The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast

Episode 172 - Relationship Circles – Planning Postpartum Support

Season 6 Episode 172

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0:00 | 31:54

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Preparing for birth is only half the story. What happens in the weeks after your baby arrives can be just as challenging — and often more overwhelming than labour itself. That’s why I teach the Relationship Circle in my antenatal classes, a practical way to map your support network, set boundaries, and clarify who does what.

At the heart of the circle is Mother + Partner + Baby, because postpartum is a shared journey. Around that centre, the circles show both parents’ families and friends, making it easy to see who will help, who needs boundaries, and where conversations are essential.

In this episode, we talk about mapping your network, having important discussions during pregnancy about visits, practical help, and boundaries, and navigating common challenges — like the now very common “no kissing the baby” rule. Planning this way helps reduce overwhelm, prevent conflict, and protect your recovery, so you can focus on what matters most: your new family.

Download Your Relationship Circles Postpartum Planning Workbook – 5-page printable PDF with templates, examples and questions to help you plan support and boundaries before baby arrives.

A practical tool to map your postpartum plan with confidence and clarity.

If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford

If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-

Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner  - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove

The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF

You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner

Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann  -  https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences.  Any recommendations made may not be suitable fo...