Postnatal Support For Disability Support Workers
Welcome to the postnatal support module. This self-paced module has been designed specifically for you, the disability support worker who may find yourself supporting mothers, and their support partners, in the postnatal period. It might be their first experience of parenthood, or perhaps their second or third; no matter the circumstances, they will need empathetic, compassionate and intuitive support. You can be a source of great reassurance and comfort to them during this challenging, yet rewarding time, which will likely be one that is defined by sleep deprivation.
As a disability support worker you need to allow plenty of time to listen to any questions and concerns mothers may have, know where to source appropriate information and offer timely reassurance. You should have a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the mother’s body as she recovers from labour and birth so that you can translate complicated ‘medical speak’ and communicate it to the mother in a more ‘user-friendly’ way.
As you work your way through this module keep your eyes peeled for the many support tips which are designed to give you practical suggestions so you can better support mothers and their support partners.
Be alert but not alarmed by the health alerts in this module. They are not to frighten you, but to make you aware of some things that can and do happen.
Be sure to click on each link, resource and video to fully complete the module. At the end of the module you will be directed back to any areas missed.
Within the module you will find learning check-ins which are designed to consolidate your learning and identify gaps in your knowledge.
We hope you find the reflection scenarios an interesting way to incorporate the information within this module into ‘real life’ situations.
The glossary, which includes commonly used terms, is a useful resource and will assist you with decoding any jargon you may come across in the world of new motherhood. You might choose to print this out so you have it at hand.
Don’t forget to complete the post-module questionnaire – this helps us to evaluate and improve our learning tools in order to better support disability support workers, like you, in the future.
Note that perinatal mental health (PNMH) will be covered in greater depth in a separate module.
This module is simply a guide and learning tool for you; this might be the first time you have supported a new mother as she adjusts to her new life, you may have helped a friend or family member in this situation, or you may have had a baby yourself. Regardless, we hope you find the information in this module helpful in assisting mothers, advocating for them as they navigate the steep learning curve that mothering presents, and as they build memories as a new family.
