New Parents: Setting Expectations and Boundaries with Family and Friends
SETTING EXPECTATIONS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
DURING LABOR AND WHILE IN THE HOSPITAL
When you go into labor, there is no doubt your friends and family will be excited and anxious to share the news with everyone. We have all heard stories of someone breaking the news before the parents have had the joy of sharing that their baby has arrived. One of the things we discuss in our CenteringPregnancy sessions is the importance of setting boundaries with friends and family and managing our expectations in advance of the birth of your baby. Here are some situations that you may want to plan for and discuss with your friends and family during your second and third trimesters.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF LABOR AND THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABY, specifically social media announcements. We included a graphic you can share on your own social media to let your friends and family know that you prefer to make your own birth announcement.
VISITORS -- DURING LABOR AND WHILE YOU ARE IN THE HOSPITAL. Most women prefer to stay focused and calm with few visitors, if any, during their labor. Telling your family and friends that you plan for your chosen support person to be the only one present while you are in labor, in advance, may help you avoid difficult and uncomfortable situations. We encourage postpartum moms to take advantage of their time in the hospital to rest, recover and adjust. Gently but firmly remind anyone who wants to visit that you are recovering from the birth and that you need to rest and take care of yourself. You can let them know when you think you will be accepting visitors at home and that you will happily plan some time for them to come see you and your family when you are ready.
These are just some examples of the many times that you will need to set boundaries as a new parent to preserve your own sanity . If you are feeling overwhelmed or need help with this process, we recommend attending a new mom support group to get encouragement and ideas from women in the same position as you.
At CWCC, we are planning a postpartum support group that will be facilitated by a mental heath professional that will take place every other week in our office. You do not need to be a patient of our practice but registration will be required to attend. Please let us know if you are interested by emailing shannon@cwccga.com for detailed information when we set our schedule.
