the postpartum collection
postpartum (adj): the condition of existing after giving birth, from the Latin partus “to bring forth”
The calling of motherhood is a mighty one. In it, we are invited to join with God in creating a new person, a task that is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It demands all of us: nothing may be held back. The months immediately following delivery are, therefore, some of the most transformative in a woman’s life. Through the experience—the joys and the sorrows, the tenderness and the frustration, the blessing and the sacrifice—another birth occurs: that of the mother herself, whose relationship with the world has been permanently altered. As with all true callings, to pursue motherhood requires that we surrender our former selves and allow them to be remade—refined through fire. Just because God has called you to it does not mean it will be easy; any true calling will demand more of us than we think we can give. But, if we are faithful, it will also give us more than we could ever hope.
The reflections below explore the messy magic of this liminal world and share some advice about how to navigate your own rebirth. I hope they will be of value.
posts
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“For most women, the postpartum period is one of immense sacrifice—of time, of sleep, of comfort, of freedom, of self. There is a tiny death involved in becoming a mother, a death of your former self that makes way for your rebirth as this new creature whose life is tied so intimately to another’s that the incremental separation of the child growing to independence can be felt, at times, like a visceral tearing. In this sense, a mother is always postpartum, always healing and growing and learning anew how to hold close and simultaneously let go.”
“Part of what makes the postpartum stage so hard is that most of what we go through remains unseen and therefore unknown, and so we suffer in silence, adding feelings of aloneness to the already heavy emotional burden and isolating circumstances of a new mom.”
- from “What the Selfie Doesn’t Show”
I hope this bingo game can help bring some levity to those hard, hard days when all the things are going wrong. I also hope that it can remind you to prioritize some self-care (see the corners), even—especially—in the midst of those worst times. Click here to access the full-sized image if you want to download it for printing, etc.
resources
What to REALLY Expect with Your Postpartum Recovery by ConqueringMotherhood: fantastic resource that lays out what kinds of things you may experience during your postpartum weeks and months including hair loss, mood disorders, night sweats, and other things you rarely hear about
Postpartum Recovery Checklist: Tips + Essentials For New Moms by Alex Cerball: this list has some great suggestions for gear to help with those tender weeks just after giving birth, including breastfeeding must-haves
How I Realized I Had Postpartum Anxiety (and what I did about it) by Riley at MotherhoodIsaMinistry: mood struggles are a very common part of the postpartum experience, and they’re easy to overlook; this post helps you identify postpartum anxiety (sister to pp depression) and offers some strategies to help you deal with it; she also offers a free set of downloads for pp moms!
Core + Floor Restore: A Post-Baby Plan That Gives You Strength by Jessie Mundell: pelvic floor disfunction is a serious and ubiquitous problem for moms that can remain for decades after giving birth if not addressed; Jessie is a leading expert on restoring core strength for moms who’s been through it all herself
Strong, Brave, and Beautiful: Stories of Hope for Moms in the Weeds: this book contains 43 honest and grace-filled essays from 9 writers at KindredMom.com offering personal stories and practical, heartfelt encouragement for the beautiful, messy years of raising children. It covers all stages of parenting, so it can be an uplifting companion starting in those early weeks and staying by your side for all the years to come.
Mothering by Faith: this blog offers biblical encouragement and practical tips to inspire weary moms and rekindle the flame of faith even—especially—when they are “in the thick of it,” while navigating the sweet, exhilarating, exhausting, overwhelming, sanctifying days of early motherhood. Leslie offers solid wisdom and a gentle, soulful voice, and she’s just an awesome person all around.
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I read obsessively about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I read about cribs and car seats, strollers and swaddles. Thanks to some savvy friends, I even read some about breastfeeding, though I didn’t learn many basic facts about babies and their care until after our little girl had arrived and started making it very clear that we were not meeting all of her needs, at which time I read more.
What I never read anything about was what would happen to me after she was born. Not just physically—which offered plenty of its own surprises and challenges—but also mentally and emotionally. . .