Seven-month post-partum update from a first time mum

Seven months have flown by and my post-partum journey has been one full of joy, love and a lot of sleep deprivation. I’d say that the sleepless nights have been one of the hardest aspects of being a new mum.

No one can prepare you for the fact that the night before you give birth is most probably the last night you’ll get a full night’s sleep for some time.

Sleep deprivation did take its toll, it felt like a shock to the system after what my body had just been through. It’s hard to rest and recuperate after birth when a little person is now totally reliant on you.

The nights have become so much easier now, making such a difference. I have more energy to do fun activities with Azaiah and this has been amazing, I love having a little companion.

Getting out and about has been a must, I do love spending time in the house but having time out whether it be looking around the shops or going to a baby class or group has been great.

I’ve particularly enjoyed walking, I had a moment the other week when I felt so grateful to be pushing my baby in his buggy and looking down at his beautiful face because it was something I always dreamt of. Walking has been great mentally, sometimes just having some quiet time away from the noise of everyday life is much needed.

Taking in the small moments has been magical, I believe it’s so important to stay present as much as possible because as people have told me, the time does go very quick.

Mummy Self-Care

Protecting our mental health as new mummies is something that I’ve learnt is vital, our bodies go through so much change but our minds also need attention.

Having a baby is such a massive life change but it’s the greatest journey. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I have so much admiration and respect for mums out there.

I am starting to feel a bit like me again, for a while after birth I felt like my body still had a lot of healing to do, particularly after having an episiotomy. I didn’t pile pressure on to bounce back and if anything, pregnancy made me fall in love with my body because it wasn’t just about the way it looked anymore.

Pregnancy showed that the body is far more than something to be picked apart externally, my body brought my son into the world and for that, I am eternally grateful.

I am proud of how far I’ve come in the last six months, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster and having a strong support system has been vital. I’ve learnt that it’s ok to feel overwhelmed and out of your depth while also been so grateful for your little bundle of joy.

A few things have been a great help during my time navigating motherhood so far. These have included being around other new mums in the bubble too, making sure I get out and about with baby, leaning on family for support and taking time for me when baby’s sleeping.

Finding my pink again

I heard the time ‘finding my pink again’ a while ago, and it made me feel incredibly emotional. I thought it was a term that beautifully encompassed the motherhood journey. To give context, Flamingos who have just become mothers lose the pink in their feathers when raising their babies because all of their energy is put into them. They eventually get their colour back and I feel the term absolutely applies to human mothers.

We lose our pink for a while because all of our time goes into raising our little ones and, we may not feel like ourselves. We may go on a journey to get to know our new identity as mothers. I’ve certainly been on that journey during the past six months. My pink isn’t fully back yet, that will take time, but I feel more like myself.