7 Things I Wish I Knew About Postpartum Recovery

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Are you expecting your first baby? After having my first a little over three months ago, I have learned so much and been surprised by a lot of things. Looking back, I wish I someone had given me some postpartum recovery tips to really help me prepare – so I’m here to share my tips with you! If you haven’t already, click over and read my post on the things I wish I had known about labor and delivery.

So many of us do tons of research on pregnancy, but we often aren’t prepared for the “fourth trimester”. Based on my personal experience (a 3 day labor, vaginal birth with an epidural and 2^nd degree tear), I could have done some extra preparation! Your experience will likely be different, but hopefully something here can help you. Here are some things that I wish I knew before my baby arrived:

#1 – You will be sore:

Of course, you’re thinking, it’s called labor for a reason! I knew that too – so I expected some soreness in my stomach and lower body after pushing my baby out. What I didn’t expect was that my whole body would be sore and achy. I actually told a friend I felt like I had been hit by a truck! While you certainly use your abs and your legs to help deliver your baby, it’s likely that you will have sore muscles in other places too. In my case, my neck, shoulders, arms and ribs were sore and tender. Clearly pushing and being tense through contractions worked some muscles I forgot about. Luckily, this was nothing that a couple of ibuprofen couldn’t fix.

#2 – Sitting will be uncomfortable

Hey, you just pushed a baby out of your body! Whether you had pain relief during labor or not, things have been stretched and even torn. It’s likely that for at least a little while (up to 6 or 8 weeks) sitting may be painful. I found this to be more true the firmer the seat – the ride home from the hospital in the backseat was pretty rough. To avoid the pain or discomfort: try to lay down as much as you can! Especially in the first couple of weeks. Trust me, being off your buns helps.When it comes to postpartum recovery tips, trust me on this one. If you need to sit, choose something soft: Put a pillow on your seat or use a donut pillow. This can also help with tailbone pain.

#3 – Your joints will be loose:

This was an especially unexpected one for me. You may know about the hormone relaxin, which helps your body prepare for birth by softening your joints and ligaments. Well, it turns out that relaxin doesn’t just disappear once your baby arrives. I had to be sure to sleep with pillow between my legs and change positions often while breastfeeding. This isn’t too serious, but be aware when you begin to exercise or even do any stretching to avoid overextending. Now at 10 weeks postpartum, I feel like my joints have strengthened some, but things are still pretty loose. I’m doing yoga and adding in body weight exercises to strengthen the muscles around my knees to help.

#4 – Your milk may take time to come in:

If you will be breastfeeding your baby you might expect to nurse right away. However, your milk won’t necessarily come in as soon as your baby is born. My little peanut was born on a Saturday night and my milk didn’t come in until Thursday – nearly a week of waiting! However, your baby can/will nurse and will be able to get colostrum. Colostrum is a super rich substance that satisfies baby while you wait for your milk to come in. This doesn’t mean you won’t be nervous about whether baby is eating enough! Make sure to ask your nurses and/or pediatrician if you are concerned. I highly recommend meeting with a lactation specialist if your hospital offers the opportunity.

PS: Whether you breastfeed or use formula, you’re a good mom. You are making the choices that are best for your family -keep it up!

#5 – You’ll have an appetite

I think in the first two weeks after my baby was born I probably ate a whole Costco-sized case of chicken pot pies. How’s that for real life postpartum recovery tips? You’re recovering, baby is growing and feeding, and all of that takes energy! I ate granola bars and chicken pot pies, and honestly, whatever else my husband or family fixed for me. Delicious and easy to eat quickly with one hand was the name of the game. This is one you can definitely prepare for ahead of time – stock up on snacks.

#6 – Every day gets a little easier:

After we got home from the hospital, the first couple of nights were tough: we were all alone with our baby and responsible for her every need. Sound a little stressful to you? It did to us! All things considered, we did pretty well, but lack of sleep and anxiety can be a deadly combination. Just remember: as rough or frustrating or upsetting as any single moment or hour or day may feel, it will get better. Yes, at first you may hardly sleep, but then you’ll get a hang of the night feedings. Baby will get a little bigger and sleep a little longer. She will start to look into your eyes and cry a little less. Every diaper change won’t feel like wrestling an eel. You were made to be your baby’s mother and there is no one more qualified or better suited to do that job.

#7 – You need a mom friend:

Or really two or three! I used to cringe when I heard terms like mom friend, or mom life, but its the honest truth. No one will understand what you are going through like another mom. I was lucky enough to have two friends who were due the same month as me. We had a blast going through pregnancy and preparing for babies together and once our babies arrived, they were invaluable. Whether it is a quick text to commiserate when the baby won’t stay asleep or just meeting up at local Target to walk around in the air conditioning, your mom friends are priceless. I encourage you to look for out for a community that will support you in this way – whether its friends you already have who are also expecting, people you meet online, or through a prenatal yoga class.

I hope these postpartum recovery tips help you get ready for your new addition and recover well. What are you doing to prepare for your fourth trimester? Do you feel ready for your baby’s arrival? (Do any of us ever feel ready!?) Let me know in the comments below if this helped you or if you have any other tips for moms-to-be and check out my post on the 5 things I bought after my baby arrived.