by Ronda from Michigan
Let me start off by saying there is absolutely nothing wrong with you.
Everything you’re feeling or experiencing is completely normal. You’re recovering from giving birth, so don’t be so hard on yourself. That’s what I’ve learned after giving birth to my second child. My second delivery was completely different from my first. The recovery time took longer, and having a newborn and a one year old was difficult for me.
After giving birth to my first child, recovery was a breeze.
I was able to sleep when he slept. I would nurse him, and he would go right back to sleep which left me with a little time to shower, eat, read a few pages from my book and most importantly take in being a new mom. My husband pretty much did all the cooking, so I was able to relax more and focus on mental and physical healing.
With my second child, I dislocated my pelvic bone while giving birth and that made recovery a nightmare for me.
I was in constant pain and could hardly sit down or lay flat on my back. Having a one year old to look after while caring for a newborn was no easy task. The boys were on two completely different sleeping and eating schedules. When one went down, the other was up. Nursing was the absolute worst. My son had a death grip, so much so he popped my milk valve and I pumped blood out for a week. After nursing one, I had to make lunch for the other. All on top of cooking dinner, doing laundry, and picking up after the kids.
We are business owners, and my husband wasn’t able to take time off and help me around the house like he was able to the first time. I literally cried every day for the first three months.
I could not understand why this go-round was completely different from the first.
And on top of all that - we were in the middle of a pandemic, and family help was non-existent. I knew something had to change. It wasn't healthy for myself or my children to be depressed and in pain all day long.
I started off by getting some weight off by changing what I ate. When you look better you feel better. I began physical therapy to get me back on track and strengthen my pelvic floor. At least once a week I would take a bath. I would soak for at least one hour with smooth music playing and a candle lit. I could browse the internet looking at home decor or new recipes - whatever made me happy in that moment I was able to do.
Slowly, I began to work my way back to a better, healthier, and happier me. I’m still taking one day at a time.
This blog was written by one of our guest bloggers, Ronda.
About Ronda. . .
Hello, My name is Ronda, and I am from Michigan. I am a wife and mother of two little boys ages three and one.
I look forward to reading and sharing ideas.
Check out Ronda's other blog post:
Postpartum recovery takes time. Ronda shared some great self-care tips. Check out our free category titled Pregnancy And Baby's First 6 Months which includes many lessons on the postpartum period. Find it on wichealth.org.
