Health Options for New Moms
There’s so much to be excited about being a new mom. Seeing one’s child achieve developmental milestones, hearing their first words, and taking care of them will bring so much joy to one’s life. However, some moms feel pressured to become the perfect mother and fail to take better care of themselves. The idealized version of motherhood popularized by today’s press has made it difficult for new moms to accept their vulnerabilities and keep themselves healthy.
As highlighted in Clinical Psychological Science, not being able to handle the daily stresses of parenting and neglecting one’s well-being can cause parental burnout. Parental burnout can manifest physically in new moms as headaches, extreme exhaustion, emotional numbness, and stomach-aches. For new moms to become better parents for their infants, it is important that they do everything they can to maintain their health. Here, let’s discuss what new moms can do to
improve their well-being.
Mental health
New moms may experience mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder after giving birth. Hormonal fluctuations, major lifestyle changes after giving birth, and other stressors are some of the common factors that may trigger the aforementioned mental health disorders.
To support their mental health, new moms shouldn’t be afraid to seek help. Mental health professionals such as therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors are more than ready to help new moms in coping with the mental challenges of motherhood. Moreover, there are a lot of support groups online where new moms can find guidance, as well as make invaluable connections with other experienced moms and experts.
Fitness
It can be hard for new moms to prioritize their physical health, especially since they’ll most likely be focused on establishing a routine with their baby. Because all their attention is on the new baby, new moms may neglect their physique and lose confidence in themselves. To overcome this dilemma, new moms can start small by squeezing in any form of exercise they enjoy into their daily routines — whether it’s yoga, aerobics, or running. However, new moms should remember to take it slow and to carefully gauge their bodies. An article on Today highlights how focusing on endurance, postural awareness, and functional stress can help set new moms for long-term success and bring forth other benefits such as a boost in energy.
Nutrition
In between learning how to be a parent, changing diapers, and feeding one’s baby, eating properly can be quickly forgotten. Proper nutrition is crucial for any new mom, as they’ll need to have sufficient energy to fulfill all their new duties. Thankfully, there are plenty of meal delivery services that cater specifically to new moms. Prepared Meal Delivery lists down some of the best postpartum meal delivery services available today, such as Gobble, Daily Harvest, and Splendid Spoon. Through these services, new moms won’t have to worry about pulling together a nutrient-dense and satisfying meal and instead focus all their attention on taking care of their infant.
Insurance
In 2019, the average cost of having a baby in the US was $10,808. Needless to say, having a baby isn’t exactly cheap. Because of this, new moms and their partners should strongly consider exploring any insurance options they may have. New moms who don’t have insurance coverage are eligible to take advantage of the special enrollment period and apply for marketplace coverage within 60 days after the birth of their baby. New moms who are under Medicare due to their disabilities may have their postnatal needs covered. Disabled folks who meet all the criteria for Social Security Disability are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, which KelseyCare Advantage notes covers inpatient hospital care, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and preventative services. However, Medicare’s benefits are exclusive to the postpartum needs of the mother and cannot be extended to the infant’s medical needs.
New moms shouldn’t abandon self-care and strive to achieve holistic wellness. By keeping themselves healthy, new moms can provide better care for their infants and families. If you’re a new mom who wants to embrace motherhood and celebrate this new era, be sure to check what I offer here on DanicaDonnelly.com.
