What no one tells you about the months after birth
The months after childbirth, often called the fourth trimester, bring a mix of joy and real physical change that doesn’t get talked about enough. In the excitement of a new baby, well-wishes tend to focus on the child: has he taken his first step, is he sleeping through the night, did he say “Mama” or “Dada” first? The question that gets asked far less often is simply, “How are you, Momma?”
Too often, a new mother’s needs are pushed to the background of her growing child’s, whether by her own choice or simply because there isn’t time. But a postpartum belly with stretched, wrinkly skin; occasional leaking when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or get excited; discomfort that makes intimacy difficult; chronic sleep deprivation; and a posture thrown off by long hours of nursing and carrying a baby are all common experiences, not something to just accept quietly.
Postpartum care is finally catching up
The longer any health issue goes unaddressed, the harder and longer it can take to resolve, and postpartum recovery is no exception. Fortunately, the standard of care is shifting. In 2018, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) moved toward optimizing postpartum care with a healthy pregnancy, baby, and mother as the shared goal.
Postpartum care is now viewed as an ongoing process rather than a single encounter, with more individualized care, a follow-up check-up recommended around the third week, and an actual postpartum care plan encouraged rather than assumed. Self-care in this period isn’t selfish, and there’s no better time to address postpartum issues than now.
Awareness, education, and action
1. Awareness is key. Start by asking yourself what has actually changed physically since giving birth. Pregnancy is a state of health, not an illness, and the changes it brings shouldn’t have to limit your daily activities or leave you feeling incapacitated.
2. Educate yourself. Information is everywhere, but an expert opinion still matters. A physical therapist, as an expert in body movement, can provide real education on how pregnancy and childbirth change the mechanics of your pelvic and abdominal region.
3. Take action now. A physical therapist can perform a thorough pelvic and abdominal assessment, design an individualized treatment program aimed at restoring movement and fitness, and help you put together a postpartum care plan.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
Tribeca Physical Therapy offers in-person physical therapy sessions as well as Telehealth PT for patients who’d rather start from home. New motherhood brings emotions that run on overdrive, so let go of the mom guilt. Caring for yourself is an act of love and a sign of inner strength: recognizing your own limitations, asking for help, and acting on it is exactly what allows you to best care for your partner and your little one.