“You birthed a baby, and you birthed yourself into a new phase of life. There is no more pronounced shift in body, mind, and spirit than becoming a mother.” -Kimberly Ann Johnson
Oh, Postpartum. The fifth “P.” In my opinion, there is nothing more raw, more exquisite and vulnerable than this hazy, time warp of newness. And, as I struggled to do it justice in preparation to write this newsletter, I was called to search my actual notes from my most recent Postpartum experience with Johnny.
And today, with completely vulnerability, I share them with you, as this is just as real as it gets. So, here goes…days 1-5.
May 7, 2019 – May 11, 2019: Postpartum Thoughts & Ramblings
Inside Out: the birth of child and mother
A journey through pregnancy, labor and the earliest days
Day 1: May 7
I feel physically and literally turned inside out. Baby entered the world with a tender ferocity, corkscrewing through my pelvis as my body bucked and shook. The intensity, the power, the vulnerability. Raw, raw, raw.
Feminine energy running through my body, coursing through my veins, through my trembling legs and firmly fixed hands.
Entering as a force, exiting as a whisper, a willow, a swaying trembling fawn. Heaving chest, teary eyes searching for answers, for support..as vulnerable and new as the birthed baby in my arms.
Both so fresh.
And already, the experience is over. Behind us, and we’re swept along into this new phase.
Phantom belly kicks.
Day 2: May 8–Getting to know you and going home. So much information, exhaustion and love.
Day 3: May 9–Waterworks
Day 4: May 10–Doing too much, wrestling with myself
Day 5: May 11–Settling in
You can see that the words became less and less as I wrestled with postpartum emotions and the transition to becoming a parent to two (doing too much).
But, during this newborn phase, while baby is still sleeping much of the time, it’s hard not to feel as though you’re “doing too much.”
For example, take a look at the Day 5 pee/poop/feeding log below!
I had to laugh when I came across this note…SO, SO BUSY! Yet, physically, I remember being so still, so stationary, almost planted…waiting for baby to wake, to change sides while breastfeeding, to pee, to poop, to burp, to go back to sleep…and to do it all over again.
A log like this might look familiar to the moms reading! On the other hand, it may look like a foreign language if you’re on the preconception side of things. It will make sense, truly!
I share all of this to demonstrate the intensity and fullness of the postpartum experience.
At Bodies for Birth®, I help you to prepare for postpartum from our very first meeting/your first class. I begin by educating on how to prepare your body physically throughout pregnancy so that you’re strong and capable going into labor.
I provide education around what to expect postpartum and how to begin your recovery in the earliest of days. This is intentional.
During pregnancy, we tend to be more receptive to information, and sometimes it’s called a “teachable moment.” Whereas in postpartum, we are wired for survival, bonding, nurturing, nesting. To me, this makes complete sense. And in my experience, I witness this being a much more challenging time to provide education.
With this in mind, it is my job to prepare each and every prenatal client with a foundation of education that they can can call upon in the earliest days, weeks, months–knowing that I am always here for support should they need more.
Postpartum is full of unexpected twists and turns, so it’s important to have Resources in place and a plan for your postpartum recovery that includes attention to your mental health.
I experienced extreme Postpartum Anxiety following Will’s birth, so I was determined to have a plan in place when I became pregnant with Johnny. This plan included seeing a therapist throughout pregnancy and creating an actual step by step action plan with my husband for our postpartum journey. These efforts made a huge difference during what was a beautiful, yet overwhelming and emotional time.
Having a tribe helps.
Having a community of like-minded women helps.
Reaching out for support helps.
Being willing to receive support helps.
Being willing to talk about all of this helps–whether that is in advance in the form of anticipatory guidance, while you’re in the midst of it all, and/or afterward to help process.
It all helps.
So, talk it out, walk it out, grab a friend.
Know your Resources and don’t be shy about using them.
I would love to be part of your tribe.
Something to Learn: Pregnancy leads to permanent rewiring of brain, study suggests
Something to Share: Perinatal Support Washington–An ESSENTIAL Resource
Remember, each proactive step you take in Pregnancy helps to set you and baby up for a health-filled and strength-fueled pregnancy experience!