6 Week Postpartum Check Up

I recently had my six-week postpartum appointment and while I am feeling really good emotionally, I have some work to do before I will feel like myself physically. I’ve noticed that I have a really hard time getting up out of bed or off the couch and have been protecting my abs. I still roll to the side and don’t feel like my core is super stable. Also, (full-disclosure here) I have peed myself a few times walking down or up the stairs, which is rather uncomfortable and quite embarrassing. After consulting with my midwife, it turns out I have about a three-finger separation between my abs (aka. Diastasis Recti) and my pelvic floor, which doesn’t seem to be healing as well as it should either. What does this mean? Well, it means I get to start physical therapy for both issues next week! Oh boy!

I didn’t go through this with Winter, so it will definitely be a new experience for me. I often look at my postpartum body with gratitude and grace; while I thank it for giving me both my daughter and my son, I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I also have thoughts about wanting to look and feel “normal” again.

With Winter, I felt like it took me a solid year to feel like myself physically (emotionally, much longer). With Lennon, I feel so good emotionally and hope that with some help of the physical therapist, I will be well on my way to physical recovery. I am anxious to see what psychical therapy does for my body. I am ready to start working out again but don’t feel strong enough or even know where to begin. So for now, I will stick to walking and see what the therapist says.

Don’t you find it so fascinating what happens to women after pregnancy and birth? I still am so surprised by how much I am learning and still don’t know. From issues with nursing, ab separation, pelvic floor healing, and beyond, it can all be overwhelming. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to work with Traditional Medicinals, because in a state of healing, it's always wonderful to know about companies that provide support during the postpartum period.

To help my milk supply, I have been eating their organic Mother’s Milk Chocolate, Fruit and Nut Bars. It has herbs like fennel, anise, coriander and fenugreek that are all used to support breast milk production and lactation.* One bar holds the same plant power as three cups of Mother’s Milk tea--pretty good stuff. They also have these yummy Mother’s Milk Lemon Chews made with the same herbs as the bars. I pop them in my pockets and eat them while we are on the go. You can order their products on Amazon.

Let me know if you’ve have had any postpartum issues, whether it be with nursing, Diastasis Recti or with your pelvic floor. I think it’s important to know that we aren’t alone and that it can get better! #postpartumclub

 This post was sponsored by Traditional Medicinals. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 Photography by Kyla Fear