Postpartum Can be Just as Stressful as Pregnancy, Here's How to Cope

(Photo : Unsplash/DerekThomson)

One of the toughest phases that mothers go through are the months following after they give birth, or what we most likely know as post-partum. With all the stress, fatigue, and anxiety caused by sleepless nights and restless days, mothers really go through a lot even after they give birth. Although doing research and reading books about pregnancy and how to deal with it after can be effective in preparation for motherhood, it is not a guarantee that everything you read is applicable to you. 

While not everyone discusses postpartum, it is important for mothers and everyone who surrounds her understand what it is. Postpartum is not a joke, and it can cause severe cases especially towards a woman's mental and emotional health. Postpartum can be a full roller coaster ride for mothers, but it can be helped by knowing what are the things that normally happen during this phase and what you should do about it.

Although there are tons of postpartum signs and effects that you can read in books, magazines, and online blogs, there are things that these books can't tell, and many mothers can still relate to it. Although postpartum experiences will differ, there are still some random things that occur to one mother that another should know. 

Postpartum gets you real personal with everybody. The stress and exhaustion after labour and the following days with your baby may get into your nerves almost every time from anyone-- may it be your husband, your family, or total strangers that you don't even know. You will become more annoyed and high-tempered that you almost don't have any patience left at all, but this is quite normal. 

Recovery is not something that happens instantly. There will be different pains that a mother from labor will go through. It can be physical or emotional. In a physical aspect, you will experience major pain especially down below. If you came from a normal delivery, expect some vaginal pains for the next couple of days. Going to the bathroom can be a tough thing to do, but you will get through it. 

You will still look and feel pregnant. Your bipolar mood will still be there even after your baby is born, and expect that it will be like that for the next couple of months. Sometimes, even though you don't look pregnant, you feel conscious about your body and you tend to feel frustrated about it. You might see your reflection in the mirror and see the changes especially in your belly, and you feel strange about it. Know that it is normal and you still look beautiful.

Postpartum breasts are not as good as you think it is. Since you're breastfeeding your baby, your breasts will look different and has changed through time during your pregnancy. Now that your baby is out, you might want to wear more comfortable bras and ditch the cute backless and strapless bra and tops for awhile. Postpartum boobs hurt a lot. Also, for first-time breastfeeders, you will experience chest and breast pains and it's going to be a sign that your milk is ready.