What I Wish I Knew Postpartum The First Time Around

Nobody really prepares you for the physicality of postpartum.

Your body is healing, swelling, feeding, contracting, regulating, and surviving on little sleep all at once. The first time around, I fought my body. This time, I’m trying to support it instead.

Empty your bladder

I had no idea how much a full bladder could affect postpartum healing.

After birth, your uterus is trying to contract down while everything internally reorganizes. Staying ahead of it helped reduce pressure and discomfort so much for me this time around.Small supportive habits matter postpartum and understanding anatomy and female physiology from the work we do at the studio has only supported my healing.

A good nursing bra changes everything

When your milk comes in, engorgement can feel intense (days 3-5 are the most extreme).

I did NOT invest enough in these the first time (honestly I thought they were gimmicky and UGLY). To be fair, they are. However, this time, soft supportive nursing bras made such a difference. Not tight or restrictive. Just comfortable enough to help me feel held together while my body adjusted. I pulled together my favorites here.

Contact naps are the point

The first time postpartum, I was so focused on reclaiming my body and creating routines that I missed some of the softness of it all. This time, I understand the contact naps are the point (and I’m not giving up a single one). The slow mornings.
The baby sleeping on your chest.The softness of it all. It goes way too fast. I’m all in. Do yourself a favor, and try to slow down.

Lymphatic drainage work helped me so much

One of the biggest things I noticed this pregnancy and postpartum was how much our Stretch classes helped me.

At MARGO’S, we focus heavily on circulation, breath, fascia, swelling, and nervous system support. That work helped me tremendously during labor, postpartum swelling, and especially engorgement.

Circulation is key

I used to think things like sitz baths were another gimmick. Now I understand they’re circulation. Warm water increases blood flow to healing tissue, helping soreness, swelling, and recovery. Healing happens through circulation. It’s something we talk about in class all the time. The more blood flow, the better. This is where Red Light Therapy comes in.

Red light is a connerstone of my healing routine

After my first birth, I used red light constantly while healing from my c section-mainly for the scar component. However, as I’ve deepend my understanding of light therapy, red light became an essential healing tool. Warmth, circulation, rest, and nervous system regulation all matter postpartum.

Postpartum is not a performance

The biggest thing I wish I knew the first time is that healing is not linear.

This time around, I’m leaning into nourishment, movement, sunlight, hydration, skin to skin contact, rest, and softness wherever I can find it.

Not punishment. Not extremes. Just support.