What No one Tells you about Post-Partum

Things no one tells you about post-partum (after delivery) recovery:

Pooping hurts. Yea. Whether because of hemorrhoids, soreness, or muscle fatigue, it hurts for a few weeks after delivery. Take a stool softener if you need to!

Crying. Your emotions were out of control during pregnancy, that doesn’t immediately get better afterwards. Add lack of sleep and crying newborn, and expect some tears from yourself. If you feel increasingly depressed, or have any thoughts of suicide at all, talk to your health care provider.

2am delusions. Back to that lack of sleep thing….. I remember a few days at about 2am with Micah thinking “it’s ok, his mom will show up soon and then I can go to bed…. awww stink, I AM his mom!”

Breastfeeding is natural but not easy. God created women with the ability to breastfeed. And it’s pretty awesome, but it’s not necessarily easy. For some it is, for others it isn’t. Stick to it and be open and honest with your doctor or lactation consultant so you can get the tips and help you need.

Hot flashes. Remember the hormones are still a bit out of whack? Don’t be surprised if you have hot flashes. Dress in layers and have a blanket near where you nurse so you can either wear it or throw it off during those night time nursing sessions.

Failure Feelings. This kind of goes with the crying, but there will be times that you feel like you aren’t doing things right and you can’t do it. You’ll feel like you are failing. First, get your expectations straight – you can’t cook all those pinterest recipes, make the cute crafts, take the adorable pictures, and deal with a newborn all at once. No one can. Then, remind yourself that babies are a lot of work, and crying is a whole new language that you don’t speak. Be willing to take breaks, let someone else help you, and focus on the positive things you can do. Again, if you feel increasingly depressed or have any thoughts of suicide, seek help immediately.

Supermama feelings. The opposite of the failure feelings, sometimes you will feel awesome. I mean, how awesome that we can totally sustain a life in our bellies and then from our boobs? And that the cute little sleeping face came from us! As time goes on, when baby rolls over, sits up, crawls and so on, you’ll celebrate each accomplishment with pride and happiness.

What other things have you noticed that no one told you about?