How long is Postpartum?

When women who have preschool kids or teenager kids reach out to me for core and pelvic floor advice, they are often surprised to hear that I recommend following my Better Body after Baby program (core rehab). They don’t think they are “postpartum” anymore. But what does being postpartum really mean?

different Postpartum periods

It seems that everyone has a different definition of what the postpartum period is.

Some say it's a mere 6 weeks, while others stretch it out to 9 months, 3 years, 6 years, and even beyond – forever!

Let’s delve into these different postpartum windows:

+ Postpartum is 6 weeks long

This window is know as "sacred period" in traditonal cultures. In these early weeks, the emphasis is on the remarkable healing process and deep emotional adjustments. Our body begins to heal and adjust to not being pregnant:

  • Our uterus gradually returns to pre-pregnancy size.
  • Our abdominal organs gradually find their place within the abdominal cavity after having been rearranged during pregnancy,
  • Our incisions heal (episiotomies, tearing, or c-section)
  • The ab midline recovery naturally occurs during these first few weeks, and then plateaus.
  • Our body adjusts to changes in milk production and breastfeeding.
  • We undergo a huge hormonal shift, especially in estrogen and progesterone levels.
  • We transition emotionally and mentally into our new motherhood role.

Note that the optimum time to start healing our core is during these first few weeks after delivery. By doing the right exercises and giving your body what it needs, the ab separation is more likely to heal naturally in this window - regardless of the way we give birth.

+ Postpartum is 9 months long

You may have heard that "it takes 9 months to grow a baby, and it takes 9 months to recover”. While this saying provides a helpful perspective to manage expectations, we also need to recognize that recovery timelines vary. Some aspects of postpartum recovery often extend beyond the nine-month mark.

The body continues its remarkable and gradual process of healing and renewal during this time:

  • Our uterine ligaments have mostly healed from pregnancy and birth.
  • Our strength keeps improving.
  • Those who have followed a core rehab program have often progressively resumed their favorite activities (like yoga or running).
  • Emotionally, we’ve started to adapt to motherhood's evolving demands and joys.

+ Postpartum is 3 years long

By the time kids enter pre-school, mothers are often more able to regain pockets of time during their days.

This transition offers an opportunity for self-care. This is a time when I often see mothers navigate concerns such as diastasis recti, core strength, and pelvic floor health.

  • Our connective tissue (like the linea alba) regains its strength and elasticity over the course of 18 months to 3 years for (IF we are being proactive to support this healing with exercise, nutrition and alignment)
  • Our hormonal fluctuations have progressively stabilized. On average, breastfeeding in the US spans about 6 months to 1 year, then it takes another 6 months to 1 year for our hormones to readjust after we stop breastfeeding (or even longer if hormones aren't supported with proper sleep and nutrition).
  • Nutrient and mineral stores that were depleted during pregnancy takes approximately 3 years to rebuild.

No wonder why many traditional cultures recommend the ideal child spacing of 3 years!

+ Postpartum is 6 years long

As children become more independent and embrace elementary school routines, mothers are presented with more space and time that invites them to reconnect with their interests and passions from before motherhood - be it engaging in fitness routines, reestablishing social connections, or reigniting career ambitions.

This phase represents a significant reconnection with the person we were before becoming mothers.

  • The cumulative effects of ongoing exercise and our body's natural healing processes can lead to more significant improvements in overall strength, which, in turn, can positively influence our posture and stability.
  • With more sleep and fewer demands on our time, we often experience a renewed sense of energy.
  • Our identity often expands to include more personal pursuits beyond caregiving as our child becomes more self-sufficient.

On a personal note, I did feel a huge shift in my energy levels and in the way I felt in my body once my youngest turned 6 years old.

+ Postpartum is for Life!

Emphasizing that postpartum is a lifelong experience underscores that the physical, psychological, and emotional changes endured during pregnancy and childbirth have a lasting impact.

  • Fetal chimerism: Picture this: cells from our growing baby make their way through the placenta and find a home within us! These cells stick around for decades!
  • Neurologically: Changes in brain structure and function have occured, helping us process the flood of sensory experiences that come with motherhood.
  • Physically: Our body is a canvas of memories. From the shape of our breasts, vulva, cervix to the scars of potential C-section, episiotomy, tear, stretchmarks… It's a roadmap of the incredible journey we undertook! Even our bone structure can be imprinted (wider feet, hips, rib flare, etc…)
  • Psychologically: Motherhood isn't just a phase; it's a transformation. When a baby is born, so is a mother! It's like we're discovering a new part of ourselves, marked by moments of tenderness, vulnerability, and the fierce love that defines being a mom.
  • Emotionally: the love, worry, and connection to our child endures, continually influencing our thoughts and feelings.

So, how long is postpartum really?

The postpartum journey is not confined to a specific number of weeks or months; rather, it unfolds across distinct phases, each offering unique insights into a mother's healing, growth, and evolution.

In recent years, a cultural shift has been witnessed — an encouraging departure from the "bounce back" mentality. So, if you find you are suffering from pelvic floor and core dysfunction, know that it’s NEVER too late to start the healing and restrengthening!

Postpartum is not just a phase; it's a lifetime of transformation!

Are you ready to take advantage of the training options I offer?