Wife's postpartum recovery is way harder than I expected

Nov 271 min read

I don't even know if I should be posting this but I'm kind of shocked at what my partner has been through the past 6 weeks. Like I knew pregnancy and birth would be hard but watching her recover... the bleeding, the pain, not being able to sit comfortably, the hormonal swings, trying to breastfeed while also dealing with physical trauma. And then people expect her to just bounce back while also taking care of a newborn.

I'm trying to help as much as I can but I think I've been underestimating what her body went through. Anyone else realize how much the postpartum period gets glossed over? Makes me feel like I need to step up more.

5 comments111 views

Comments(5)

RRandy S.Regularjust now

My wife had a similar recovery and honestly the best thing I did was just... help without being asked. Not asking "what do you need" but like, just handling everything else so she could focus on healing. Meals, laundry, other kids, all of it.

NNeil C.New Dadjust now

You should ABSOLUTELY be posting this. So many new dads have no idea and then they panic when their partner is struggling. Normalizing this stuff helps everyone. Sounds like you're actually paying attention which is good.

TTerrence J.Regularjust now

The hormonal swings part - my wife literally cried about a commercial on like day 10. Just knowing it's the hormones and will pass helps but man it was intense. Took like 3 months before she felt normal mentally.

WWade T.New Dad1d ago

For real though if the pain or bleeding is getting worse after the first couple weeks, not better, that's worth calling the OB about. There can be complications (infections, etc) and they should check it out.

OOscar D.New Dad14h ago

Dude yeah, postpartum is BRUTAL and nobody talks about it enough. The bleeding part alone is just... nobody warns you that it's like a 6-week period. And then she's supposed to just bounce back while her body is falling apart? It's messed up.