Every mother in the world can agree that those first few moments you get with your new born are euphoric. It’s so hard not to get caught up in taking on your new role as “super mom” now that pregnancy and labor are over, the fun really begins. I remember when Lincoln was born I must have held him for 3 hours straight before letting anyone else touch him. The nurses urged me to try and get sleep while he slept but I couldn’t. I was more content watching him sleep, making sure he was okay than catching up on all the energy I lost during labor. When we brought him home I was in full force mommy mode. I loved every minute of everything; bath time, diaper changes, lack of sleep, poop explosions, spit ups.. all of it. I could not get enough of this baby! It truly felt like my whole word revolved around this tiny human and I didn’t mind it one bit. This was so much so, it started to affect my relationship with not only Travis but our families as well. I was so consumed by motherhood that I didn’t care about anything else. Which wasn’t good for me or Lincoln. I rarely complained, I was more than happy to run myself to the ground taking care of this baby even though I was fully equipped with support from loved ones.
Fast forward to my second pregnancy and labor with Theo, it was the polar opposite with the same amount of obsession. When Theo was placed on my chest I held him for all of 11 minutes before handing him off to his dad. I was tired, and I was in a lot of pain. Those first few days at home, I tried to do it all myself. I figured this is my job and it’s the BEST job.. I should be able to do this! I still enjoyed bath time, diaper changes, lack of sleep, poop explosions and spit up but I quickly learned that things were different this time. Truth is, life got harder with two kids only being 22 months apart. I was a lot more fatigued, I wasn’t healing properly and not nearly as quickly, I was less patient, I wasn’t eating enough to provide a good supply for Theo and I was spread way thin to a point where postpartum anxiety took effect. I neglected myself and wasn’t thinking about what was best for my family. Then I realized, I don’t have to do this on my own, and I shouldn’t! I’m blessed with amazing and supportive friends and family that adore our kids as much as we do. It’s a beautiful thing learning to accept the help that is offered. It didn’t make me any less of a mom, but a better one. I was able to prioritize the needs of both children and my own along with Travis too. It helped us build stronger and more solid relationships with our families and each other.
If you’re like me, accepting help is hard. I’ve been stubborn my whole life and I didn’t plan to stop now, It almost felt as though a certain amount of failure came with that acceptance but that’s NOT true. Think of it in this case; before taking off in an airplane there’s an announcement that plays aloud explaining important safety precautions for all passengers and those travelling with some who need extra assistance. If the cabin pressure changes, masks will drop, and you are urged to put your mask on first before helping someone else put theirs on. Why? Because you cannot help someone else if you don’t help yourself first. I was no good to my children when I was suffocating and struggling to survive because of my pride. First off let me start by saying labor is HARD work and monumentally demanding. Like I mentioned above, even if you have the high it’s more than likely you’ll be so incredibly exhausted, sore, drained and emotional. What doesn’t help, is the food that the hospital typically provides that’s lacking in the proper aid for postpartum recovery. I was often asked what my first meal was going to be post baby as if they were expecting me to say sushi, a big glass of wine, an extra large coffee, a wheel of brie cheese and a whole can of tuna. I will say, girl you just pushed entire being out of your lady bits… You drink that coffee and make yourself a brie cheese and tuna fish sandwich if that’s what your heart desires. However, if you do find or anticipate a lengthy stay in the hospital it may not be a bad idea to ask a friend or family member to bring some nutrient rich snacks for you the charge up on.
Food is medicine, but it’s also not the be all end all. Sleep is important, being active is important, taking time for yourself is important. Eating right can certainly improve your chances for a speedy recovery and I do think that every mom should make it a priority solely because it WILL make you feel better. I noticed significant changes in my energy when I started taking the time to eat enough of the right foods to fuel my body to help keep up with my crazy kids. Don’t get me wrong, to this day I struggle sometimes. But you know what? that’s life. Just remember, those tired and groggy mornings that come along with sleepless nights can be assisted by some simple de-stressing exercises and a (for the most part) well balanced diet.
SO if you or someone you know is expecting a bundle of joy please take into account these two tips for surviving the postpartum high and making sure you have a thriving and healthy recovery,
- Help and let yourself heal. Giving birth whether it be vaginal or via C-section, you will be sore! Remember that you’re recovering from a major life event and must wait the suggested amount of time before returning to any sort of activity. What will help with this mentally and emotionally? accept the help girl! let your family come and clean for you, let them fill your freezer with meals and entertain the kids so you can shower. What will help with this nutritionally? Vitamins A. C. E and zinc are known to help repair damaged tissues so make sure your diet is rich in foods with these! Sources include:
Vitamin A– Liver, cod liver oil, king mackerel, salmon and goat cheese.
Vitamin C – Broccoli, brussel sprouts, red peppers and spinach.
Vitamin E – Almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds and green leafy vegetables.
Zinc – Meat, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy and whole grains.
- Stock up for your special nutrient needs. Giving birth as we already mentioned is very physically demanding. Leading up to birth all of those vital nutrients we stored up to prepare for this event have been transfered to your baby to prepare THEM for the outside world. It is vital to make sure your are taking in enough of the Essential Fatty Acid, DHA to promote healthy brain development for your baby but also for you. If you don’t, research shows you are more likely to develop Postpartum Depression. The physical act of giving birth also leaves us depleting in these vitamins and minerals: Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B, A, C, E, Calcium and Magnesium. Vitamin A will help with bruising, wound healing and restore your abdomen, uterus and vagina to their former size. Vitamin C will help improve skin elasticity and the contraction of skin across the abdomen. Keep in mind, Vitamin C plays a very important role in the absorption of Iron as well. Sources include:
Vitamin B– Asparagus, whole grains, avocado, and eggs.
Calcium– Seeds, sardines, yogurt, beans, lentils and almonds.
Magnesium – Green leafy vegetables, cacao, figs, avocado, asparagus and legumes.
Iron – Green leafy vegetables, lentils and beans. red meats, nuts and seeds and dried foods.
Do you have anymore questions about postpartum recovery? comment below!