Things No One Tells You About Your Postpartum Body

Hi everyone! I’m sorry for the delay in posts, but if you’re a mommy then I’m sure you understand how daunting being a new mom can be. I’ve been attempting to get into a rhythm and for the past few weeks I’ve just been sleeping when Baby S sleeps, so that left very little time for blogging. Baby S is now one month old and I have a ton of things I want to discuss that I’ve learned over the past month.

The first topic is things no one tells you about your postpartum body. This topic was actually a request from one of my very good e-friends who is currently pregnant. I’m sticking to the physical changes… I’ll leave the emotional/hormonal changes for future posts.

1. Deflated Stomach

Over the past 9-10 months, you’ve watched your stomach expand and stretch to a size you never imagined. Well after delivery your stomach immediately starts to deflate. I was not at all prepared  to suddenly no longer look pregnant. I remember taking a shower about an hour after delivery and realizing that my stomach no longer looked like a beach ball. Instead, I looked about 3-4 months pregnant. As the days passed I also realized that my skin on my stomach was darker and appeared a bit saggy. I’m not sure if the skin darkening is just a “woman of color” issue, but the fact that my stomach is so much darker than the rest of me is really weird.

2. CRAMPS

Yes those dreaded cramps are back and this time they brought menstrual bleeding with them. I knew that I would experience menstrual bleeding post delivery, but I was not prepared for the amount of bleeding. I was also shocked when the doctor told me it might last 4-6 weeks. Thankfully by the third week I was only spotting. I also was not prepared for the cramps. They were particularly bad when I would use my breast pump, but I found out it was my uterus contracting and shrinking, which overall is a good thing. I dreaded those cramps the first two weeks postpartum. I mean isn’t it bad enough that I went through a pitocin induced labor without an epidural? Now I have to experience horrible cramps as well.

3. Engorgement

So, everyone always talks about the smoking hot boobs you get when you’re pregnant and breastfeeding; but no one talks about the pain that comes with those boobs. Remember the tenderness you experienced first trimester? Well multiply that tenderness by 5 and add in rock hard boobs, and that’s engorgement. Your breasts realize that you’ve had the baby and now it’s time to make milk. Well your milk production won’t match the needs of a very tiny baby who’s stomach can only hold a teaspoon at a time. I don’t know about everyone else, but my milk came in with a vengeance and Baby S wasn’t latching, so that led to lots and lots of pumping for me. Pumping brings relief, but not as much relief if the baby helps empty your breasts. So, for the first 3.5 weeks of Baby S’ life I walked around with painfully rock hard boobs that felt like electrical currents were being set off inside them every time he cried.

I could go on and on about engorgement, but I’m going to save that for the upcoming post on breastfeeding.

4. Exhaustion

I know you’re thinking of course I’m going to be exhausted I have a newborn, but I’m talking about the exhaustion you feel before the late night feedings. It’s sort of like the first trimester when you’re slightly narcoleptic and would just fall asleep after sitting for too long. Yea that came back… no one had to tell me to sleep when Baby S slept those first few days, because I was too tired to do anything else.

5. Your Sore Lady Parts

I’m not sure what I expected after a vaginal delivery. I mean I knew that it meant the baby would come out of me and that my vaginal area would stretch to depths I didn’t think were possible, but I never really thought about the recovery process. How come no one tells you that it will hurt to walk? Yes, walk. Oh and if you end up with stitches like yours truly not only does it hurt to walk, but you’re always worrying that you will pop a stitch. It also hurt to laugh and yes every time I laughed too hard I was sure I had popped a stitch. Did I mention you will be swollen in that area? Yea as in they will give you an ice pack to help relieve some of the swelling. What else? Oh make sure you take the stool softeners they give you and pick some up to take once you go home, because yea going number 2 will hurt as well.

Those are my five things that no one told me about my postpartum body. What are some things you wish you had been told? What are things you have questions about, but aren’t sure where to ask?

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