The new year is a time to set new goals and priorities, and if you’re also a new mom, that means focusing on feeling your best during the postpartum period and beyond.
It’s a good goal: After the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and childbirth, it’s natural to crave balance, support, and both physical and emotional energy.
Postpartum recovery isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a gradual process that can feel different for every woman.
Whether you’re navigating the early weeks following delivery or you’re months into new motherhood, tending to your physical and emotional health helps you regain the strength and clarity you need to balance the year ahead.
As a leading woman’s wellness specialist, board-certified OB/GYN DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, is dedicated to helping women navigate the postpartum period with the support they need for a complete recovery.
Here, Dr. Taylor and our team at Desert Star Institute for Family Planning offer a quick postpartum guide to help you feel your best.
Your body works hard during pregnancy and childbirth, and proper recovery takes time. While it’s natural to want to get back to your pre-pregnancy routines ASAP, taking a gentler approach is far more effective in achieving lasting results and preventing strain, stress, and injury.
Pay attention to the way your body feels while you recover. Any discomfort, swelling, or unexpected changes are reasons to call our office and schedule an evaluation. Your prompt response to your body’s signals helps us address concerns early, setting the stage for a more comfortable recovery.
Taking your time during recovery includes any exercise plans you may have. Low-impact options like walking or gentle core work allow you to regain strength safely.
We can help you set realistic goals and build your routine as your body gains strength and endurance. We can also recommend exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor and your lower back, areas that often need extra attention following the rigors of pregnancy and delivery.
Many women think postpartum nutrition is only important for moms who are breastfeeding, but that’s not the case. Whether you choose to nurse your baby or not, your body needs good nutrition during this time.
Meals high in lean protein, iron, and healthy fats support tissue repair while helping you feel more energized. Hydration is equally important. Drinking enough water supports breastfeeding, hormone regulation, and overall wellness while also keeping fatigue at bay.
Pregnancy causes lots of physical changes, but fluctuations in hormones, changes in routines, and added stress can all take a toll on your emotional and mental well-being. During the postpartum period, it’s not uncommon to feel anxious and overwhelmed, especially in the first few weeks while hormone levels are actively changing.
Seeking a little extra support at this time — from help with housework to running errands to engaging in counseling — helps you:
While temporary emotional upheaval tends to resolve within a couple of months, some women have more serious symptoms of anxiety, depression, and sadness that persist. These symptoms can be signs of postpartum depression, which requires medical treatment.
Rest can be hard to come by with a newborn, but it’s definitely an essential for postpartum wellness and recovery. Napping when your baby naps, delegating household responsibilities, and making time for a few quiet moments during the day can restore energy and improve your emotional outlook.
You also need to manage your expectations. Even though you may want to bounce back to your regular activities right after the birth, that sort of goal simply doesn’t reflect the realities of postpartum life.
Give yourself permission to take the time you need to fully recover, and seek help when needed to avoid feeling guilty and to provide yourself with the support you need during this exceptionally stressful time of life.
In the immediate postpartum period, having another baby is probably the last thing on your mind. But now is the best time to think about the future and take steps to manage your plans and avoid unexpected surprises.
Why? Because you can get pregnant again very soon after giving birth — sooner than most women realize. That’s true even if you’re breastfeeding.
At Desert Star Institute, we offer a full array of contraceptive options — e.g., pills, watches, implants, IUDs, and tubal ligation — so you can select the method that works best for your lifestyle.
Being a mom can be challenging, but giving yourself permission to recover at your own pace is an important part of self-care, especially during the postpartum period. To learn how we can help, contact us today at Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, Arizona.
