As a new mom, I found postpartum to be a shocking series of events with my hormones, body, and emotions. Navigating this period of life on sparse sleep — and unrealistic expectations — I not only floundered but felt like I was drowning. And I know many of you can relate: this has been a topic many women have asked me to cover over the years.
I’ll be sharing my entire health and postpartum story in an upcoming episode, but today we’re taking a deep dive into hormones + postpartum recovery!
I’ll be honest, there’s so much misunderstood about the postpartum recovery period. And while we’re surprised by our issues popping up six, nine, even twelve months postpartum, much of this is directly connected and correlates with our misunderstanding, and quite frankly, disrespect for this precious recovery window.
In today’s episode, we’re taking a journey through postpartum by taking a look from a historical perspective as well as unpacking the role of hormones and adrenals in this season. We’ll also look forward with hope as I share practical ways to biohack the postpartum period and honor your body along the way.
Friend, my hope is that you’ll leave this episode giving yourself radical grace that flows into every season of your life!
Resources Mentioned
Things to Remember
Did you know the postpartum hormone drop is considered the single largest sudden hormone change in the shortest amount of time for any human being, at any point of their life cycle? Yet we wonder why we’re not bouncing back after six weeks!
Because we only relate to what we see needs healing, we often minimize the postpartum season. But what about what we can’t see? Just because we can’t physically see a wound, doesn’t mean we don’t need a lengthy healing period. Beyond the surface, so much healing is happening. Even our brains are having to reset after having a baby and this takes time. You can’t put time in respect of healing on loan, but many of us act like that’s exactly what we’re doing, and it shows. We don’t have to look far: it shows in postpartum anxiety and depression rates. Our society’s body debt is HIGH.
If you don’t respect your body’s need for healing in the present, you will pay for it on the backend. Your body keeps the score, trust me. If you put in healing, rest, and good nutrients on the front end, you will notice your brain functioning more optimally, your body feeling balanced + more at ease and your ability to take on tasks without feeling overwhelmed and shaky. Now, if you rush this process, you’re going to get out what you put in—anxiety, fatigue, lackluster, overwhelmed with basic tasks and the inability for the body to “bounce back.”
Our body’s priority is NOT to lose weight. When we’re exhausted, and looking at this from a primitive/biological perspective, our body’s priority is purely this: survival, nurturing and protecting our baby. Our body is in a hyper aware state of nervousness because it’s prioritizing what it should. The problem becomes when, in addition to the body being keyed up, we add unnecessary stress. We deny the body its most necessary state—a peaceful transition and rest. Pushing on the expectation of weight loss will more than likely encourage your body to hold weight even more so.
We’re expecting too much of our brain + body. And when they can’t give us what we need, we restrict instead of giving more back. And we wonder why we’re flailing. It’s a sick and ironic cycle, but it’s one we can break.
The Wellness Wrap-Up
A new rhythm, perspective, or change you’ve made in your life to achieve a life that’s more wholly well.
For me, it’s absolutely this idea of a change in perspective concerning the postpartum period. I would say adopting radical grace toward myself, my brain, and my body, and in turn encouraging my clients to do this same. This, of course, is easier said than done. But by integrating healing rhythms into postpartum care, you will find the body comes back with more energy + ease.
Meet the Guest
Kelsey Jack
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