All the Things I Learned About Postpartum Recovery Along the Way
February 19, 2025
Giving birth is just a milestone, the work isn’t over yet.
This is it! She’s here. A vaginal birth! She’s healthy, she’s perfect! I did it. I just brought this beautiful baby into the World! I will give her all my love and nurture her bright soul. These were the whirlwinds of thought that came into my mind after giving birth to my daughter almost three years ago. Then it was pure (sleep deprived) newborn bliss. Then it was getting prepared to to go back to work. Then it was being back at work, until it was leaving work and figuring out what to do next. That is when I began to come to terms with several things I was feeling. Brain fog. Not ever really being rested. Feeling weak and fatigued. Low immunity. Irregular period flow. Gaining weight. Peeing when I sneeze…making being sick even more exhausting. Yes, these are all common postpartum experiences, and they require recovery work. And yes, you can and will do the work to recover. You gave birth to a baby. You are strong!
Women’s needs and concerns are often dismissed. Find healthcare providers that listen to you.
It’s difficult to explain all the things you are going through after childbirth. During pregnancy, there are frequent prenatal check-ins, as there should be. But once the baby is born, unless a serious health issue is detected, the check-ins with a pregnancy care specialist cease. Now it’s on us to essentially seek out care and resources. If you don’t know how to articulate exactly what you need, then you might not get the care you need. That is why I highly recommend making sure you have health care providers that listen and are willing to work with you during a time hormones are out of balance, pelvic floor muscles have been worked to the max, and you are taking on the biggest responsibility of your life.
I cannot stress how important this is, even if it can be daunting to find someone that is really willing to spend the time and listen to understand what you need. I personally had frustrating visits with two separate healthcare providers that left me feeling judged and not cared for. Still, I wasn’t ready to give up and decided to schedule my annual physical with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and bam – third time was the charm. My reason for giving a DO a try was their more holistic approach to medicine. After discussing everything I was going through, she ordered some extra blood tests and discovered an imbalance in certain hormone levels. With this knowledge, I adopted a new diet and finally feel like I have energy again. Not to say a DO is what every postpartum mother needs or a silver bullet: I’m just sharing my experience to stress the importance of advocating for yourself and finding a healthcare provider that is the right match. You deserve to be listened to.
Make Time for Self Care
I had excellent self-care practices in place prior to giving birth. A gym/sports/Yoga routine, cooking healthy meals, a spa day ritual, sleep, regular friend and hobby meet-ups all kept me healthy and feeling good. Then the baby comes and everything goes bananas. I no longer had the luxuries of free time and making time for myself meant paying for childcare. I, like many new parents, find ourselves in this predicament. Regardless, figure out a way that is within your resources and get your self-care routine in place. There are gyms with in-house childcare and postpartum Yoga classes where babies are welcome. If you have family and friends that offer to babysit, or a partner that will care for the baby while you soak in the tub or get a massage, you are genuinely loved. And remember, depending on where you live, you and your partner could be eligible for paid leave benefits to offset the costs of welcoming a new child. Check your local and state websites.
There are several holistic and alternative healthcare providers that specialize in working with postpartum mothers, such as lactation consultants, massage therapists, acupuncturists, pelvic floor specialists, personal trainers, mental health providers and Yoga teachers to name a few. Discuss these therapies with your general healthcare provider and ask for their recommendations. Your insurance may even cover the cost, so call and ask. Paying out of pocket costs can add up. If you have access to a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), take advantage by setting aside the funds to reduce your tax liability. If you are on a tight budget, then you’ll have to be creative. I highly recommend finding a 15-30 minute postpartum workout on YouTube and doing it while your little one sleeps. Pregnancy and Postpartum TV is my go to. It will take some time to get into the right groove that works for you and your family. It’s fine to start with setting small goals, then tweak and add as you go. Your body will thank you for acts of self-care, large and small.
Be Kind to Yourself
It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. Caring for yourself is a lot to do when you are also caring for a child. You are not in a race with anybody else but yourself. I recall feeling so weak the first time I got on a Yoga mat after giving birth. What used to be easy and invigorating, now felt sooooo hard. But that is why we get on the mat. To check-in with our bodies. All my body was telling me is that I’ve gone through a lot. Don’t be discouraged. You will heal and build your strength back up if you commit to it. You got this!
You Are Going Through a Process to Become Your New Self
I had a friend that insisted on wishing me a happy birthday on my daughter’s birthday. According to her logic, the day a baby is born, so is their mother. While it was a super sweet thing to say, I didn’t really get it at first. But motherhood has revealed to me many aspects of myself I never really knew existed. I didn’t know I’m skilled at teaching, guiding, entertaining, patience, fostering creativity and developing curiosity until I became a mother. Who knows what I can do, and who I can become as I cultivate and apply these talents in the World and toward my interactions with others.
Our children are also a reflection of ourselves and the environment we raise them in. Be the person you want your child to grow up to be. Evaluate your influences. We are living in the real world where we can’t shield ourselves in a bubble, away from all negativity, but we can limit it by setting boundaries and learning to manage it in a healthy way. Our babies are watching, learning and emulating it all.
It’s Never Too Late
Don’t beat yourself up if you didn’t pay attention to your post-partum recovery straight out of labor and delivery. You were slammed with feedings and diaper changes and in awe of this little being you just created. And our culture and society hasn’t exactly established enough support and resources needed for new parents anyways. The important thing is that you pay attention to your body and take care of it now. Becoming a mama may also ignite a new passion in your life. Whatever it may be – a new career, a side-hustle, an art project, a desire to give back to your community – embrace it, create a plan, and go for it!
Megha Varma – a mom living in the California Bay Area.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this blog is based solely on the personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives of the author. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The author does not endorse or promote any specific products, services, or treatments unless explicitly stated. Any health-related information shared on this site should not be interpreted as professional advice, and readers are encouraged to make decisions in consultation with their healthcare provider. By reading this blog, you agree to hold the author harmless from any claims or damages that may arise from your use of the information shared on this site.
Blisstaysis 