Postpartum Support for New Mothers in Singapore
Support systems in Singapore exist to help new mothers adjust to motherhood during the vulnerable period of postpartum. New mothers are encouraged to seek support from doctors, the community, and family to help ease their physical and emotional load.
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Are you a new mother in Singapore and looking for support? Or maybe you want to know what support systems are in place so you are prepared for having a baby? This article from Pacific Prime will provide the answers to all your questions relating to postpartum support.
We will discuss what the postpartum period is and its unique challenges, and then the postpartum and maternity support systems in place in Singapore. Keep reading to understand everything there is to know about postpartum support in Singapore.
Explaining the Postpartum Period to New Mothers in Singapore
The postpartum period for new mothers in Singapore is the time after the delivery of a baby and is typically considered six weeks long. Postpartum is a time for recovery and rest to allow your body to heal from childbirth, but it is also known for the challenging symptoms it can bring as well.
Postpartum Challenges for New Mothers in Singapore
Postpartum brings unique challenges to new mothers through physical changes and emotional and mental well-being issues. Motherhood brings some big adjustments with it, and these are often felt most acutely during the postpartum period.
Physical Challenges of the Postpartum Period
New mothers have to deal with many physical challenges during postpartum, like recovering from the childbirth process and breast pain or tenderness if they are breastfeeding. Childbirth is an intense process for your body, and recovering from it can be lengthy and painful.
New mothers will need to rest and keep their activity levels low during this time to help their bodies heal and prevent too much bleeding from occurring. This is especially important for new mothers who have c-sections, who should restrict their movement to help their bodies heal.
Breast tenderness and nipple pain are common challenges for new mothers who have chosen to breastfeed their babies. This pain will go away with time as the mother and baby adjust to their new feeding routine, but it may take as long as six weeks or more.
Emotional and Mental Well-being Challenges of the Postpartum Period
Often, a new mother’s emotional and mental well-being takes a great toll during postpartum due to the influx of hormones, lack of sleep, and physical changes they are going through.
Postpartum “baby blues” commonly affect mothers within the first one to two weeks after giving birth and are caused by an influx of hormones, which can cause anxiety, crying, and restlessness. This is normal and should go away with time, but it can still be hard to deal with.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is different than the “blues” as it doesn’t go away as hormones change, and it can cause great damage to a new mother’s mental well-being.
Some symptoms of postpartum depression are:
- Depressed mood
- Severe mood swings
- Difficulty bonding with your baby
- Loss of vitality
- Isolating yourself socially
- Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
- Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
- Intense irritability and rage
- Hopelessness
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
- Restlessness
- Severe anxiety and panic attacks
- Reduced ability to think clearly, concentrate, or make decisions
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
New mothers who suspect they have postpartum depression should reach out to their doctors for help. They can be prescribed different medications that can help their depression lift and their moods regulate, or they can be guided to counseling services that can help as well.
The Importance of Support in the Postpartum Period
Support during postpartum can help mothers heal and recover properly, improve their bonding with their babies, and improve emotional well-being. Postpartum is a vulnerable time for new mothers, and without adequate support, they may not heal as quickly or as completely.
Support can be found in many different ways and through different mediums. Your preferences and needs will determine the right support system for you and your family.
Postpartum Support Systems in Singapore
Some postpartum support systems available in Singapore for new mothers are healthcare providers, community programs like local mom groups, family support, and postpartum doulas. These support systems can help new mothers with the challenging postpartum period.
Healthcare Services
New mothers can access support through different healthcare services like therapy, regular doctor visits, and more. Proper healthcare plays a vital role in the postpartum period in ensuring the health and wellness of the mother and baby.
A visit to your OBGYN six weeks after the birth is standard procedure. Your doctor will make sure that you are healing correctly and will take your vitals as well. Some doctors may screen you for postpartum depression in their office by having you fill out a questionnaire.
Some other healthcare services that can support new mothers during postpartum are:
- Breastfeeding consultations: Lactation consultants are available in most hospital maternity wards and can come to you for home visits as well. Lactation consultants will help you with any issues you may be having with your breastfeeding journey and help with pain as well.
- Pelvic floor therapy: If your pelvic floor has not healed properly during postpartum, you can visit a pelvic floor therapist to see if they can help you strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. They can identify any potential pelvic floor issues (like incontinence) and help you overcome them.
- Mental health counseling: Mental health counseling can help women work through any emotional or mental issues they are dealing with during their transition into motherhood. Counseling can be especially valuable to those who are dealing with postpartum depression.
Community Programs
New mothers in Singapore should look to their local community to find mom groups that can offer support during postpartum and beyond. Singapore has different community programs for new mothers, such as the New Mothers Group and Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group.
New Mothers Group offers regular events that new mothers can attend in Singapore, and the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group offers more breastfeeding-centered workshops and events.
Mother’s groups can be found in all kinds of neighborhoods and even through online forums like Facebook. New mothers in need of support can look no further than their community, which will likely have other mothers who have gone through similar experiences.
Family Support
Family help plays a crucial role in the recovery and support of new mothers in postpartum. Supportive partners and family members can play a significant part in keeping new mothers healthy and well-rested by offering help with childcare, meals, and housework.
The family can step in to help with any necessary errands, meal preparation, and other tasks that need to be resolved so that the new mother can rest. Family members are also usually the first to spot signs of any postpartum depression, so they should take great care to check in on the new mother.
Postpartum Doulas
Postpartum doulas are trained professionals who help new mothers and families adjust after birth. They can provide information and support on infant care and coping skills for new parents and work to ensure the transition to parenthood is as smooth as possible.
They may offer other services such as:
- Sibling care
- Light housework or chores
- Assistance with errands
- Light meal preparation
- Assistance with newborn care (feeding, bathing, diapering, and more)
Doulas are often hired for assistance with the labor and delivery process, and if you have hired one for your delivery, it’s worth it to ask if they also offer postpartum support services.
The Role of Maternity Insurance in Postpartum Support
Maternity insurance can also help during postpartum by providing financial support for any healthcare services you receive. Doctors’ visits, medications, and other healthcare services are often covered by most maternity insurance during the postnatal period.
Some plans may even offer additional benefits, such as postpartum counseling, to ensure the mental and emotional well-being of their policyholders. If you’d like financial help with paying for these services, maternity insurance is a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What support is available to women in postpartum?
Postpartum support is available through healthcare providers like OBGYNs, mental health professionals and counselors, postpartum doulas, and community programs like motherhood support groups. You can also seek out support from your family.
What role do healthcare providers play in postpartum support?
Healthcare providers play a key role in postpartum support as they can monitor the new mother for any signs of worsening physical symptoms or a change in emotional or mental health. They can prescribe medicines to help during this time as well, like in cases with postpartum depression.
How can families contribute to postpartum support for their loved ones?
Families can offer postpartum support to new mothers by helping with housework without being asked, encouraging the new mother to rest, bringing over meals, and offering to help watch any other children in the home. They can also check in with the mother and ask what she needs.
How does physical and mental well-being impact postpartum recovery?
New mothers with poor physical and mental well-being may not recover as quickly or as completely during the postpartum period. They may have trouble getting as much sleep as they should due to restlessness or insomnia, which can directly impact their recovery.
Can postpartum support services be accessed remotely or online?
Some postpartum support services can be accessed remotely, such as doctor visits or therapy appointments that are done via video calls. Additionally, some mothers’ support groups can be found on online forums and social media websites, such as Facebook.
Conclusion
Postpartum support plays a key role in helping new mothers adjust to and thrive in motherhood. Without the right support, new mothers can face harder emotional and physical struggles. Singapore offers postpartum support through doctors and the community.
Maternity insurance offers financial protection to families in Singapore from pregnancy to postpartum. Pacific Prime can help you find the right policy for your needs by offering a variety of quotes and plans to compare.
As a broker, Pacific Prime is not tied to one particular insurer and can provide you with unbiased and free advice. Reach out to us online to speak with an insurance expert, or use our free quote tool to begin comparing plans on your own.
Enjoyed this article? Check out our other articles on Childbirth Education Classes in Singapore and Comparing Maternity Hospitals in Singapore!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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