Author: Shari Stamps
Giving birth is a monumental event. Whether your experience is full of euphoria, exhaustion, or a bit of both, everyone talks about the baby registry — but not enough people talk about what happens to you after delivery. Despite all the prenatal checklists and baby gear must-haves, postpartum recovery is one of the most overlooked aspects of childbirth preparation. Here’s what no one prepares you for after birth, and more importantly, how to get ahead of it.
1- You Might End Up in the ER After Birth:
One of the harshest realities many new parents face is the possibility of an unexpected postpartum emergency. From hemorrhaging and blood clots to intense pelvic pain and high blood pressure, complications can arise long after you’re discharged from the hospital. It’s essential to recognize that postpartum symptoms can shift quickly from normal to urgent.
How to Get Ahead:
- Learn what red flags to look for postpartum: heavy bleeding, chest pain, extreme swelling, high fever, or vision changes.
- Keep your postpartum paperwork handy and your doctor’s number saved in your phone.
- Don’t second-guess your instincts. If something feels off, seek medical attention.
2- Postpartum Bathroom Woes Are Real:
Going to the bathroom after birth can feel like a battlefield. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, the first few bowel movements can be painful or even terrifying. Constipation, hemorrhoids, and perineal soreness are common but rarely talked about.
How to Get Ahead:
- Start taking stool softeners right after delivery (ask your provider for a safe option).
- Stock up your postpartum bathroom on a peri bottle, witch hazel pads, and a sitz bath.
- Hydrate and eat fiber-rich meals to support digestion.
3- Postpartum Gas Is No Joke:
It’s not glamorous, but gas and bloating after birth can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially in the first few days postpartum. Trapped gas is especially common after a C-section but can affect anyone, thanks to the shift in abdominal organs and the slowing of digestion.
How to Get Ahead:
- Gentle movement, like walking, can help get things moving.
- Belly massage (clockwise motion) may offer some relief.
- Herbal teas, such as ginger or peppermint, may help ease bloating.
4- You Won’t Feel Like Cooking:
Between feeding your baby, healing your body, and trying to sleep, cooking a meal may feel like climbing Everest. But your recovery depends on nourishing, healing foods—not cereal bars and coffee (though those have their place too!).
How to Get Ahead:
- Prepare frozen meals during pregnancy that you can reheat easily.
- Consider a postpartum meal delivery service that specializes in nutrient-rich, warming foods.
- Ask friends or family to contribute to a meal train instead of baby clothes.
5- Postpartum Recovery Takes Longer Than 6 Weeks:
While your 6-week postpartum checkup may mark the official “cleared” point, your body and mind may still be healing for months. Hormones continue to shift, muscles are rebuilding, and mental health can ebb and flow. The idea that you’ll “bounce back” by six weeks is a myth.
How to Get Ahead:
- Give yourself permission to rest and recover on your timeline.
- Seek postpartum support from a doula, therapist, pelvic floor specialist, and craniosacral therapist.
- Set boundaries to protect your rest and emotional space.
About the Author: Shari Stamps is a consultant, freelancer, podcaster, and the founder of Navigating Parenthood, where she combines her expertise in postpartum, lactation, myofunctional therapy & airway, oral ties, craniosacral therapy, maternal mental health, and sleep & wellbeing to offer integrative wellness sessions, courses, and digital downloads to expecting and postpartum families. As a mom of 6, she’s always learning something new. Join the journey via social at @navigatingparenthood.