what is so hard about postpartum?

Oh the newborn phase, the phase that makes everyone baby hungry. The one that seems perfect and just a breeze, when actually it's not. Moms make it look like it is when they share those sweet photos on Instagram. It's hard to share the bad when you feel like postpartum should be easy. Some moms will feel like they are failing because it's not blissful for them. The postpartum period can actually be really hard and a HUGE adjustment for families, couples, kids, moms and dads.

Postpartum starts after you have given birth and it is generally understood that it ends around 6-8 weeks, hence why you have a 6 week check up... which is kind of pointless if postpartum is over and you had a really hard time healing.

Let's talk about just the physical effects of birth. You have an open wound in your uterus, whether or not you've had a C-section from your placenta. You may have torn, so now you have stitches. You are wearing a diaper or wearing something that resembles one. Hemorrhoid cream and tucks are now your best friend. Incontinence but pooping is hard. You might have bruises from the IV and getting your blood checked for different levels, the blood pressure thing lol. You're belly doesn't just magically disappear. You're exhausted, birth is usually not a sprint. It's a marathon. Breastfeeding brings it's own issues.. maybe it hurts, you might have cracked and bleeding nipples, leaking, engorged, mastitis, and changing sizes and shapes. You guys, it's hard.

Mentally... well I wanted to get some help from my friends on Instagram! So, I put a question box on my story for moms to share how they felt postpartum. I wanted you to know that if/when you have these feelings that you aren't alone. (If you are a mama let me know in the comments what was so good/bad about postpartum for you!)

• "A freaking no joke rollercoaster!"

• "Happy and relieved to not be pregnant, so tired and exhausted. Didn't expect breastfeeding to be so hard."

• "It's a magical stage, I felt ashamed that I was feeling depressed! Everyone else is so excited and expect you to be too."

• "I was extremely happy that my baby was here and safe, there's a lot of other emotions going on as well."

• "I felt proud of myself for enduring something so outside of my comfort zone."

Mentally, you are all over the place! Honestly, it is so hard to process the emotions that come and go in a daily or hourly time. Your relationships are all changed, whether it's with your husband, you mom, mother-in-law, your friends, etc. they all have changed and you have to navigate that as well.

There is hope though! You can start preparing for postpartum while you're pregnant! But you will have to wait until next week to learn how! (;