support

Here are some things that I feel that I need to get through early adjustments to parenting:

• help getting fresh groceries and/or premade healthful meals delivered by friends
• daily visits to help me by holding the baby (or watching him/her while they are sleeping) so I can do laundry or shower
• sleep-overs (I will have a spare room with an actual bed in it) so that if I am worried in the middle of the night or if the baby is making me stressed with normal baby behaviour (learning to breastfeed while tired, etc) that I will have someone to say "be brave, it will be ok".
• people to chat with over Skype
• phone calls
• someone to come with me to midwifery appointments (usually 1x per 2 weeks for 6 weeks) after the baby is born, so they can help remind me afterwards of things that were discussed in the appointment.
• hugs and encouragements
• help with my pets (so far, a dogsitter has been arranged for a couple weeks and I am very grateful)
• help with errands, in case I need a prescription or some unexpected baby gadget
• people to drive me places I need to go (in my car if necessary) if I'm not feeling well enough to do it myself.

Things I will be doing to help myself:

• I will talk about my needs and expectations before the birth
• I will have a diaper service for a few months instead of washing diapers myself
• I plan to cook & freeze some healthy soups and have lots of smoothie ingredients, frozen meats and wheat-free baking in the freezer + a stockpile of "dry goods" such as soy milk, rice pasta, etc.
• I will have an organic grocery delivery arranged 1x per week (usually this means only veggies/fruit)
• I am sending the dogerella off to her Auntie's so I don't need to worry about walking her for the first couple weeks.
• I will have lots of baby blankets and lots of newborn sized hand-me-downs so that I won't have to do lots of tiny loads of laundry every day. I will have coins on hand so that I can use the laundry without hassle. I'll have all my baby stuff pre-washed and ready a few weeks in advance.
• I will give myself permission to ask for help/company, and equally I will give myself permission to decline help if that which is being offered is not what I need.
• I will reach out to friends old and new, and will be open and loving with them and not just ask for support but give love too.