Welcome to the fourth trimester: postpartum

Ah, postpartum! This magical moment when you have just given birth to a little being, but your body has decided to go on vacation to the other side of the world... and left you here, in "What is what's happening to me?" Don’t worry, my dear mother (or mother-to-be), you are not alone on this journey. Postpartum isn't just diapers, baby smiles and cuddle time. It’s also a time when your body does its major cleaning. And there’s an aspect that we don’t tell you enough: it’s not just a physical challenge, it’s also a hormonal challenge!

Hormones are...intense!

Okay, first, let's talk about what's driving you crazy after giving birth: your hormones. One minute you're laughing and the next, you're crying or you're doing both at the same time without really understanding why. Hormonal changes are immense after giving birth. The surge of milk, the drop in estrogen and progesterone, breastfeeding, all of this upsets your balance. It's normal, but it's not easy every day. Your hormones are dancing salsa and you don't even know when the music is going to end. And to top it all off, the days are long and often exhausting. You go from super mom mode to depressive mode in 10 minutes, and it’s not your fault!

Your body 2.0

Now let's talk about what awaits you on a physical level. Your little mom pouch, your perineum which seems to have disappeared into the abyss, these kilos that didn't magically disappear and hair falling like leaves in autumn... Yes, postpartum is also that . Yes, you gave life, but it will take you a little time to get your body back from before... or maybe you will never get it back completely (and that's okay too, we'll talk about it later) . Every mother has her own journey! Some women bounce back from childbirth as if nothing had happened, and others spend weeks thinking, “My God, what is that thing in the mirror?” The truth is, there is no “normal” in postpartum. The first months, you will probably be confronted with pain (in the lower abdomen, back, perineum), bleeding (oops, a little more lochia which sends you a message like "you're not finished" ), and sleepless nights that make you rediscover the art of endurance. But don't panic, it's temporary. It can take several weeks for your body to begin to return to some semblance of normalcy, and it varies from mom to mom. For some, it's faster, for others, it takes longer. The most important thing is to be patient and gentle with yourself. You have to give it time, and above all, don't forget to breathe between diaper changes.

How do you get through it (without going completely mad)?

Here's some practical advice to help you weather the storm:

• Take care of yourself, even if it's hard: Between bottles and diapers, you need to find moments for yourself. A little hot bath, a walk around the block, or even just 10 minutes with your phone to get lost in a funny meme - it all counts. It's not selfish, it's essential.

• Don't be hard on yourself: If you feel like crying or getting upset over nothing, know that it's normal. Hormones and emotions get in the way, but that doesn't make you a bad mother. Someone once said to me, “Don't forget that a mother is also a person.” That really resonated with me.

• Ask for help and accept it: If someone offers to help you, don't say no. Whether it's for an evening's respite, bringing you a coffee or babysitting for an hour, it feels good. You're not supposed to handle everything on your own. The emotional rollercoaster of postpartum can sometimes be hard to manage. If you feel too overwhelmed, if the sadness lasts more than a few days, or if you feel you're losing yourself a little too much, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor. You could be experiencing post-partum depression, and there's nothing shameful about that. On the contrary, asking for help is a sign of courage.

• Movement and a balanced diet: Getting moving (even if it's just a short walk and provided you've had the ok from your doc/physio) and eating balanced meals will help you recover faster. You don't have to run a marathon, but a little exercise every day will help you feel better about your body.

• Listen to your body: Don't rush to get back to your “old body”. The time it will take you to heal and adapt to this new reality is perfectly normal. Take things one step at a time. Your body took 9 months to build a human being, so give it time to recover.

In conclusion: it's going to be okay!

If you're in the middle of it, just breathe. Yes, postpartum can be a roller-coaster, but it's also a period that eventually passes, leading you to a new version of yourself. A version that's stronger, more patient (we hope!), and full of love for your little bundle of joy.

And above all, remember: you're not alone. Every mother goes through this, and in the end, it's the greatest gift of all that awaits you: your child. As long as you remember to breathe, ask for help when you need it and give yourself a little break (even 5 minutes is enough), you'll be fine. Remember: You gave birth, you can face anything! So, for all the moms who are going through this intense time, keep hope alive, take care of yourself and don't forget that you're incredible. Every day, you do your best, and that's already so beautiful.