Postpartum Planning Guide for Couples
Plan for more than the birth - prepare for postpartum as a team
A practical, step-by-step resource to help you and your partner feel supported, connected, and aligned during the vulnerable fourth trimester.
Postpartum is not just a mom thing - it’s a team effort
You’ve taken the birth class, built the registry, and set up the nursery. But most couples overlook the critical weeks that follow the birth.
The truth is, postpartum can be one of the most intense and vulnerable seasons in your lives - not just for the birthing parent, but for both of you. And if you’re not prepared as a team, it can feel like everything’s unraveling when you're already running on empty.
Without knowledge on what to expect, and having an aligned approach to support each other, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and even hopeless - just when you need each other most.
The weeks following birth lay the foundation of long-term health & well-being
67% of couples experience a decrease in relationship satisfaction after the arrival of a baby. The pressures of postpartum life - sleepless nights, shifting roles, and emotional stress - can take a significant toll on relationships.
Postpartum depression (PPD) doesn’t only affect moms. While approximately 1 in 7 mothers experience postpartum depression, research shows that up to 10% of fathers also experience significant symptoms of depression after the birth of their child. Both partners are at risk, and it's important for both to plan for support and recovery.
So why not prepare for it?
the cultural gap
the cultural gap
Why do we plan baby showers, but not postpartum support?
We share information and advice with moms, but often not both partners.
We celebrate the nursery. We throw parties, give onesies, and stock diapers. But when it comes to supporting parents after the baby arrives? It’s not standard.
We surround Mom and Baby with a medical team throughout pregnancy, so they know what to expect as they grow and birth the baby. After, there is a standard 6 week postpartum visit for Mom, and the rest is left to the parents to navigate.
But support is critical.Moms who feel supported and surrounded tend to have better success with early breastfeeding, initial infant care and adapting to motherhood. And a couple who is aligned in their approach can better navigate the obstacles that come their way while supporting each other’s needs.
And that’s why this guide matters.Because postpartum shouldn’t catch you off guard - and support shouldn’t end when the baby is born. Planning in advance for ways to support each other, and build your support system and village can make a world of a difference.
Postpartum stress impacts both partners, and they shouldn’t be left to navigate it alone.
COMMON CHALLENGES:Unsure of what to expect or how to support each other
Sleepless nights, shifting roles, emotional ups and downs
One of you feels overwhelmed; the other unsure how to help
Mental load & division of labor can become tension points
Miscommunication & new challenges
Postpartum depression (PPD) and mental health struggles
The need for physical recovery after birth: research-based strategies for healing the body and mind
Difficulty asking for help in the moment
“When I was pregnant with my firstborn, we read a few books and took advice from family/friends. We were prepared for pregnancy, but not the postpartum journey. I wish we would have known what to expect and how to support our needs.”
- M & G, parents of three
It’s about more than just baby stuff.Meet the Postpartum Planning Guide for Couples
This 80-page interactive & holistic guide helps you prepare for the fourth trimester - as a team.
When both parents have access to the same information & tools, the entire family thrives. You’ll uncover what support looks like for both of you - emotionally, logistically, and relationally. Because winging it can lead to tension and miscommunication - clear expectations, shared planning, and practical tools make the difference.
In addition to the emotional and relational support, we also provide a holistic approach to recovery - mental and physical - so that both partners feel empowered and ready to face the challenges of this transformative time.
With the right strategies in place, you can show up for each other, feel confident in your roles, and grow stronger together in this new chapter.
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Learn what to expect and discuss ways to support each other: Talk through what each of you needs to feel supported
Set up your support system in advance: Make a plan for meals, visitors, sleep for the entire family, and recovery
Avoid resentment by dividing responsibilities ahead of time
Learn how to offer help in the way your partner receives it best
Plan for physical recovery (for the birthing partner) and mental health support
Implement communication strategies and solutions to strengthen your relationship
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Preparing as a Team – Vision and Goals
Ways to Support Mom’s Recovery and Everyone’s Needs
Preparing Your Relationship
Preparing Your Support System / Village
Relentless Values-Based Prioritization
Identifying a Game Plan for Sleep for Everyone
Your Family’s Plan for the 4th and 5th Trimesters
Resources
what people are saying
what people are saying
From Distant to Connected, Unexpected to Prepared, and Alone to Supported
Couples who’ve used this guide say they felt more grounded, more connected, and more equipped to handle the rollercoaster of postpartum life. They navigated the hard days and leaned in together, knowing how to best support each other. You can too. With preparation and teamwork, postpartum doesn’t have to be survival mode and new challenges. It can bring you closer and leave more time for bonding and resting.
From surviving to thriving.Moms who’ve used this guide tell us they felt seen, empowered, and ready. They went into postpartum with a plan - not just for diapers and meals, but for their own healing, joy, and identity. You can feel grounded in your decisions. You can rest without guilt. You can enjoy this sacred season, knowing you’re supported from day one.
“During postpartum with our third child, we were both more prepared, and I was in such a better place mentally and physically to soak in the sweet snuggles with a broader perspective of everything going on. It was a much more special time that time around.”
- M & G, parents to three
Parents need more shared knowledge, strategies, alignment, and support.
Move into postpartum empowered, and aligned on your approach as a united front. Inside, you’ll work through guided conversations, create a support strategy, and build a postpartum routine that honors both of your needs. Think of it as your roadmap through the unknown - so you don’t have to figure it all out in the fog of exhaustion.
Set realistic expectations
Build your support system in advance
Prepare emotionally, physically, and practically
Communicate your needs with confidence
Nourish your body and spirit during recovery
i'm here to help
i'm here to help
Hi, I’m Deana!
Mother. Wife. Educator. Friend.I created the Postpartum Planning Guide because when my husband and I were expecting our first child, there was no comprehensive information and strategies to support us both in the life transition. I had learned about the common obstacles parents and couples experience, and during pregnancy, we discussed important topics like setting up our village of support, optimizing recovery, communication, sleep, our values and needs, and our relationship. Having a plan made a positive difference for our three postpartum journeys. We spent less energy figuring it out as we go in the tiring postpartum period, and could just be in the moment.
After watching others experience common themes and obstacles, and postpartum doulas noticing the positive outcomes we were having with our aligned and proactive approach, I knew I wanted to share the research-based strategies more broadly. Using my background in applied psychology and decade of experience in strategic planning, I’ve pieced together components that help all parents in the postpartum period.
I’m here to support you.
Here’s the bottom lineSupporting parents during the postpartum period leads to healthier, more positive outcomes
Being empowered with research-backed information and strategies, and aligning on them together - as a team - can be the missing piece that allows parents to enter this phase with confidence, knowing their mental and physical energy can be fully focused on rest, recovery, and bonding with their new baby, while ensuring their own needs are met throughout the transition.
