core principles of Dr. Lau’s work is that postpartum care isn’t focused only on the mother; it includes the whole family. She believes that a mother’s well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of her family, including her partner, her other children, and any immediate family members who will be part of her postpartum journey.
Focusing on the family unit as a whole gives Bridges In Health the unique advantage of providing comprehensive postpartum care, one that recognises everyone’s role in the birthing parent’s recovery.
The mother-centered family-focused philosophy extends to the services Bridges In Health provides, from developing specialized Confinement services and postnatal retreat stays to offering workshops and retreats for healthcare professionals and new mothers and families. The goal is simple: to equip everyone involved with the tools and knowledge they need to support a thriving postpartum journey.
Supporting Those Who Serve
Dr. Lau’s commitment to maternal and family wellness doesn’t stop at her company. As a veteran’s spouse, she has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by military families, particularly around childbirth and postpartum care. She is an active board member of the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition (MBRNPC), where she advocates for better perinatal care for US military families. Her contribution here ensures that military mothers and their families are not left behind.
FAQs About Dr. Kristal Lau's Approach to Postpartum Wellness
Why is a mother-centered family-focused approach important in postpartum care?
A mother-centered family-focused approach is key because a mother’s recovery is closely linked to her support system and the well-being of her immediate family members. Involving the entire family ensures a more supportive environment, reducing stress and promoting better outcomes for everyone.
What role does Dr. Lau play in supporting the military community?
Dr. Lau is a board member of the Military Birth Resource Network and Postpartum Coalition, where she advocates for better perinatal care for US military families. She also continues to volunteer and support military spouses and families at the last duty station her husband was stationed at in Germany.
Does postpartum anxiety affect the family dynamic?
Yes, postpartum anxiety may affect the entire family. It often leads to heightened stress levels, communication breakdowns, and increased tension within the household. Postpartum coaching addresses the issues by providing strategies to manage anxiety and improve family dynamics, creating a more supportive and harmonious environment.