The Royal College of Midwives supports the findings. Sue MacDonald, Head of Education and Research at the Royal College of Midwifes told MailOnline:
“We are very aware that the postnatal period has always been a bit of a fairy tale. ‘We are often not able to see women as much as we would like to. Community midwives may be able to help at home but not always, and mothers do not stay in hospital for very long after childbirth any more. The physical recovery is, of course, just one side of the story. Women also need to make the psychological transition to being a mother – which is even tougher for those who were working before giving birth. Many feel the pressure to get back on their feet soon after childbirth.”
Sue also stated that studies have shown that many new mothers also tend to put up with a lot of discomfort after childbirth because they think it is normal.The Royal College of Midwives were going on to study this further in the hopes of showing women that discomfort is not the norm.
If you are approaching the birth of your first baby, or know someone who is, please go easy on yourself. Be prepared to let yourself take as long as you need in those post-birth months to heal, process and integrate what has happened. Your body deserves your love and respect, so listen to it. Seek support if you need it. Don’t put up with ongoing pain or troubling issues. Let yourself heal and don’t pressure yourself to “bounce back” to your pre-baby body and life. Science backs you up.
Hannah Schenker is a freelance writer, editor and regular contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine. She lives with a touch of magic in Golden Bay, New Zealand.
Thanks for featuring my research ..I do worry now I’m a Glama that nothing is improving for new mothers here the uk. It’s have your baby go home manage and cope by yourself for yourself – narrow views of motherhood and fatherhood prevail and will get worse. If midwifery services can’t provide postnatal care then surely a service can be provided that supports new parents