What No One Tells You About Postpartum Recovery
Postpartum recovery is often sold as a six-week sprint a quick physical reset followed by getting “back to normal.” But for most women, the experience is far from linear. It’s layered, slow, and deeply personal. From hormonal shifts to emotional overwhelm and physical depletion, the early postpartum season can feel like uncharted territory.
As a naturopath and counsellor, I’ve worked with many women navigating the complex realities of life after birth. Here’s what I wish more people talked about paired with gentle, practical ways to support yourself.
1. The Six-Week Check-Up Is Not the Finish Line
You might be told you're “all good” after six weeks, but that rarely means full recovery. Many women are still bleeding, not sleeping, and trying to figure out their new identity. And that’s normal.
Support Tip:
Honour the pace your body needs.
Trust that not rushing is a form of self-care.
2. Hormones Are Doing a Lot Behind the Scenes
Post-birth hormone shifts affect much more than your mood. They can impact sleep, digestion, skin, joints, and even your ability to concentrate.
Support Tip:
Magnesium, B-complex vitamins, and omega-3s can help ease emotional swings and brain fog.
Herbal support can be helpful especially if you’re breastfeeding, but always check with a practitioner first.
3. Pelvic Floor Recovery Isn’t Just About Kegels
You don’t need to have had a traumatic birth to experience pelvic floor dysfunction. Leaking, heaviness, back pain, or painful sex are signs that deserve proper assessment.
Support Tip:
Book a postpartum check with a women’s health physio they can tailor a plan to your specific needs.
Breathwork and gentle core rehab matter just as much as muscle strength.
4. You Can Feel Lonely, Even When You’re Never Alone
Many new mums feel isolated. Constant feeding, broken sleep, and a sudden loss of freedom can leave you feeling disconnected even while deeply in love with your baby.
Support Tip:
Stay connected to at least one safe person or space. This might be a mother’s group, a phone call, or a walk with a friend.
Reduce time on social media if it leaves you feeling “not enough.”
5. Grief Can Be Part of the Experience
You might grieve parts of your life before baby. Or the birth you didn’t have. Or the way things feel harder than you expected. This grief is valid and doesn’t cancel out your joy.
Support Tip:
Allow space for all the feelings.
Journaling or gentle talk therapy can help unpack what’s rising.
6. Postpartum Depletion Is Common and Fixable
After pregnancy and birth, many women are low in iron, vitamin D, B12, iodine, and zinc. This can show up as fatigue, anxiety, irritability, poor wound healing, or feeling “wired and tired.”
Support Tip:
Ask your practitioner to test your nutrient levels around 8–12 weeks postpartum.
Don’t underestimate the power of rest, proper meals, and saying yes to help.
Final Thoughts
Postpartum recovery is not something to rush through or push past it’s a time to slow down, listen in, and rebuild from the inside out. You deserve more than to simply “bounce back.” You deserve to feel nourished, understood, and supported.
If you’re finding it hard to navigate this season, I offer personalised care that supports both your physical healing and emotional wellbeing with practical, compassionate strategies to help you feel like you again.
You deserve to recover fully, not just function.