Postpartum Reality

Alright it's time to get real here on this blog and talk about what no one else does...postpartum. I mean I was prepared to have my world rocked but holy nipples...there are a lot of things I wasn't prepared for. Let's talk...

1. NIPPLES

I was told by my sister to "rough up my nipples in the shower with a washcloth" prior to the little ones arrival. What I wasn't really prepared for was that she was dead serious. I would have needed to take a sandblaster to them to prepare me for the days following birth. Breastfeeding is no joke. In the beginning it's painful (I am talking toe curling, body racking sobs) my nipples cracked, bled, I lost the top layer of skin (twice). I went to the store to buy soothies, washable pads anything that would help. Sadly the only thing that helps is TIME. You will get there I promise but days 1-14 are trying.
9CldALP

2. Down Nether

If you read my labor story you saw that I had a relatively easy go at labor. Which is 100% due to the epidural, however when you have an epidural you also lose feeling when it comes to push time. So I did have some minor stitches along with some other inconveniences. Now this wasn't too awful (thank you ibuprofen and Norco) however once you arrive home it sure is. So on top of your nipples bleeding and you wanting to cry every time you see your child is hungry...well you also have to deal with pain where the sun don't shine. The good news is that (for me at least) it was the first thing to feel better and relatively quickly. (Padsicles and numbing spray are two great things to have at home).

3. Emotions/Hormones

Well I have always been a pretty emotive person but now that I am post birth the water works come on a lot easier and quicker. I have cried over some ridiculous stuff and in the moment I know I am being ridiculous but at the same time I just have to let it out. Your husband may Google things about you...take that with a grain of salt.

4. Sleep Deprivation

Babies have their time backwards - as in sleep all day, party all night. This has you running on about four hours of sleep (if you're lucky). One day when P was about 8 days old I thought I was ready to head out of the house with her. She had been up every single hour the night before but my sister was in town and I wanted to push around my fancy stroller. So my parents came to my house and from there we walked to the outdoor mall. Once we were inside Macy's I felt like a zombie, like I was floating next to my body watching someone else's life. It was actually kind of scary as I was beginning to feel very light headed and faint. We sat down at a Starbucks for about 45 minutes and then I decided it was time to head back home. When I got home I pumped as much as I could for David and then proceeded to fall asleep from 3pm to 11pm. I woke up with rock hard boobs, but well rested. I learned that day not to overdo it.

5. Your body

I don't have too many complaints in this department but I also haven't tried to wear any of my normal shorts or pants. I'll get back to you when I am brave enough to discover I don't fit into anything.
This seems like a downer post but I am just trying to keep it real with other mama's. After the baby comes it is a tough adjustment. Neither one of you quite know what you're doing yet and that paired with pain doesn't make things any easier.

I don't know what I would have done without my fellow mamas. To my girls at home and my blogging ladies you have helped me so much with encouraging advice. My sisters acting like lactation coaches and Google. My goodness what would I do without Google? But most of all my most incredible help has been David. What a world of difference it makes having a husband who tells you everyday you're doing a great job - even if you feel clueless at times.

And now 19 days in to this whole parenting thing I can say this. Everyday gets easier, everyday gets better and everyday I am so happy that I was chosen to be P's mama.

*Postpartum will obviously be different for everyone but this is my experience with it. If you find yourself having unsafe thoughts or baby blues that last longer than two weeks please reach out to your doctor for advice*

28 comments

  1. Eek, I'm so nervous about all of this! So glad you shared your experience though! I'm glad to hear you are feeling better!! Any specific products you recommend?

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  2. I appreciate when people are REAL about what motherhood is like...I have a friend that gives it to me straight so I've heard all of this before. I'd much rather be prepared than live in some fantasy world where my baby is born, I look like a perfect 10, and rainbows are shining all over my house. That being said, as much as I appreciate the reality check, it scares the crap out of me! Especially the nipple part...mine are super sensitive to begin with so I am terrified of the pain that comes with breastfeeding. Glad to hear things are getting easier!

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  3. I too appreciate your "real" post - thankfully my sister went through very much of the same with her first baby and she explained in detail everything I have to look forward to one day - honestly my biggest fear is the epidural - I'm so scared that the shot goes into your spine...

    You're rocking this mommy thing and she is absolutely precious in the photos on insta!!

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  4. "Rough up your nipples in the shower with a washcloth", love that haha! I agree, I'd much rather have it straight and go into postpartum with realistic expectations. Glad you're getting into a groove and things are getting easier! It's crazy what just time will do.

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  5. Wow!! Thanks for the very REAL post!! I've kinda been thinking about having a little one in the (not real near lol) future......this is scary though!!

    Your little Miss Presley is so adorable!

    Love reading your blog! (And keeping up with the IG pics also!)

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  6. Ugh! :((
    I chose not to breastfeed after an experience in the hospital so I think my experience was totally different. There's a lot of pressure to do it and IT'S HARD and makes things more challenging from what I have ntoiced. Also, my husband took 7 1/2 weeks paternity leave. The only thing I dealt with that was awful was the pain down under. I soaked in the bath 2x's a day for weeks. I wish I had brought that sitz bath home.
    Hang in there!

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  7. Postpartum is no joke- I just remember being in a fog and thinking there was no end in site. The sleep deprivation is no joke, you think because you pulled a few all nighters in college you can do it but nothing prepares you!! Glad to hear your feeling better, just like you said it gets easier and different everyday!!

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  8. Glad to hear that you're feeling better! I always look forward to your posts. This one was refreshing! It seems like you're doing great!!

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  9. Haha - can relate to it ALL! So happy to hear you are adjusting - it will get easier (& different) ALL of the time!!!! XO

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  10. You're doing great mama! So happy for you :)

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  11. You're doing awesome! And I truly appreciate your openness and honesty for those of us thinking about going down that path soon!

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  12. It does get easier each day. The first delivery is the most difficult to recover from too. It's your body's first time going through everything. Take it one day at a time and enjoy the comfy clothes while you can :)

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  13. You're doing great and thank you for sharing this stuff, I think we all definitely appreciate the honest truth. One day, I'll decided it's baby time haha, I'll keep this stuff in mind :) PS- your daughter, absolutely stunning!

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  14. I love your honesty although I fear for these things! Lol. Keep up the hard work pretty mamma!!!!!! :)

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  15. hang in there!! it's great that you have a wonderful support system and hopefully your bod will start feeling better soon! xoxo jillian

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  16. Can I just say how happy I am that you wrote a post about this!? I love, "your husband may Google things about you... take that with a grain of salt." ha ha ha. Happy to hear that padsicles work wonders because I just made myself a few.

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  17. I love the honesty and humor in this post! I hope your nipples are on the mend! I always heard that nursing shouldn't be painful, so if it keeps being that way you could always get Presley's latch checked. Lip ties and tongue ties are extremely common and make breastfeeding hurt like a beast!

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  18. You know, it's actually really refreshing to hear someone be completely honest about their postpartum and the reality of it all. I feel like most people just say how wonderful it is, which obviously it is the most incredible thing ever. I do remember my sisters first days home from the hospital, they were rough to say the least. I think your honesty will probably help and comfort all of those new moms out there. Sounds like David is right, you are doing a great job. :)

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  19. hahahaha! These gifs are killing me! Oh mama - seriously, there was so much I never would have known about if not for online mama friends and still things I wasn't prepared for. Umm... don't watch Juno late at night because you'll end up a huge blubbering mess. The nipples - I couldn't believe how much crap I bought for them - I had a basket of boobie essentials. lol Crazy as it may sound right now though, I really do miss those first few weeks. In the blink of an eye, you'll be through this phase and actually miss it a little. Well, at least I do. Each mom's different.

    xx Viv at JoieDeViv

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  20. Ahhh congrats mama and welcome to the club!! You sound like you are figuring out all the lovely things that everyone tells you but you never really understand until going through it - quite well. She is a doll...enjoy this time!

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  21. Girl, real or not this is so helpful! I bookmark these posts every chance I get! You go Mama!! xoxo

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  22. I can't remember if I commented on this or not. I think I thought about and then I'm sure I got side-tracked by Little Miss ... I'm pretty sure I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached these days. Love that you kept it real! I'm super happy that we've managed to meet and go through this struggle together ... I probably would've been even more of a hot mess than I already was if I hadn't had somebody who knew exactly what I was going through. :) Can't wait to see what our futures hold with our little ladies!

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  23. GIRL, sometimes you just gotta keep it real.
    And I'll be coming to you when I get pregnant for all of the nitty gritty info that no one else will tell me ;)

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  24. I love reading your blog! Your writing is poignant and honest, with just the right touch of humor. I am so proud to have you as a daughter-in-law!! Guess Who!!!!

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  25. Love this! Thanks for keeping it real. I definitely appreciate knowing what's really coming and being as prepared as I can be instead of living in la la land.

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  26. I hope you start feeling better soon! It's definitely uncomfortable in the beginning, but it does get better! I don't even think I can feel my nipples anymore :-)

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  27. I don't have kiddos yet, but I'm going to be so thankful that I read this when I do!! lol

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