Caring for yourself is crucial, especially through this new set of transitions – you may find yourself leaning on supports and structures that served you in the first few months postpartum. Below are some prompts that may guide you in understanding if you need more support, and what that could look like for you and your family.

• What are the support channels and structures that held you appropriately in your postpartum journey so far?
• Were you able to have time with yourself? What wellness were you able to access that was supportive?
• Were you able to access time in your intimate partnership(s) and relationship(s)? For many, this is the time when some parents have their first clunky date and/or  first vacation together and it can highlight how this is a new version of your relationship. How can you give yourself grace as you have clunky and vulnerable moments?
• How is the outer parenting world affecting you and your perception of yourself in it? Are you able to seek support throughout?  There is so much pressure to do – and be the best at – parenting, as opposed to just inherently being a parent and having a relationship with your child(ren).
• How has your mental health been as you navigate the transitions of parenting? Is there anything you can do to bolster it, as parenting calls on you more?
• As sleep deprivation continues to be a part of your postpartum journey, – especially having more of an opportunity to sleep, when you haven’t for a few months – how can you support yourself in re-learning how to sleep properly while parenting?

Pregnancy recovery includes physical strain from slowly growing your baby, to the depletion of your resources – which is still occurring as you feed, and care for your babies’. For some, this recovery and depletion can manifest as memory disturbances, lethargy, and/or physical impacts, such as tooth/gum decay (your dental hygiene appointments are crucial during this time) – not taking care of this recovery can lead to hormonal, nutritional, and emotional disturbances that can greatly affect your day to day life. This is one of the reasons that it’s recommended to continue taking your prenatal vitamins, resting when you are able (and your body asks it of you) and creating structure to allow yourself to gather the nourishment you need, as often as you can. Nourishment can look and feel differently to all folks, especially accessing such resources. Your needs will vary based on your specific pregnancy and birth – your care providers can help you assess what those may be, and connect you to local resources.

Beginning with uncovering your depletion is usually the first step, you can do so by getting a blood work panel drawn, a physical examination and emotional/mental assessment. Then, you can decide what targeted healing you’d like to craft to heal each aspect. Below are some typical focuses for pregnancy recovery:

Restoration and balance of your internal stores – such as your iron, vitamins, hormones.

Diastasis recti – which is the continued separation of your abdominal muscles, beyond their intended need to in pregnancy. It is a condition that affects a large portion that have carried a pregnancy. Usually folks get diagnosed at their 6 week check-up/final visit with their care provider(s), and may be able to be spotted by you as it can cause you to look pregnant beyond the expected timeline.

• The physical effects can range from back pain, heaviness in your pelvic floor, constipation to urinary incontinence. It can make daily activities harder to accomplish, and more uncomfortable. Becoming more of a concern as parents look further into their parenting future, and imagine lifting/ carrying and playing with older children.
• It is most often dealt with in the first year postpartum, and has a wide range of expected and common healing time – from 6 weeks to 12 months, and while it may take time – it can usually be reversed relatively easily. In relationship to the rest of you, it can impede healing and cause discomfort in tandem with other physical imbalances – such as pelvic floor instability, such as prolapse and/or incontinence. 
• Pelvic floor physio, a physical therapist, body work and targeted movements can support healing throughout the first year postpartum. As you begin healing, a support belt may also provide stability, and relief.

Parenthood requires adapting to new demands while ensuring your personal well-being. It’s important to prioritize yourself (we know, it’s hard!) and seek the support you need to navigate this transition. Remember to be kind to yourself, lean on your support networks, and take proactive steps to ensure your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. By doing so, you can create a nurturing and balanced environment for both yourself and your family. Embrace the journey with grace and compassion, knowing that taking care of yourself is an integral part of being the best parent you can be.