What to expect

Question

As soon as you give birth, how did you feel, what happened to your body and what isn’t talked about?

Answer

I remembered being excited about how easily I could put on socks postpartum lol.  I enjoyed having my body just be mine again.  Physically what was most difficult for me postpartum was peeing and especially pooping in the first few weeks.  I did not expect pooping to be as painful and difficult as it was.  I did have a little tearing though and not sure where it was, so it could be related to that.  Sex was also painful for the first 6 months, but when I finally talked to my OB about it, she prescribed medicine that helped almost immediately.  This time around I wont wait so long to talk to the OB about it if I have the same problem.  Oh!  And something I did not expect and had not heard anyone talk about is how much my vagina would feel strange as it is still shrinking down for a while.  It would be weird as I could feel air coming out of it as I walked.  Like farting from my vagina for lack of a better way to describe it.  It wasnt a big deal, but just odd feeling.  Overall though, I didnt have a lot of pain postpartum and felt like I bounced back pretty quick (I had a vaginal birth with an epidural).  Emotional recovery took much longer and adjusting to being a mom was a long, long process for me.  Just had to take each day at a time and try to enjoy the good things rather than focus on the challenges.

Answer

Initially I was relieved I’d done it and excited to see the baby (as well as relieved he was ok). Then I was incredibly tried and could hardly stay awake after feeding the baby. The following few days I felt happy but also quite stressed due to exhaustion and worrying about everything. I think the things nobody talks about is how hard starting breastfeeding can be (get all the help you can with it) as well as how long it takes to recover and how exhausting the first week is (it does get better). My body didn’t change that much and I lost my bump very quickly but my abdomen was quite wobbly after. There’s also not enough talk about pelvis floor and stomach muscle recovery as you do really need to do some exercises x

Answer

Everything already said is so true. I had a vaginal delivery w epidural and something I didn’t know about is that immediately after my daughter came out I got freezing cold and began to shake throughout my whole body uncontrollably. I thought something was really wrong but apparently it’s normal from the endorphins and blood loss of birth. However all the doctors were tending to my daughter so I just thought I was dying by myself for awhile 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

Answer

I couldn’t keep my eyes open, I was trying to stay awake but my body said no. I had to ask my SO to take the baby. A few hours latter I was on the biggest high for bring my baby into the world drug free. I often think back to how amazing that natural high felt.

Answer

I was incredibly nauseous with some vomiting for around 2 weeks after my daughter was born (after not throwing up once in the almost 42 weeks I was pregnant - karma). Everyone made me feel like I was a nut but after doing some research it’s not THAT uncommon due to hormone shifts and rapid weight loss

Answer

I had a quick, natural labour without epidural and got to rest a few hours before the nurse asked me if I could get up to move to my room. I thought no problem, but when I tried to get up, I could hardly move. I had exercised during the pregnancy and thought I was fit, but I could hardly walk more than a few minutes for about two weeks. My belly felt like a big yeast dough. I had to work a lot on my stomach muscles and even a year pp I still haven't gotten my old form back. My boobs are not as firm anymore. But all worth it, my daughter is amazing!

Answer

I felt really sad to not be pregnant anymore! I missed my bump!! Other than that I was pretty sore all over - make sure you do your kegels or you will have a shock after the birth !! :D

What to expect

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