After 5 babies, there is one fact I can tell you with immense assurity: your body will never be the same. For as quickly as we get caught up in the miracle of pregnancy and birth, sometimes what comes after can be too daunting to think about. There is certainly a cultural expectation to simply bounce back physically and mentally, but I want to be the one to tell you that postpartum recovery is a process and to give yourself time to get through it.
Start with Gratitude
With weight gain, limited sleep, new stretch marks, hair loss, and the seemingly millions of other little things that comes along with postpartum, it can be easy to get bogged down in the negative. There were many times when I wanted to just throw in the towel.
However, with God’s grace, I was able to shift my lens and gain a new perspective. What has become most important to me is to show my body gratitude for all that it has done. I try to start each day, not by thinking about what is “wrong” with my body, but instead by taking some time to recognize the 9 long months of creation it went through. I am a human being, and my body is a product of God’s work, not a rubberband expected to rebound at every pull. I had to show my body some reverence for growing a baby.
Make Self Care a Priority
I know you all have heard me say it before (it’s applicable in almost every situation!), but I will say it again: self-care is vital! Especially when recovering from postpartum. Showing yourself a little love goes a long way. For me this comes in the form of scheduling time for myself in our family routine. I make it a point to workout at least 3 times a week and watch a TV show (all the way through with no interruptions). It gives me a chance to reset and focus solely on myself. If you make time for yourself, you will have more to give in the long run. Remember, you cannot give from an empty cup, especially as a mother and a wife.
Affirmations and Rewards
The work is going to be difficult, so make sure you build in some kindness along the way. I speak one or more affirmations to myself in the mirror each morning and I make sure to recognize my daily growth, as small and minute as that may be. I also set milestones and when I reach them, I reward myself with something extra special. This reward may look like a visit to the spa or a new outfit. It’s important to not only hold yourself accountable, but to celebrate your successes along the way.
Think About Moving Forward
Having a baby is one of the most miraculous experiences. There is nothing quite like transitioning into being a mom (even on those sleepless nights and on your 800th load of laundry). It’s important to remember your body will now reflect some of that transition. It’s wonderful to have a goal weight in mind, or a pair of pants you’re eager to get back into. But please remember to give yourself some leniency and look forward to what your body is now, rather than focusing on how it used to be.
It is important to start by speaking kindness over yourself. Proverbs 18: 21 (NKJV) says Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Therefore, it is pivotal we speak life over our bodies, positive affirmation over our minds, and control the words that come out of our mouths about who we are and what we are capable of doing.
Lastly, I will also say one thing I have learned to do is accept help from family, friends, and/or caregivers. It is okay to call for a helping hand, or two, or three. Most of all, celebrate all that you are and all that your family has now become.
0 Comments