Postpartum recovery isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every woman’s journey is deeply personal, shaped by how we birth, our support systems, our bodies, and how we heal—physically and emotionally. In this post, I’m opening up about my own recovery. It’s not a guidebook or expert advice—just the honest truth of what it looked and felt like for me after bringing life into the world.
We often hear that postpartum is the “fourth trimester,” but that phrase never fully prepared me for the shifts that came after delivery. The womb that cradled life for nearly ten months doesn’t just return to normal overnight. Healing isn’t instant—it’s layered, sometimes painful, and often emotional.
Both of my babies came at 39 weeks, and with each delivery, I had to slowly unlearn the idea of “bouncing back.” My body had done something extraordinary. Expecting it to snap back to its old form immediately felt unfair and unrealistic. We deserve grace, not pressure.
My First Delivery: The Things No One Tells You
I had a perineal tear during my first delivery, and while the midwife stitched me up, I remember lying there, mind racing with worry:
Will I feel the same again? Will I look the same?
I couldn’t even bring myself to look at my vagina—it felt foreign, tender, and raw. The sight and sensation of it made me uncomfortable in my own skin. No one warned me about the emotional disconnect I might feel with my body.
I also regretted not using the toilet before going into labor. Passing stool after childbirth? One of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever experienced. And the gas? Let’s just say it had a smell that could knock someone out—like a canal! It sounds funny now, but in those moments, it was far from it.
Then there were the stitches. I feared the day they’d be removed… only to learn they were dissolvable. By week two, the pain eased, and I was already beginning to feel slightly more like myself again—even if I didn’t look it yet.
After giving birth, my tummy felt… strange. Almost like there was too much space inside me. My insides felt like they were shifting, floating, trying to find a new balance. It was weird, disorienting even. But I kept it to myself because I didn’t know how to explain it—and honestly, I wasn’t sure it was “normal.”
Interestingly, I didn’t experience that same sensation after my second child. That reminded me: even in the same body, no two postpartum recoveries are ever quite alike.
First Birth vs. Second Birth: Two Different Roads
After my first baby, I bounced back weight-wise pretty fast. I was on my feet constantly—walking, moving, adjusting to new motherhood. With my second, everything was slower. I wasn’t moving as much. My energy was lower. My body took its time—and so did I.
Even my period returned on two completely different schedules. Six months postpartum with my first; nearly a full year with my second. Same body, different stories.
Today, my tummy isn’t flat, and that’s okay. It has softened, shifted, but it’s also held life. Twice. Some days I look in the mirror and miss the old me. But more and more, I’m starting to love this version too—the one that survived pregnancy, labor, recovery, and everything in between.
Motherhood has shown me just how strong and adaptable our bodies truly are. Healing may be slow, but it’s steady. Gentle. Ongoing.
Wherever you are in your postpartum journey, I hope you remember this: Your body is not broken. It is rebuilding. Honor it. Speak kindly to it. Be patient with it.
Category: Motherhood, Parenting, Finding You in Marriage
And for my C-Section Mamas! I didn’t have a C-section, so I can’t speak for that experience firsthand. But I’ve walked closely with friends who have. Their recovery? A different kind of tough—dealing with stitches from surgery, limited mobility, and a whole other layer of healing. It’s not “easier” or “harder.” It’s just different. And it’s valid.
So, if you have been through or going through postpartum recovery? What parts surprised you? What helped you heal? I’d love to hear your story. Let’s open up the conversation, support one another, and remind every mama out there that she’s not alone in this.
My name is Omolola Oyedele (@mediagirlie.lola on socials)—a mother, a wife, a woman, and your biggest cheerleader on this journey. Motherhood isn’t always easy, but you’re never alone. I’ll be here, rooting for you always. Until next time, mama!
QUIZ TIME - What Surprised You Most Since Becoming a New Mom?
- What aspect of motherhood did you find most surprising?
- Which unexpected change in your lifestyle did you experience?
- Which part of your daily routine changed the most after becoming a mom?
Have fun figuring out the answers and we would love to see those answers! So, send in your answers RIGHT HERE and if you have more questions, feel free to send them our way! This will always be a No judgement zone for you Mama.
