Why Postpartum Care Should Start in Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to get caught up in planning for your birth—your hospital bag, your birth plan, your baby registry.

But what about planning for you after birth?

Postpartum care often gets overlooked in our healthcare system, but your healing, recovery, and mental health matter just as much as your baby’s care.

At NMD Wellness of Scottsdale, we believe postpartum care should start during pregnancy, not after your baby arrives. Preparing now can help you feel supported, reduce anxiety, and set you up for a smoother recovery.

Why Postpartum Care Matters

The postpartum period isn’t just the first six weeks after birth. It’s a year (and often longer) of your body and mind recovering from pregnancy and birth while adjusting to a new season of life.

You deserve:

✅ Physical healing support
✅ Mental and emotional health support
✅ Nutrition guidance for recovery and breastfeeding (if applicable)
✅ Ongoing care to manage thyroid, hormones, and mood

Planning for your postpartum care during pregnancy helps you know what to expect, who to call for support, and how to care for your body in this tender season.

How Pregnancy Sets the Stage for Postpartum Recovery

Your body’s nutrient stores, hormone health, and stress management during pregnancy impact your postpartum recovery.

✨ If you’re nutrient-depleted before delivery, your body will have a harder time healing.
✨ If your thyroid is struggling during pregnancy, it can impact your postpartum hormones and mood.
✨ If you’re already burnt out, adding sleep deprivation and newborn care can feel overwhelming.

By addressing these during pregnancy, you can reduce your risk of:

Postpartum depression and anxiety
Thyroid flares (like postpartum thyroiditis)
Severe fatigue and prolonged healing
Difficulty with milk supply

What Postpartum Care Can Include

At NMD Wellness of Scottsdale, postpartum care may include:

🌿 Lab testing to monitor thyroid, nutrient levels, and hormones
🌿 Nutrition and supplement guidance to support healing and energy
🌿 Mental health check-ins to identify and support postpartum mood changes early
🌿 Lifestyle planning for realistic movement, sleep, and stress management in the newborn phase
🌿 Breastfeeding support and inflammation management

How to Start Preparing During Pregnancy

✅ Build your support team now. Identify your postpartum doctor, lactation support, mental health resources, and family/friend help.
✅ Consider your nutrition and labs. Work with your doctor to ensure you’re entering postpartum with your best possible foundation.
✅ Discuss realistic expectations. Planning for rest, slow recovery, and asking for help can reduce feelings of overwhelm.
✅ Plan your fourth-trimester check-ups. Don’t wait until your six-week OB appointment to get care. We see our patients checking in around 2–3 weeks postpartum to address early concerns.

You Deserve Support, Not Survival

Postpartum isn’t meant to be survived—it’s meant to be supported.

By preparing during pregnancy, you give yourself the gift of a smoother, healthier postpartum experience. You deserve to feel cared for and equipped as you transition into motherhood (whether it’s your first or your fifth).

Ready to Start Planning Your Postpartum Care?

At NMD Wellness of Scottsdale, we support you through pregnancy, birth planning, and postpartum recovery so you can enter this next chapter with confidence.

Book a Meet-and-Greet Consultation to learn how we can help you prepare for a healthier postpartum journey.