Mama Needs a Shower

After I had my first baby, I went through a bit of a funk, as many mothers do. It was hard for me to categorize at the time. I'd heard about the baby blues, I'd heard about postpartum depression. And yet, what I was feeling didn't seem to fit into either of those categories. I was elated to be a mom. This was a baby my husband and I had planned for and hoped for dearly. It was a strange way to feel. I felt overjoyed and full of love. On the other hand, I felt like I needed care while I was caring for someone else and that seemed like an unreasonable ask. Yet, I wasn't sure why.

My son's birth was pretty uneventful, but also more physically traumatic than I anticipated. Severe tearing and a tremendous struggle with breastfeeding left me literally unable to sit, bleeding from the nipples and, naturally, discharged from the hospital with instructions to see my doctor in six weeks. Oh, but wait, I needed to make sure I took my baby to the doctor within 48 hours to make sure he was (still) doing ok. At that first visit, I leaned on the table, feeling as though I was about to pass out from pain, while the doctor checked out my baby. I filled out a form to see if I was showing signs of postpartum depression and we were sent on our way with instructions to return in a week to check my baby's weight. 

Those first few days I sent my husband to Target for some nipple soothies and extra parts for my new Medela breast pump. He also got me some awesome Bamboobies hot/cold compresses. I had pads and Tucks that I brought home from the hospital and at that point had everything I thought was necessary to get myself through the next several weeks. And of course, I had everything I needed for my baby thanks to the wonderful shower gifts I had received. 

But what I didn't have was products to actually support me through the healing process. You know, things that would make my life easier over the next several weeks. Postpartum Recovery Tea is a fantastic aid in the healing process. It has amazing herbs that have been used to support mood, uterine health, reduce inflammation and provide vitamins; making this an essential item to support new moms. I didn't have a body oil that could relax me during my moments of stress. And I didn't have a blend of sitz bath soak with specially chosen essential oils to soothe my very sore and bruised perineum. 

I started Momstead because we have an  incredible opportunity to provide these products to new moms now. They should be included in every baby shower gift. They should be on every mom-to-be's registry. For years, we've celebrated baby at the baby shower. And we've supported mom with millions of products she needs to care for her new baby. But let's not forget to shower moms the products they need to care for themselves during this time of life while they are taking care of a new life while also healing from a major medical event.