10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About The Postpartum Experience | Detroit Baby Photographer
Mama-to-be, you are growing a human in your body. There are so many exciting things happening and that you are planning for and it is all so FUN! Finding out the gender of baby, hearing the heartbeat, feeling those baby kicks, that cute growing bump of yours, baby showers, decorating the nursery, deciding on the baby’s name, picking out the perfect car seat and stroller set - so much goodness!
I’ll let you in on a little secret though. For some reason, women like to tell first time moms their birth stories, but what they don’t tell you about is postpartum life. I don’t know if it’s because they are just reminiscing about the birth of their little one and to get you excited (or terrified, it could certainly go either way!) but I know I certainly wasn’t prepared for the postpartum “surprises” that happen. So for you first timers, this blog post is for YOU!
Without further ado, here are 10 things I wish someone had told me about postpartum life…
Your belly isn’t magically flat after birth. Matter of fact, you still look 6ish months pregnant.
True story. Your uterus expanded during pregnancy, and it takes time for it to shrink back down. Your body also will be peeing out (and sweating out) the extra fluids. And of course, there’s the baby weight…
Soak up the day or two in the hospital and the postpartum nurses.
Postpartum nurses are like earthly angels. They are there for YOU and baby. Let them help you. Ask them breastfeeding questions. Tell them if you need something. You’ll be home in two days and figuring this out on your own, so you may as well use your resource while you’ve got it.
Expect the night sweats postpartum, but know that they’ll end.
No one ever told me about night sweats by my GOODNESS! Remember all those fluids I mentioned your body will be getting rid of? That’s this. The night sweats are real, so don’t be surprised if you wake up soaking wet and need to change your pajamas. And sheets.
Just how healing Epson salt is.
The nurses did actually tell me about Epson salt, but I honestly dismissed that I would need it. I was then humbled to say the least! Use your sitz bath with Epson salt and let the healing begin, mama!
It’s ok if you don’t “enjoy every moment.”
I specifically remember saying I was going to "enjoy every moment.” I quickly learned that with a rough birth recovery from baby #1, some struggles with PPD, and lack of sleep that I was not, in fact, enjoying every moment. And that is perfectly fine and normal. It is a major life change, and so many changes with your body - so prepare yourself that there will be some things that aren’t so enjoyable.
You’ll wear your maternity clothes for… awhile.
I take you back to number one, you’ll look 6ish months pregnant. Try to remind yourself it isn’t forever, and it is much more comfortable than feeling like a stuffed sausage in your pre-pregnancy clothes.
You may not have a big milk supply, or barely at all and that’s ok. I’ll repeat it again for the mamas in the back: That’s ok.
I always thought breastfeeding would be SO EASY and that it would just WORK. I need to do a whole blog post on my breastfeeding struggles and the sadness that it caused for me, but that is for another time. So for now, I’ll say that every woman’s body is different - you may have a big supply, you may not. I unfortunately did not and I tried everything I could to build a supply for 4 months with one child, and 2 months for my second. It has been five years and I’m still bummed about it, but my kids are both healthy and fed, so that is all that matters at the end of the day.
You will need support - don’t be afraid to accept the help.
If you have awesome family and friends that offer to bring you a meal, say YES! If your best gal pal wants to clean your house, say YES! If your aunt wants to hold the baby so you can take a nap, say YES! Are you getting the picture here? ;) Say YES!
Ask a close friend in advance to check on you for postpartum depression.
At your 6 week postpartum check up, your doctor will ask you if you are experiencing any postpartum depression and likely you’ll say no and then everyone moves on. Have a close friend that knows you through and through follow up with you on this. A friend that will know if you’re lying and actually need help. It is ok to need help, it is not ok to go through PPD alone and struggle your way through,
Your daily routine will be flipped upside down for about three months.
Babies have zero routine, and their nights mixed up with their days for awhile. Try not to stress when your normal routine is all out of wack. My best advise is to try to take a shower to refresh yourself and eat meals to fuel your body and brain. The rest will come together, I promise.
These 10 things weren’t meant to freak you out because if it were that bad, women wouldn’t continue giving birth. However, they are all things I personally wish I would have had a heads up on, so I hope they help you better with life after birth! After awhile you forget about all the postpartum mess and then yearn for another baby. ;)
xo,
Chelsie
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Chelsie Maurer is a professional photographer specializing in Maternity, Newborn, Child and Family sessions in Metro Detroit and surrounding areas. Her photography studio is located Downtown Utica, Michigan.