A woman’s body evolves into another version after giving birth. The rewarding feeling and excitement can be overlapped by the woes of the body and hormonal changes.
The changes from pregnancy do not stop when the baby is born. Post-pregnancy is a tough period in a mother’s life. Insecurities come up while the feeling of doubt and lowering self-esteem kicks in.
Challenges of childbirth to a woman
You welcome your child into this world. You feel elated as if in a dream. But along with the happiness of having a child are the challenges that you have to go through as a parent and especially as a mother.
The changes that are happening in your body can be tied to your emotions. A toll of emotions loads up, good and bad.
You can be filled with upsetting thoughts. You worry about the baby and about being a competent parent.
Add up the difficulty in getting rid of the baby fat and stretch marks. Taking care of your little one requires so much time. It is hard to have a personal time for beauty treatments to feel a bit pampered like before giving birth.
Having a newborn can mean your sleep will be disrupted. Your little one sleeps almost the entire day (and night). You might think you can fill the time for self-care. Eventually, you will realize that your baby needs to be fed every 2-4 hours. She might not be fully awake but her crying is the cue that she needs milk.
You become restless and easily tired.
Few days after birth, you may also notice your breasts become full, tender and firm. To avoid or minimize the engorgement, breastfeed your newborn frequently.
Just hold on tight. What you are going through is not a reflection of our parenting skills. You will be able to overcome the difficulties and enjoy life with your little one.
Accepting your new, postpartum body may not be easy. It can be a struggle but strive to avoid negative self-talk. Insecurities are temporary even if they feel permanent.
It takes time to heal – both the physical and emotional distress. You are a powerful being that gave life. You are more than the insecurities you see on yourself.
Here are 10 tips to overcome post-pregnancy insecurities:
- Acknowledge what is happening. Do not ignore the negative thoughts and feelings. Ignoring and suppressing them will only make it worse. You may want to say your crappy feelings aloud or write them down. You can speak to your partner or a friend. Let them know how you are feeling.
- Accept whatever your body looks like after childbirth. It is now a body that gave life. It is the same body that will feed your little one, will grow and comfort your child.
- Eat right. Weight is just a number. It is important to have a healthy diet especially if you are breastfeeding your little one. What you eat is what you feed your baby. It is important to take the proper vitamins and nutrients that you will pass on to your baby. Eat a few mouthfuls. Snack every 2 hours.
- Keep a glass or bottle of liquid within reach. As you move around, satisfy your thirst. Drink milk, water or juice.
- Get your sleep pattern back by following a bedtime routine. Take naps or rest with your baby. Avoid taking coffee anytime during the day.
- Ask for support. Talk to your partner, a supportive friend or a family member. You can also find childcare so you can have some time to take care of yourself. Put in mind, self-care is not selfish.
- Practice relaxed breathing. Slowly breathe in through your nose and then breathe out through your mouth at the same speed. This can be done anywhere, even your sitting while carrying your baby in your arms.
- Do simple exercise. While your baby is sleeping or looked at by your partner, have at least a few minutes to meditate or relax exercise.
- Take multivitamins. Ask your doctor to recommend one for you.
- Set realistic and specific goals to gradually move in the right direction. Small changes to improve self-care behaviours are one of the most important steps to begin feel better.
Pregnancy and post-pregnancy can be an exciting time but it’s also very stressful. Emotions run high. Be aware of your feelings and thoughts. Find a place to talk about these feelings and work through them.
Call your online doctor when you feel overly worried or feel like you’re losing control. You can see a walk-in clinic Guelph whenever you feel the need to talk to a medical professional.
Educating and empowering yourself will help you fight and pass through the challenges. It takes a lot of courage going through the process. Stay at peace with your body and be proud.
