It's almost 2022. Modern medicine has come a long way in the last 50 years. And so have many social issues, especially for women. But why is there still a sense of taboo or faux pas to talk about certain women's health issues?
You'd think with everything graphic and sometimes vulgar we see in movies and TV shows now, people would be more open to discussing topics such as periods and childbirth. But nope. Unless it's with a doctor, most don't want to hear it because "eww".
So when the time came for me to have my 1st child, boy was I in for some surprises! Most people, especially women hear about labor, but not much is usually said about the fun stuff that happens after childbirth.
Yes, medical staff will discuss with you what to expect when it comes to postpartum bleeding, signs of infection to look out for, and even postpartum depression. But what about the other stuff?
My fellow mamas might already be having flashbacks and "lovely" memories about what's to come.
Here are some lovely postpartum things I discovered are actually pretty common, but not discussed.
***"Men" reading this, I suggest you stop here if you aren't mature enough to handle discussions pertaining to what a woman naturally goes through after childbirth.
1. Hair Loss
Remember all that lovely, thick hair that came in while pregnant? Yeah, say bye-bye to that! Those first couple weeks after I gave birth, I honestly thought I was going to go bald every time I washed my hair. The amount of fall-out was ridiculous! I would clean up the shower floor and it would look like I was holding a rat because of how much hair was falling off.
While I didn't go completely bald, my hair definitely did thin out a lot. And I did have some patches that were more severe than others. However, after about a year it did start filling back in. Daily vitamins helped. And wearing headbands helped reduce the appearance of patches and baby hairs.
2. Night Chills
Night chills... or maybe I should call them the shakes. Oh my goodness. This is one absolutely no one warned me about. I had to Google it frantically to make sure I wasn't ill and had to call a doctor or something. Even my husband who is pretty nonchalant about things got kind of freaked out.
The first couple of nights postpartum, I would wake up in the middle of the night literally shaking with my teeth chattering. And no, I was not seizing or running a fever. My husband would touch my skin, and even though I was under blankets, I was cold to the touch. It was ridiculous.
A couple of times, I couldn't take it and hopped in the shower with the water blazing hot to try and warm-up, and then go back to bed dressed in layers. I didn't have an infection, so doctors told me it could have just been hormones. They didn't have any actual answers for this one.
3. Phantom Baby Cries
This one has to be mom anxiety mixed with sleep deprivation. Even seven months past my third baby, I'm still experiencing this one occasionally.
I'll wake up from my sleep or quickly hop out of the shower because I think I hear one of my babies crying. It's so frustrating and annoying. I hope it passes soon because this mind game is ridiculous.
4. Headaches
I've experienced headaches here and there from stress, sinus infections, or sleep problems. But after birth, I noticed them more frequently and intensely.
Now, this may be completely normal due to the hormonal changes. (Yes, the hormone fluctuations during AND after birth are no joke.) But it could also be a sign of something very serious and life-threatening. So make sure you tell your doctor and have your blood pressure checked immediately.
5. Baby Blues
This one differs from postpartum depression, but should still be taken seriously. Both new and experienced moms might be in denial of having mood changes, and feeling bad about themselves. However, we need to acknowledge when we need to reach out for help about our mental health. We don't want the temporary anxiety and depression moms might go through the first few weeks after birth to develop into its more severe long-term cousin, postpartum depression.
Symptoms of baby blues may vary from person to person. It could include feeling down about oneself, anxious, overwhelmed, or even unconnected from your baby. If you have any of these symptoms or anything else that may make you feel "different", please reach out to your doctor or medical professional for more information and answers.
6. Leaky Boobs
Even if you choose not to breastfeed, your breast might still leak. How much and how long it lasts will vary from person to person. For most, it will dry up and stop within a few days after giving birth or after you stop breastfeeding. Wearing nipple shields and making sure not to stimulate that area will help you dry up if that's what you choose.
7. Hip Pain
Immediately after having my first, I was having a lot of pain and trouble walking. I chalked it up to him being a big baby and my first. And that childbirth is trauma on the body. But it persisted even months later.
When I finally complained enough and had imagining done, they discovered I had fractured my ilium and my pubic symphysis didn't fuse back together correctly- it was misaligned. I googled how common it is, and it actually is way more common than not. But as stated earlier, this is one of those post-delivery things that are just not mentioned and often written off as "normal pain" from delivering.
It Might Take Time, But The Crazy Symptoms Will Pass!
No matter what you may experience postpartum, just remember that it won't last forever. It's just your body's way of healing or trying to provide for your kid(s).
I hope this post helps those that need it to realize that you are not alone, and you're not going crazy! The postpartum time can be as much of a roller coaster ride as the pregnancy itself.
Enjoy your baby. And please reach out to your healthcare provider if you ever have questions or concerns! .
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