This one thing may delay you feeling "normal" again after baby.
After having a baby there is all the talk about getting back to normal.
What is normal really?
Why is it so important to get back to anyway?
After having two children and working with countless new moms I'm here to tell you,
You're never going to normal again, and it's okay!
Normal is over rated.
Normal can be boring.
You, mama, are anything but over rated and boring.
You are wonderfully unique!
Let's embrace your non-normalcy.
If what you seek; however is feeling connected and in control of your body after having your baby, then that is a WHOLE other story.
Pregnancy and birth can be a joyous, unpredictable, whirlwind of a time. Your body changes so much that it can be hard for your systems to keep up.
Leaving you feeling disconnected and out of control of basic functions, like holding in pee when you sneeze.
I get it if that is what you mean by normal.
Of course you want to feel in control of you body again.
And over the next year after baby is born your body will naturally find it's way through healing and for the most part you'll feel normal.
Unfortunately, this is not the case for every mom, for various reasons.
Birth injury, medical interventions, csection, episiotomy, epiderals, long labors and pushing, really quick labors, these different factors play a role in how long your body will heal.
Not to mention all your past injuries and habits.
But the one thing that I've seen as a common thread despite the type of birth, injuries etc is breastfeeding.
After delivery your estrogen levels plummet. Then remain low if you breastfeed.
Why does this matter?
Estrogen plays a large role is tissue function, especially in your nether regions.
Just think a mini menopause after delivery, dry, thin, weak, itchy vagina (though really your vulva but you get the idea).
When this happens the pelvic floor doesn't function 100%.
And this can last the whole time you breastfeed.
I experienced it with my daughter. I breastfeed for 2 years, about 3-4 months after stopping, I felt like a different woman.
Now, I'm not telling you to stop breastfeeding, heck my little guy is nurse sleeping as I type. Only you and your baby can set the timeline.
But be aware that some of what you are experiencing with pelvic floor dysfunction or how your feeling may be partially due to low estrogen from breastfeeding.
Once I tell my patients this I usually see a wave of relief. That no you aren't crazy, yes you're doing everything you can do to mitigate the symptoms your having.
So I ask again, what is normal? Do you really want to be normal or just in control again of your body?
If you want help finding your normal reach out to me by setting up a free consult call. We'll figure out your next step together!