Postpartum Recovery Truths No One Tells You

 

Hey mommas and soon-to-be mommas,

Let’s talk about the real postpartum recovery. You know, the stuff your doctor didn’t mention in that 5-minute discharge chat and what the baby books totally skipped over. Whether you pushed a watermelon out of your hoo-ha or had a team of surgeons perform baby magic through your belly, postpartum healing is not all cozy snuggles and cute onesies. It's more like a survival game show with adult diapers.
Here’s the truth about postpartum recovery whether you are C-section or vaginal delivery. 

You’ll Feel Like You Got Hit by a Truck (Because You Did)

No one tells you that giving birth, either way, is basically a full-body trauma. I remember waking up after my C-section like, “Did someone karate kick me while I was asleep?” And my friend who had a vaginal birth said it felt like she rode a bike with no seat...down a hill...into a cactus.

The First Pee Is a Horror Film

After a vaginal birth, peeing for the first time is...a journey. It burns, it stings, and that peri bottle becomes your BFF. For C-section mommas, it’s not the pee itself, it’s just getting out of bed to pee. I swear I moved like a 90-year-old grandma at a yoga class.

The Bleeding Is NEXT LEVEL! 

You thought your period was heavy before? LOL. Postpartum bleeding or they called it “lochia” has entered the chat. It doesn’t matter if you had a C-section, you will still bleed. I was shocked, like, “But the baby didn’t even come out of there?!”
Well, the uterus doesn’t care. It’s gonna clean house either way.

You Might Cry Over with Small Things

The hormone rollercoaster is real. I once cried because my sandwich fell apart. Then I cried because my baby yawned and looked cute. Then I cried because I was crying. Postpartum mood swings are wild.
If you feel super overwhelmed or sad for more than a couple of weeks, please talk to someone. Postpartum depression and baby blues are very real and you don’t have to tough it out alone.

Your Belly Still Looks 6 Months Pregnant

Yep. That “snap back” is a myth unless you’re a celebrity with a private chef and a night nurse. For most of us, we still look kind of pregnant for a while. My tip? High-waisted leggings, flowy tops, and a big dose of self-love.

Coughing, Sneezing, and Laughing = Core Workout (Pain Edition)

For my C-section mommas, brace your incision before sneezing. I learned this the hard way while watching a funny TikTok video. It felt like my stitches were trying to pop out and run away.
Vaginal delivery? One word: pelvic floor. Don’t be surprised if you pee a little when you laugh. Get those Kegel exercises going!

You’ll Need More Supplies Than the Baby

You thought the baby needed gear? Nope! You need the real stuff. Think: adult diapers, pads, nipple balm, stool softeners (yes, we’re going there), and lot of snacks.

 

Stool Softener = Your New Best Friend

No one warned me that pooping would be scarier than childbirth. You’ll pray. You’ll sweat. You’ll wonder if you should call someone. Whether you had a vaginal tear or an incision across your belly, that first poop is a spiritual experience.

Everyone Talks About the Baby. Few Ask About YOU.

Everyone wants baby photos, but few ask, “How are you really doing?” So here’s me, asking you: How are YOU doing, momma? Because you matter just as much as the little one in that cute swaddle.

You Are a Freakin’ Warrior

Seriously. Whether you labored for hours or got wheeled into surgery, whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, whether your house is a mess or you’re rocking day 3 in the same robe, you're doing amazing. Don’t let Instagram tell you otherwise.

Remember: 

Postpartum recovery is messy, magical, and a little bit ridiculous. But it’s YOUR journey. Laugh through it, cry through it, survive on snacks and love. And remember, you’re not alone. :)

-The Inspired Momma