The big day has finally arrived! You finally met that little being who made your life different, brought more color to your story, and filled your life with new expectations. When you get home, every little corner and all its carefully arranged details start to come to life, but along with all this enchantment, women’s exhaustion after childbirth also arrives. Is it postpartum depression? Am I just sleep deprived? Do I have anemia? After all, what is happening to me? It’s such overwhelming tiredness, such uncontrolled exhaustion that it raises concern. But what is really going on?

People assume that after the baby is born, everything will go back to normal as if by magic. The weight of your belly will no longer bother you, and even your favorite sleeping positions can return. Vanity is a must, as well as having the energy for every get-together, especially family events. But have you ever stopped to think about how many emotional transformations, not just physical ones, a woman goes through during those 9 months?

Being pregnant goes far beyond just carrying or sheltering a baby inside you. It demands enormous physical and emotional effort and a lot of psychological preparation to cope with all the changes and discomforts brought on by pregnancy, as well as the pressure and fear of delivery day.

When the baby is born, your body is in recovery, so fatigue is inevitable, especially because instead of resting to restore yourself, you’ll need to care for a newborn 24/7 who wakes up all the time and needs constant attention, not to mention breastfeeding—which is demanding work—and the postpartum period which can feel like it will never end.

That is why it’s so common to hear women who have just given birth say they feel like “trash.” Women’s exhaustion after childbirth is not always linked to vitamin deficiency or postpartum depression. In the vast majority of cases, it’s connected to the natural fatigue brought on by everything she has gone through and is still experiencing. Regaining strength and feeling like yourself again can take a few months, depending on your routine, how much you can rest, how much support you have from your partner and family, and even how many obligations you have.

Adapting to a new life and new routine can take several months, and for some women, the process may be quicker. The important thing is not to be too hard on yourself or try to take on more than you can handle. Asking for help is not shameful and admitting you can’t do it all is even less so! Yes, women after childbirth need help, and what may seem minimal to some is actually a huge help for them, especially if there are other children involved.

How to Ease Exhaustion After Childbirth?

Since your body needs to readjust after the baby is born, that advice you heard so often during pregnancy comes back now: “Sleep as much as you can.” Sleep deprivation after the baby is born really is one of the key factors in post-birth exhaustion, since there’s no better way to recharge your energy than by sleeping. Here are a few tips:

  • Newborn babies sleep for many hours at a time and only wake up to nurse, have their diapers changed, or get a bath. Take advantage of these long naps to rest as well, including at night—put the baby to sleep and go to bed early yourself;
  • Breastfeeding is another process that is very tiring for women, especially because you have to wake up at night to feed the baby. Try breastfeeding lying down on your side, so you can rest and relax while feeding your little one;
  • In addition to keeping up with your sleep, eating well is at the top of the list for regaining your energy. Drinking plenty of water, choosing healthy foods, and eating meals at the right times will help boost your energy levels;
  • Ask friends and family for help, especially those offering to visit and who you know are ready to lend a hand. Help with cooking, looking after your other children (if you have any), or simply holding the baby while you rest will make a big difference.

Another thing that carries a heavy weight in women’s lives and brings great exhaustion after childbirth is housework. Let go of the obsession with the house for a bit, otherwise you might lose your mind! Do just the basics to keep things tidy without putting too much pressure on yourself, and if possible, and if you can afford it, hire someone to help out at least in the first few months of your baby’s life.

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