The absolute hardest part of my pregnancy and birth was the postpartum recovery. This is true for most first time moms, yet no one ever talks about it. And why? I certainly could have used the heads up... There is so much build up to the birth and "how horrible and painful" it is, that no one seems to think it is important to mention what recovery looks like for vaginal births. This entry will be my attempt to break that secret wide open and prepare some new mommies.
So, here are 10 of the ugly truths.
1) Bleeding (lochia) - There will be bleeding and lots of it. Not just a "period flow," but a "you just pushed a tiny human out of your uterus flow." After a few days, the bleeding tapers off significantly, but most women bleed for 2-6 weeks.
2) Diapers - You will need diapers and not just for that adorable Little Bear, but for you! Not liners, not pads, but diapers. I was in diapers for about a week and then I was able to taper down to pads.
3) Soreness - You will be sore. I was sore for about 4-6 weeks post baby. The first few days hurt to sit, but you gradually get less and less sore as days pass. This is one of the reasons first-time Mom's delay sex for about 1-2 months post baby (some longer), because they are still tender.
4) Stool Softeners - Yes, that tenderness means pushing for #2 can feel very scary! Once you get one poop down, you will be golden for the rest, but that first one can be scary. Stool softeners help. They are your training wheels for pooping again.
5) No Toilet Paper - Many midwifes and doctors recommend not using toilet paper or wipes for the first few weeks to help prevent additional tearing or infection. Many women use a rinse bottle to clean themselves after bathroom breaks.
6) Baby Blues - I feel like there has been an increase in awareness of postpartum depression, but it has come at a cost. Women are forgetting about "baby blues." All women get baby blues and it is different from postpartum depression. Baby blues is a term used to describe the depression, anxiety and just general moodiness that comes from the quick shift in hormones, lack of sleep and physical recovery of delivery. Postpartum depression is defined by an attachment issue with baby and not exclusively for feeling depression symptoms.
7) Abdominis Rectus (Split abs) - This condition is super common. Sometimes a mom's abs get pushed to the side to make room for baby to grow, and then post delivery she will be tender and sore from not having those muscles in their original place. Many moms find using a postpartum belly wrap or binder helpful as an external support, while those internal muscles find their way back. The binder wont be "needed" after 1-2 weeks, but having one will certainly help you walk around those first few days.
8) Breastfeeding - Nursing can be complicated in the beginning. How could something so natural be so difficult for so many woman? I won't dive into this one too much because honestly it needs its own entry, but it is normal to have a few days of painful, bleeding nipples. So don't freak out or give up. Its very temporary.
9) Bladder Weakness - Your bladder will never be the same and ya, you may pee on yourself more. Some Moms are able to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles pretty quickly and resolve this issue in a few months, but others deal with a longer period of "oops" urine leakage.
10) Driving - Women are recommended to not drive for about six weeks after delivery of their first child. This isn't always possible logistically for some families, but the muscles used to drive are significantly weaker and can effect your ability to respond quickly.
Overall, this entry was not meant to scare you. Trust me, you will be in heaven the moment you stare into those little eyes and hold those baby fingers. You wont be thinking as much about yourself or your pain. Additionally, you will have tons of awesome hormones and such helping your amazing body (that just grew that perfect baby) do just as amazing of a job recovering.
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