Postpartum completely knocked me down…3rd degree tearing, episiotomy, a lot of blood loss, broken tailbone, infection, postpartum gallstones which led to gallbladder removal surgery at 8 weeks PP, and then postpartum depression. Praise the Lord that He saw me through that trial.
I had second degree tearing, horrible trama, and my gallbladder failed me 6 weeks postpartum! I had been hurting all pregnancy but the Dr always blamed it on heartburn. The day after birth I was having a gallbladder attack and my nurse was HORRIBLE and just walked out on me and they all said it was heartburn. I am so sorry for your postpartum journey ... It was so hard for me.
i got so emotional when you were showing your tummy and talked about not comparing yourself to people 🥹thank you so much for being such a beautiful person and example for young girls and women, i really needed to hear a lot of what you said❤️
The "fog" was so scary to me. To realize I was not thinking and feeling as I normally did was frightening. I thought I would never be able to think clearly again. Several months ago I remember thinking you were struggling and remember thinking "hang on Delilah, it gets better". I'm so glad you're back to your old self again. Our bodies are incredible!
That brought tears to my eyes at the end when you told William you would go through it over and over again and that he’s worth it 🥹 I couldn’t agree more!! Babies are such a blessing, and it is such a privilege to be a mama, scars, stretch marks, and all 🤍
Diastasis recti is not just a "it is what it is", because it can cause serious issues later in life, can affect other pregnancies, etc. So it's a good thing to take care of it with exercise in the future!
Ive never commented before, I but I had to (tearfully) say thank you for talking about this so candidly, kindly, respectfully, and inclusively. I clicked this video to watch during the first work out I’ve committed to doing in a few weeks. I’m 21 weeks pregnant with my third baby, and I’ve been struggling A LOT here lately with body image and weight issues. For my first two pregnancies I was a bit heavier, and I didn’t notice too many changes. My body image struggles were minimal. However, before this third pregnancy, I had began practicing mindful eating and strength exercises for over a year before conceiving baby #3. I lost a lot of weight and felt INCREDIBLY healthy and more energized; and, while I still had a mama tummy and allll the cellulite, I felt more confident and healthy than I had ever felt in my life. I entered this third pregnancy journey thinking that I would only gain weight in my belly, that I’d remain toned in the areas that had toned up already, and that I’d only gain maybe 10 pounds. After all, I was sticking to my mindful eating and pregnancy-safe daily work outs. Obviously, that was an unrealistic mindset. The body changes have been SO MUCH more difficult this pregnancy…hence why I clicked on this video once I read the title. It’s already difficult to find a mentally healthy place to reside as a woman trying to simply live a healthy lifestyle. I feel like we walk this tight rope, and on one side, we face unrealistic body standards, and on the other side, we face toxic diet culture. As it particularly relates to pregnancy and postpartum, I am finding that the health world is EXTREMELY unforgiving to mamas. Some days it’s more than I can emotionally handle, and I have to take long breaks from it all. Unless you are working to specifically alter your body- and working toward that goal is your MAIN priority in life- simple, healthy workouts and mindful eating will just not produce a toned, lean body type during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum for me personally. I think this perhaps applies to many women, but I don’t want to project my own personal journey onto a broad public because we are all different and BEAUTIFUL whether we are toned and lean throughout pregnancy or whether we are…well…more soft and chunky. I just wish that health were not so widely associated with a certain body type. We see and have mostly accepted this healthy body image among women in general. But, it seems more cruel to push these standards to pregnant and postpartum mamas…who are already bombarded with unrealistic societal expectations, sleep deprivation, hormonal imbalances, and extreme body changes that are widely out of our control. Healthy looks different for every pregnant mama. When you are working to nourish your growing baby (prenatal or postpartum) and take care of your body from the inside out, look in the mirror and know: THAT image is the beauty standard. ❤️ Thank you for normalizing this type of rhetoric. I needed to hear it today- to be reminded of what is important- and to know that I’m not alone. Thank you.
I had terrible postpartum rage after both my kiddos, I thought I was just angry but after talking to other moms, I found out i wasn't alone. It helped me so much!
I started balling my eyes out when you talked about not comparing yourself postpartum.. Thank you. I am 23 carrying my second baby and I can tell how my body will never be back to normal, there will be loose skin and there are a lot of stretch marks. I'm a year and a half post partum and I've never had so many negative comments about my body in my life. This pregnancy I've been more worried about my weight than the baby. With my son a lovely lady told me not to worry about the weight, just focus on the baby. This time though I've been so miserable and haven't had anyone to talk to about it I didn't even click that it was why I was so sad until you mentioned it. Thank you again.
If it helps, stop ✋ thinking of it as ‘getting back to normal’. Your body is different than pre-baby. Different is not bad, you’re also not the same person that you were pre-babies and you’re not meant to look exactly the same as you did before, diet culture and celebrities and social media has weirdly prioritized ‘bouncing back’ but we can only move forward ❤️ I’m also struggling through some postpartum body insecurities (and my 2nd and final baby is 2) but that’s sort of how I’ve been trying to keep my mindset healthier as I work towards finding a new balance for my family and life and health and fitness.
Oh Delilah, this was such a needed story that many of us needed to hear. I had one baby, almost 15 years ago, via C-Section. My whole “downstairs” area was swollen for a couple weeks. I hated how it looked, I thought it would never go back to normal… but by the grace of God - it did. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
@Milena Taylor yes I just had my second son on 5/3 I had a emergency c section and my uterus ruptured. It was awful, I’m still recovering and have a long road ahead. I’m very thankful I am ok and here with my two boys but days are long and hard.
Thanks for being so real! A lot of Christian mama vloggers make it seem like it's no struggle at all and that can be discouraging. I've had 4 kiddos and can relate to a lot of what you've shared!
I really struggled after my emergency c-section. I feel like sometimes there is a lot of shame around any birth that isn't vaginal and/or unmedicated. But one of my close friends who also had two c-sections taught me the word "belly birth." That (and a few counseling sessions) helped me to heal from the shame I carried. Now I tell people I had a belly birth and I feel proud of the work my body (and excellent team of doctors and nurses) did to help deliver my amazing perfect son!
I understand that I'm going on c-section number 4 in April as I'm currently pregnant. But the first one I really wanted natural and it was so hard to accept that this was happening. If I didn't though I would of died and baby would have died. We put too much pressure on ourselves when expecting certain things and i feel like media pushes these ideals that are not everyone's reality. My reality was c-section my third child i couldn't breastfeed and that shamed me because everyone even my husband is like why cant you breast feed but my body was not producing milk. I learned from this experience to let go of these ideals that are not everyone's reality.
Your body positivity is so empowering! 💛 I'm 4m post partum with my 3rd in 3.5yrs and I certainly look pregnant still but I am so impressed with my body!
The pain postpartum was waaaaayyy milder than I expected, but the exhaustion, oh man, I was so brutally exhausted, even after speaking on the phone for a few minutes. Love your videos, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!
A thousand times, THANK YOU ! I wish this video were show at class in every school in the world. It will help future moms and dads, future friends, aunts and uncles.
Ugh any mommas that didn’t have a “traditional” birthing experience where they take baby home from hospital with them- props to you for surviving that. I get really bad anxiety just thinking about that! I had to be admitted to a hospital 2 months pp and i had to sign out AMA that night because I had a full panic attack, I couldn’t be separated from my baby! Moms are so amazing!
I had such a difficult pp time with my first son and the repercussions affected the first years of motherhood in significant ways and I just wish I'd known what I was going through. I feel regret and guilt every day for being too depressed to be truly present for my first baby's infancy
Don't feel guilty, it wasn't your fault ❤️ I'm currently struggling with the same thing - my son just turned one and some days are just no go's. You're not alone, and it's OK to struggle. I guarantee your baby will still grow up fine
This made me cry, it felt so comforting hearing you talk about your experience. I am almost 10 months post partum with my first child, had an emergency c-section. I see so many people who had an easy breezy c-section recovery so I have felt quite lonely in that my recovery went very slow, I struggled a lot. I can relate a lot to your experience, felt so comforting to hear you talk about it 🧡 Thank you 🧡
Hi Delilah! You’re awesome and beautiful, that’s a fact. I’m a physical therapist and I don’t like to give my opinion when no one asked for it but I advise you to go see a physical therapist (if and when you have the time) because of your posture (you still have the posture of a pregnant woman ) and that’s what gives you most of the “mommy tummy” and can also give you sciatic pain and back pain. You should protect your core, especially if you want more babies. Lots of love!
God bless you and your children! My 23 week old unborn baby leaps for joy inside me. What a privilege to be a mother and to experience postpartum. Thank you for sharing your experience and adding to the normalcy that should be discussion, education, and understanding around childbearing.
OMG, the fogg! Such a great comparison. It was 13 months of fogg for me either, and I was expecting 2 weeks of baby blues 🤦♀️ I'm so thankful for your channel, for your story, for you. Me and my son Gabriel ;) send best wishes from Poland! PS William is adorable!
2 years and seven months after my first and only to feel like myself (physically AND emotionally!), I had never even heard that was possible so I thought I was crazy so hang in there mamas, you're doing great! Take it one day at a time!
Well that was awesome to hear. I just gave birth to my second daughter and I had a successful VBAC. Hearing you talk about your C-section and the postpartum experience reminded me of my postpartum experience after C-section. Two years later I am still recovering and processing the trauma. Thank you for sharing your healing ❤️
Thank you for sharing ❤️ I’m one month postpartum with my first child. I had a traumatic emergency c-section and it’s wild walking through all the emotions while recovering from major surgery and caring for a newborn for the first time!
My first child experience was very similar too yours and it was like going through hell all alone and coming back. I had a high need crying baby and It took 6 month to understand, how everything worked out. Puh that was a tough time and only who experienced this too can understand the power we as mothers really have.
When you said you felt so lonely during your first pregnancy and postpartum... I felt that.... Because I also just had my first baby "sooner" than my "peers" it has been a deeply isolating experience. I cannot wait for my friends to have babies and when they do I am so excited to provide them community and support
First time being pregnant at 31 Quite clueless and unprepared and Listening to your video's so helpful. Having my first child in my 30's my concern has been my body taking longer to heal then if perhaps I was pregnant in my 20's. My friend said the worst decision she made was getting children later causes your body is just not the same. She is 3 years older and is pregnant with her second. Thank you mama's Gods grace is sufficient.
I had almost the exact same experience with my first, a girl, grazing only and colic.. of course the loneliness was the worst. 100% agree you have no idea your state until your through the other end. That realisation gives us the ability to watch out for others with their post-partum 😊
I’m almost one year postpartum after having a scheduled c section due to vasa previa. This is my one and only postpartum experience thus far so I appreciate your perspective. Thank you for talking about this subject. It is so needed ♥️
My first PP experience was a dream. I was happy, my baby was easy and healthy, motherhood came naturally. So I was very caught off guard when my second was the complete opposite. He had reflux, which made every feed filled with anxiety for me, and pain for him. I tried everything, and nothing worked, he eventually just grew out of it. I though it would be a breeze since I had “experience”. I was anxious and short tempered and exhausted. It’s true, every pregnancy and baby is completely different. Thank you for sharing your story, and being such an encouragement in my life!!
This is exactly my story, I’m 38 weeks with my second baby, I can’t even understand or stand myself.😭 I’ve cried countless of times out of anger and frustration. It’s just the complete opposite as with my first.
I had that angry fog. I’m almost 3 months postpartum with my second baby and it’s finally not as bad. Definitely didn’t have that with my first baby. Thanks for sharing.💙
First of all - you look amazing ! I had 2 C-sections (1st one was emergency, 2nd was planned) and with the second one I felt amazing. But after the first, it took me 2,5 years to even be able to think about another baby . Like after natural births - every recovery after C-section is different.
You are so beautiful inside and out! 🌹💐💗 Thank you for your honest video! Currently pregnant in week 9 and praying that god blesses us in this third pregnancy with our first child to hold in our arms.
I’m not a mom yet, so I haven’t struggled postpartum with my weight. But I have struggled with self confidence regarding my weight for most of my life, and hearing a you talk about how you struggled with your self confidence over the past year made me feel so seen. Your openness about your struggles has made me feel less alone, and hearing you talk about the unique, beautiful bodies that God has given each of us and how we don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone made me tear up. Thank you for sharing your story and being such a beautiful example!☺️❤️
Gosh I love this! I have been birthing babies for a DECADE Now and no two have been the same! My body looks NOTHING like anyones I know , but I am so thankful for these beautiful loud souls that I get to call mine .
I also had that happen with my bleeding after my C-section. It freaked me out so much. It was so bizarre. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Love not feeling alone.
The pp journey after c-section is my first and only experience, so far. Having an emergency c-section is traumatic, I am thankful my son is healthy and was saved in the process of me experiencing the worst night of my life (until he was born). Childbirth is not all fairytales, while some have the most beautiful experiences others don’t and we need to hold space for both. The pp body dysmorphia is hard, especially when you have a lot of issues with body image prior. Don’t ignore those parts of you, they become worse, always bring them to light and regulate through them. It is hard some days but you and your body are incredibly strong and loved. Thank you for sharing your 3 journey’s, I remember watching you before I had my son, and aspire to be a mommy like you.
I love the TMI info .. pregnant with my first and it’s so easy to worry about every new feeling/discharge etc. lol and it’s good to hear this stuff in case I go through it, I’ll know I’m not the only one.
Thank you for this video!. Im approaching my daughter's 1st birthday next month and I can relate to the " angry fog" I also feel it could have been a spiritual attack on me. Trying to make me doubt my role as a new mother and just a new part of life in general. At times i let it and i could feel my heart break the times i let it affect my husband and daughter. I can say now that i am feeling so much better. I pray so much more with my daughter and truely have intentional prayer with the lord. My pregnancy was so peaceful and beautiful and the anger, frustration, and doubt hit me so hard pp . I had to really fight to open my heart again to the lord to help me fight it. About a month ago i started working out (3-4 times) a week nothing intense but just helping my body out. I wasnt happy pre pregnancy with my body and so far its been a great way for me to feel that confidence. My body is back to its prepregnacy way and I just want to take care of my body and be that healthy example for my daughter. Thank you so much for sharing these videos!! And happy late birthday to mr. William!
Yes! I had a struggle with a miscarriage in 2019 and my birth/postpartum with my son who turned one Monday. There is a huge target on godly mamas. I have felt better the last few weeks, but I had some HARD days and some dark thoughts making me doubt my ability to be a mother. But I know in my heart of hearts this is God’s plan for me! I’m glad you are feeling better. I also started doing some gentle workouts and spending about 10 dedicated minutes reading my Bible and praying in the morning and it’s been so life giving. You are who God made you to be and He will sustain you ❤️
After Pregnancy our stomachs will never go back to normal and that is awful! But with that, my body is my body and I made another human being. The cutest little baby and once I got over not being able to breast feed, things got a lot better. No depression but I was soo anxious about looking after thing helpless baby. The responsibility was overwhelming!
I’m almost 9 months PP with my daughter. Unmedicated, vaginal birth following induction. The end of pregnancy was hard on my body, and literally the moment she was born I felt INCREDIBLE. Had a 2nd degree tear but physical recovery was a breeze. Mentally though - that’s another story. The blues and fog became postnatal depression and anxiety until around 5 months. I’m finally starting to feel a lot more like myself.
Thank you for this video. I had my first baby girl almost 8 months ago now, and it has been a rollercoaster. I have found a love for her I didn’t know I was capable of, but it has also been a very lonely and isolating experience. I was very snappy for a big portion of my pregnancy and the first few months postpartum. It was not exactly that I did not feel like myself, but more like all the little annoyances and things that are normally brushed of just made me so angry and explosive. And that has had a very negative effect in my relationship with my husband, which in turn would make me more lonely and angry…
THANK you for sharing! ❤️ Had my second one 4 weeks ago, it’s hard to watch your changed body and still feel connected to yourself. It’s hard to feel comfortable with this new reality in the mirrow.
I found this video so encouraging, thanks so much! Next month I will be one year postpartum....my birth plan for my son, who was our first, did not go the way I was planning. I was induced because of high blood pressure and had painful back labor....tried having him naturally but he got stuck...plus throughout my entire labor his heart rate was fluctuating so much, so my husband and I knew that because of that he may need to be born by emergency C-section... He did end up being born by c-section but it was not emergency...we made that choice because of his heart rate and because he had gotten stuck and wasn't coming down anymore.....in the end I'm so thankful and grateful that I had a c-section though its not wat I wanted, God knew best, and I felt at peace with the decision that I made! After my son was born we found out that he had a knot in his cord....it wasn't tight....so after knowing that I knew there was a reason for me feeling at peace with the c-section! God is so good! Postpartum was harder than I thought, I fell like the main thing tht I still am struggling with is my weight, but we r working on it and I daily remind myself of what my body did and how amazing God created womans bodies to be when it comes to pregnancy and birth/postpartum! 😊 so thanks again for sharing this video I needed it!😁❤️ I also love talking about pregnancy/birth/postpartum!
I resonate with refusing to focus on eating too healthy or working out. I worry about stirring up old habits too. Much love Delilah, proud of your recovery and self respect to protect your mental health ♥️
My first birth was an emergency c-section. The numbing feeling was really uncomfortable, but I recovered quickly. The scar heald very slowely and was almost an inch thick. It was only after 7 years that the scar began to slowly diminish. But it never bothered me. I always say: Some moms get a tattoo done with the baby’s name, I have my scar and varicose veins :-) The attitude towards my body has never been better than after childbirth. A woman’s body is miraculous and beautiful in itself. 💝 Greatings from Slovenia!
5 months pp and struggling with hair loss and my weight, i know im not heavy but still feels like its not fully mine yet if that makes sense, but on the other hand i am extremely greatfull and proud that my body did that. And blessed with our beautifull daughter
It took me until this year to really realize how utterly miserable and depressed I was in my first pp experience with my oldest (he’s 2.5). It breaks my heart that I’ve actually blocked out so much from the first few months I had with my son, I have to look at pictures to try to guess what I felt in that specific moment. I want those days back with my baby. Reach out to other moms. Take the time out of your schedule to make sure your friends/family/neighbors are doing okay.
Thanks for sharing! I had a vaginal birth, which ended in an episiotomy. I thought I had done lots of research on women’s postpartum recoveries, but I was shocked still. I couldn’t even walk or stand without assistance for the first two days, and I continued to be in tons of pain for 4 months. Not even laying down relieved the pain for the first couple months. 1 yr PP and I’m still doing physical therapy trying to heal my pelvis completely. I think it would have been easier to cope with and process my recovery if I wasn’t taken so by surprise.
I had crutches in the hospital after my first baby because I couldn’t walk. I remember a nurse coming and saying “what happened to you?!” “I had a baby!” The look on her face told me that I was completely not normal, thanks 😬
Thanks for keeping it real Del, that’s what hit me like a train postpartum. It’s not rainbows and butterflies and love, it’s adjusting and struggling and sleeplessness and fog xxx
Thanks for sharing this! I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant with my first and a little nervous about the immediate postpartum experience. But I didn’t realize it took so long (a year!!) until you fully feel back to normal. Makes sense though with all the amazing things your body has gone through to create a baby 💕
I haven't watched your videos in a while and it was just what I needed. I have never had kids, not do I want to, but I admire you sharing your story. I believe every body is a great body and it's okay to be skinny, fat, thick, anything, as long as you have healthy and loving habits towards yourselves; (especially since some of y'all LITERALY carried another human inside you... give yourselves grace.)
Postpartum imo, gets tougher the older you get. I had my 4th baby, 2+ years ago at 40 years old. Luckily, I was able to not return to work. This made such a difference. It was still hard, but I was able to focus more on myself and the baby. Personally, exercise was key to recovery for me in all my pregnancies. Yoga and then walking as the weather got warmer at least 30+ minutes a day. Exercising shouldn't necessarily relate to body image. It relates to physical and mental health more than anything else, but as a side effect I feel good about how I look. And this is something we model for our children. Love your videos and your message. Moms need to hear a lot of what you share. So we know we are not alone in the struggles. 🙂
Omg when you talked about the mucus plug it brought me back to the day we had a sip and see 2 months after baby. I thought I was having tummy issues all day but at the event I webt to the bathroom and literally pulled something like you described out. It freaked me out a bit and I never mentioned it again. I also had a c section.
Thank you for this video! I’m 1 year post partum and it’s been a JOURNEY. I love the content you share and your honesty and calm demeanour ☺️ you’re so relatable and I look forward to your new updates! You’re doing a wonderful job and your family is beautiful.
I think this hard thick substance you were pulling out was the same as I had and it was (sorry I'm using the dictionary): cauls or amniotic membrane. The stuff where the baby was lying in. Sometimes during birth not everything is coming out. I had this one week later. I started getting big cramps, put a hot water bottle on my tummy and an hour later, when I stood up, all this stuff came out (and I'm very happy it did) 😅
Hi Delilah! I am a first time mama with a 5 month old. Thanks for sharing your story, I feel like it's so important for women to hear other women's pregnancy/postpartum journey and to normalize all the ways it happens. I totally knew I would experience hair loss but holy cow am I losing it! It comes out in clumps non-stop and I usually resort to wearing it up to avoid my hair all over the house and my baby. One thing I didn't really know how to expect was the feeling after tearing. I only tore a little bit in 2 different spots, but both required stitches. I still feel like the areas that tore are really sensitive. Especially when I wear pants or shorts that hug that area tighter. I am so proud of what my body accomplished though, 3 days in labor with only 1 hour of no contractions that entire time, but then experiencing a medication free water birth in a birth center surrounded by beautiful women and my husband. Women are so powerful! I am actually looking forward to doing it again :)
I wasn't ready for the postpartum being so long and not being able to sit down for two weeks. Also, everyone says you forget the pain and the trauma, you don't BUT it's all worth it because if you think you have 24h some less some more pain, for a lifetime of unconditional love. It is totally worth it
Thanks for allowing yourself to be vulnerable in this way ❤️my son turned one a few days ago and I'm still struggling with my post partum body. I don't care about the stretch marks or saggy boobs, but some days my tummy makes me hate myself. I try not to compare myself to other mums, but it's hard. I've struggled with depression/anxiety since my sons birth because, as you said, the adjustment to taking care of a little person is insane! All I can do is pray and trust that I am meant to be my sons mumma
Honestly, I have been avoiding this video because of my own postpartum journey. However, there is such grace in your voice. Thank you for sharing your story.
I had a vaginal birth and had minor hemorrhage. Sex was still painful up until 6 months postpartum. I had lots of pelvic floor issues and I still pee myself a little. I remember wondering how I would want another child. I didn’t think I would ever find sex pleasurable again. I remember sitting with my pelvic floor pt wondering if these exercises would actually make a difference. Now I’m 1 year postpartum and I feel great. This was my first baby and I think I was like you said with your first. I prepared myself all for birth but not much for postpartum. I never experienced the depression, but my physical challenges were something I never expected. A month ago, I was really proud of myself for holding a plank longer than a minute. Recently, I was able to run for a good amount of time without stopping. I think I’m just amazed by how time can make a difference and how our bodies are capable of healing and getting stronger. Also, I think the biggest advice I can offer now, is GET HELP and SUPPORT. Also, be patient and give yourself grace. I’m really grateful to my pt and the time I went to those apts even though at first it felt like it wasn’t doing much. Now, I feel stronger than I did prior to having a baby.
Totally agree with the C-section recovery. Took well over a year for the scar twinges and numbness to go away. I had a VBAC second time around and I had incontinence for 8 weeks and a third degree tear but way less painful than the C-section. Postpartum is so rough!
I totally relate to the first few months of pregnancy with a first baby. There’s no one who can relate when your younger and being stuck at home all day alone is better sweet but mentally it’s so difficult and dealing with everything else that is happening with our bodies. I’m so glad you decided to make this video for expecting moms it’s hardly ever talked about and scary to be honest
I feel like if you had a podcast it's the only podcast I would listen to. I enjoy your content so much and although I am young you make me very excited to start a family. I love you videos and i wish your family lots of love and laughter
Enjoying this video so far.. I just had my 3rd baby my 3rd c-section This birth has been the hardest for me and I started my 1st breastfeeding journey which has been hard but taking it one day at a time
Beautiful video and so honest! I had my first baby in a country far from my home and was so incredibly lonely for about the first five months until he helped me make some mom friends here. I knew that I would bleed for quite a while after birth (only thanks to talking to another mom friend) but I didn't know how much would really change after my son was born (friends/social life, taking care of a human 24/7, my period, etc). I was quite anxious, especially with the pandemic ongoing, and now that he's almost 2 years old, I see how much my mental health has improved since then. Whew. I hope that I accept the physical help I need more for my second baby and continue to share my thoughts/things with those around me and reach out to get help when I need it. Talking to others helped a lot.
Thank you so much, this was very insightful! I am 23 and have not been pregnant yet, but having a baby is something my partner and I have have talked about a lot lately and I just really want to inform myself right now.
Thank you for sharing this Delilah. I’m 20 weeks with my first and thankfully it’s been pretty smooth so far. This video was a good reminder for me to pray for my pp experience that is to come, to lean on the Lord for grace and mercy when it’s difficult and to prepare my mindset as best as I can. Sending lots of love your way.
My postpartum was a lot like your second baby with the periods like your third. I used to struggle with the worst cramps because of my cysts and now my periods are painless. I’ve never had afterbirth pain, I had contractions the first few times my son nursed and that was it. The confidence boost is incredible but I’m 15 months postpartum now and things are mostly normal again and I’m back to being really hard on my body. My weight flew off in the beginning and now I’ve actually gained it back. Trying not to creep back into unhealthy food habits but I am trying to lose a little bit of weight while also respecting that my body has grown a child and has changed a bit. Thank you for sharing 🧡
Delilah you are such an amazing example of what a mother should be. This video is amazing! I love when u do these because like u say I feel like I'm having coffee with you. You are so genuine 💗
Wow your incision is barely noticeable mine is still really pink and it's been 20 years and no matter what I'll always have a over lap around that area. I also lost all my baby weight in 6 weeks for both my children. I think you're doing so much good for moms out there talking about all baby stuff ❤
Thank you so much for talking about your pregnancy and postpartum experiences. Your honest talks on these subjects helped me with realistic expectations for my own pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery period. You've also helped me to have more grace with myself though it all. While my labor and postpartum recovery were very difficult, I am always happy to answer questions from expectant moms/parents. I think it is so beneficial to share your experience with others since it's just not talked about enough. Edit: I want to add on to answer your question at the end :) My labor and delivery was not quite what I expected it would be. First off it started by my water breaking as I got into bed on my due date. I was induced and after 24 hours of hard labor, 4 hours of pushing, vacuum assist (because I was so exhausted at this point and my baby's heart rate was dropping) and episiotomy my daughter was born. About a week postpartum when my swelling finally came down my stitches had dehisced, the incision was constantly bleeding and I was feeling it. I had to go back in for a full repair at 13 days postpartum. After that I was finally able to start recovering properly.
Yes!! C section recovery is no joke. Took me 4 months to feel “healed”, 2 years to feel like my self again. Truly. Vaginal healing I’ll take any freaking day (had a VBAC)
Thank you for sharing! I'm not a mom, but I'd like to be one one day...despite my fears. This was SO encouraging, especially when you talked about being confident in our bodies.
Thank you for your honesty. I'm almost four months postpartum and still struggling with the way my body looks and the fact that most of my old clothes don't fit. I never thought I'd be like this. I always used to say "give yourself some time, you've birthed a human" to other people, but now looking at myself I feel not happy with my body. Something that I also wasn't really aware of is that pelvic pain doesn't simply disappear just because the baby is out... Wish that was different. But on the bright sight: still no period and I don't miss it at all. 😊 And even better: I now have the most beautiful, cute, little baby to share my life with.
My postpartum experience - First of all I slept only about 6 hours in 4 days that I spent in the hospital after giving birth, so I was veeery tired when I got home. Then even though my baby was perfectly healthy and physically I was doing great, mentally I struggled. I was very sad, almost depressed just like you described Dellilah.. and on top of that I was angry with myself because there was no reason to be so sad when I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy child. Now I know it was the hormones... plus feeling lonely just like you did. So thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate you for your honesty and I´m very happy that you´re feeling much better now. Love you!
I had a csection with my first and 4 months ago I had a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). WIDELY different recoveries. Revocery after my vbac was SO much better, but I was not expecting my bum to be in so much pain. I expected other things but not that. Ha. Thank you for sharing! Having 2 babies in 2 years has been a lot for my body and body image can easily become a struggle for me. Hearing other women's stories, like yours, is so encouraging to know we aren't alone.
Thank you for talking about your csection and the feelings of the incision, I feel the same! Currently 10 months pp (from SK), and feeling so close to being back to normal but not quite yet. Recovery (emergency C-section) was SO painful, and the worst was the other women around me who just didn’t get it, and thought it was the “easy way out”. Really just depressing.
Oh gosh, Thank you for this video. Honestly while my belly birth was so smooth and recovery mostly went well, what was hardest for me was feeling the pressure to “get it all together”. Feeling family expected me to care so well and emotionally attentive to my son, then also feed myself and my family, then also somewhat keep the house tidy, and be showered everyday. And also take on new side projects like classes here and there. Then on top of that, aaaaaaaaaall of the things people say to new moms and what we should or shouldn’t do. I’ve felt the things that are right for our family are sort of contrary to what most would say so I’ve had to really stick to my instinct and it’s been so hard. Just the mix of it all is so draining. Honestly if I remember it, I feel sad bc I’m still going through it. And my son is 18 months. I think being basically the only one who cares for him makes it that much harder. Thank you again for this and all the lovely mommas here ❤️
I feel every single bit of this! I’m a new-ish mom as well, baby girl is 10 months and still sometimes feeling like we never left the newborn stage. “Getting it all together” is feeling more and more like a myth
After listening to some of the things you mentioned I realize how many PP symptoms I had this time around. I definitely had the angry fog. I had two babies two years apart and I think I’ve been foggy since the first pregnancy lol I am 11 months PP and I’m still not sure that the fog is completely gone. Reading all these comments has been eye opening. It’s mind blowing how little we are taught about PP.
I just stumbled upon your channel by this video being recommended to me, and I am so grateful! I love the information you are sharing here, and your voice is soo relaxing and I love that you are folding laundry while filming this!!
Always a breath of fresh air to listen to you speak 😌 Also, same about the period after C Section being painless. Prior to pregnancy I had horrible, painful cramps- a sad scene. However, I feel so blessed to say that periods are pain free now, almost unnoticed if not for bloating.
I was in a fog for a little over a year postpartum, I remember talking with my dad at my sons first birthday about how I just had such a hard time processing thoughts, that I just always felt like I was in a dream. 16 weeks with baby #2 praying this postpartum will be easier. Doing all I can during pregnancy to be in a good mental and physical place!
Preach it girl!! Knowing its different for every Mama and every baby too!! Thank You for sharing 😊 Im encouraged- even 2 1/2 years later I struggle with my body changes.. But always encouraged
Delilah I teared up a couple times during this video.. talking about postpartum weight and also where you said everything you went through you'd do it again ❤️ I too had a c-section, with my first and at the moment only daughter. I had a really hard time with recovery too, I had trouble sitting on the toilet and had to grip the wall once i was home and not at the hospital with that bar next to the toilet. I remember standing up too fast the first couple weeks pp and going OWW IT BURNS. My roommate at the hospital had a way easier time recovering and in hospital while she never left the room either, she had no problem walking around it and i kept having to get the nurses to hand me my daughter because I literally could not twist and get her out of the bassinet. I gripped onto that triangle over the bed because I couldn't get into or out of the bed without it. It was way worse recovery than I was prepared for too!!
Thank you so much for openly sharing your experience and feelings with us ! I feel less lonely now. I am 22 and gave birth to my beautiful daughter 2 years ago and it took me so long to mentally recover from it (a year and a half). But this is a gift from G.od ! Thank you for your videos ❤❤
Postpartum completely knocked me down…3rd degree tearing, episiotomy, a lot of blood loss, broken tailbone, infection, postpartum gallstones which led to gallbladder removal surgery at 8 weeks PP, and then postpartum depression. Praise the Lord that He saw me through that trial.
Holy moly that's a LOT!! Praise God you're ok and made it through ❤️
wow! that is a lot to walk through on top of adjusting to caring for a newborn babe. Yes, praise God He is with us in it all
I relate to this soooo much. ♥️ So sorry you also went through so so much. You're so strong!
Oh my goodness! Love that you’re praising God through this season Mama! Praying for your complete healing ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I had second degree tearing, horrible trama, and my gallbladder failed me 6 weeks postpartum! I had been hurting all pregnancy but the Dr always blamed it on heartburn. The day after birth I was having a gallbladder attack and my nurse was HORRIBLE and just walked out on me and they all said it was heartburn. I am so sorry for your postpartum journey ... It was so hard for me.
i got so emotional when you were showing your tummy and talked about not comparing yourself to people 🥹thank you so much for being such a beautiful person and example for young girls and women, i really needed to hear a lot of what you said❤️
i too am grateful for that tummy shot! I have that too and its neat to see it being normalized
Yeah because it’s easy for people to say “don’t compare yourself to others” when you look that good after three kids. Most aren’t that fortunate.
The "fog" was so scary to me. To realize I was not thinking and feeling as I normally did was frightening. I thought I would never be able to think clearly again. Several months ago I remember thinking you were struggling and remember thinking "hang on Delilah, it gets better". I'm so glad you're back to your old self again. Our bodies are incredible!
I love when mommas are vulnerable! Makes me feel like your best friend❤️
That brought tears to my eyes at the end when you told William you would go through it over and over again and that he’s worth it 🥹 I couldn’t agree more!! Babies are such a blessing, and it is such a privilege to be a mama, scars, stretch marks, and all 🤍
Diastasis recti is not just a "it is what it is", because it can cause serious issues later in life, can affect other pregnancies, etc. So it's a good thing to take care of it with exercise in the future!
Ive never commented before, I but I had to (tearfully) say thank you for talking about this so candidly, kindly, respectfully, and inclusively.
I clicked this video to watch during the first work out I’ve committed to doing in a few weeks. I’m 21 weeks pregnant with my third baby, and I’ve been struggling A LOT here lately with body image and weight issues.
For my first two pregnancies I was a bit heavier, and I didn’t notice too many changes. My body image struggles were minimal. However, before this third pregnancy, I had began practicing mindful eating and strength exercises for over a year before conceiving baby #3. I lost a lot of weight and felt INCREDIBLY healthy and more energized; and, while I still had a mama tummy and allll the cellulite, I felt more confident and healthy than I had ever felt in my life.
I entered this third pregnancy journey thinking that I would only gain weight in my belly, that I’d remain toned in the areas that had toned up already, and that I’d only gain maybe 10 pounds. After all, I was sticking to my mindful eating and pregnancy-safe daily work outs.
Obviously, that was an unrealistic mindset. The body changes have been SO MUCH more difficult this pregnancy…hence why I clicked on this video once I read the title. It’s already difficult to find a mentally healthy place to reside as a woman trying to simply live a healthy lifestyle. I feel like we walk this tight rope, and on one side, we face unrealistic body standards, and on the other side, we face toxic diet culture.
As it particularly relates to pregnancy and postpartum, I am finding that the health world is EXTREMELY unforgiving to mamas. Some days it’s more than I can emotionally handle, and I have to take long breaks from it all. Unless you are working to specifically alter your body- and working toward that goal is your MAIN priority in life- simple, healthy workouts and mindful eating will just not produce a toned, lean body type during pregnancy and/or immediately postpartum for me personally. I think this perhaps applies to many women, but I don’t want to project my own personal journey onto a broad public because we are all different and BEAUTIFUL whether we are toned and lean throughout pregnancy or whether we are…well…more soft and chunky.
I just wish that health were not so widely associated with a certain body type. We see and have mostly accepted this healthy body image among women in general. But, it seems more cruel to push these standards to pregnant and postpartum mamas…who are already bombarded with unrealistic societal expectations, sleep deprivation, hormonal imbalances, and extreme body changes that are widely out of our control. Healthy looks different for every pregnant mama. When you are working to nourish your growing baby (prenatal or postpartum) and take care of your body from the inside out, look in the mirror and know: THAT image is the beauty standard. ❤️
Thank you for normalizing this type of rhetoric. I needed to hear it today- to be reminded of what is important- and to know that I’m not alone. Thank you.
I had terrible postpartum rage after both my kiddos, I thought I was just angry but after talking to other moms, I found out i wasn't alone. It helped me so much!
I started balling my eyes out when you talked about not comparing yourself postpartum.. Thank you. I am 23 carrying my second baby and I can tell how my body will never be back to normal, there will be loose skin and there are a lot of stretch marks. I'm a year and a half post partum and I've never had so many negative comments about my body in my life. This pregnancy I've been more worried about my weight than the baby. With my son a lovely lady told me not to worry about the weight, just focus on the baby. This time though I've been so miserable and haven't had anyone to talk to about it I didn't even click that it was why I was so sad until you mentioned it. Thank you again.
You can talk with me about it if you want…. I’ll be your friend :)
I’m 8 weeks pregnant with my second and this describes exactly how I feel!! Thank you for sharing 💚
If it helps, stop ✋ thinking of it as ‘getting back to normal’. Your body is different than pre-baby. Different is not bad, you’re also not the same person that you were pre-babies and you’re not meant to look exactly the same as you did before, diet culture and celebrities and social media has weirdly prioritized ‘bouncing back’ but we can only move forward ❤️ I’m also struggling through some postpartum body insecurities (and my 2nd and final baby is 2) but that’s sort of how I’ve been trying to keep my mindset healthier as I work towards finding a new balance for my family and life and health and fitness.
This is just the exact situation I am in, just know that you are not alone♥️
Oh Delilah, this was such a needed story that many of us needed to hear. I had one baby, almost 15 years ago, via C-Section. My whole “downstairs” area was swollen for a couple weeks. I hated how it looked, I thought it would never go back to normal… but by the grace of God - it did. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
@Milena Taylor yes I just had my second son on 5/3 I had a emergency c section and my uterus ruptured. It was awful, I’m still recovering and have a long road ahead. I’m very thankful I am ok and here with my two boys but days are long and hard.
@@alexandralawson1728 Hang in there. It gets better. And congratulations on your little miracle. May God bless you and your babies!!!
@@milenataylor2 ty you too
Thanks for being so real! A lot of Christian mama vloggers make it seem like it's no struggle at all and that can be discouraging. I've had 4 kiddos and can relate to a lot of what you've shared!
I really struggled after my emergency c-section. I feel like sometimes there is a lot of shame around any birth that isn't vaginal and/or unmedicated. But one of my close friends who also had two c-sections taught me the word "belly birth." That (and a few counseling sessions) helped me to heal from the shame I carried. Now I tell people I had a belly birth and I feel proud of the work my body (and excellent team of doctors and nurses) did to help deliver my amazing perfect son!
I understand that I'm going on c-section number 4 in April as I'm currently pregnant. But the first one I really wanted natural and it was so hard to accept that this was happening. If I didn't though I would of died and baby would have died. We put too much pressure on ourselves when expecting certain things and i feel like media pushes these ideals that are not everyone's reality. My reality was c-section my third child i couldn't breastfeed and that shamed me because everyone even my husband is like why cant you breast feed but my body was not producing milk. I learned from this experience to let go of these ideals that are not everyone's reality.
But I'm sorry you went through that.
Your body positivity is so empowering! 💛
I'm 4m post partum with my 3rd in 3.5yrs and I certainly look pregnant still but I am so impressed with my body!
The pain postpartum was waaaaayyy milder than I expected, but the exhaustion, oh man, I was so brutally exhausted, even after speaking on the phone for a few minutes. Love your videos, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!
A thousand times, THANK YOU ! I wish this video were show at class in every school in the world.
It will help future moms and dads, future friends, aunts and uncles.
Ugh any mommas that didn’t have a “traditional” birthing experience where they take baby home from hospital with them- props to you for surviving that. I get really bad anxiety just thinking about that! I had to be admitted to a hospital 2 months pp and i had to sign out AMA that night because I had a full panic attack, I couldn’t be separated from my baby! Moms are so amazing!
I had such a difficult pp time with my first son and the repercussions affected the first years of motherhood in significant ways and I just wish I'd known what I was going through. I feel regret and guilt every day for being too depressed to be truly present for my first baby's infancy
Don't feel guilty, it wasn't your fault ❤️ I'm currently struggling with the same thing - my son just turned one and some days are just no go's. You're not alone, and it's OK to struggle. I guarantee your baby will still grow up fine
you will make beautiful memories with him as he grows, it is not your fault and is part of that first year of adjusting postpartum
Thank you for talking about this! I’m pregnant with my first and I’ve never heard anyone go into postpartum like this- it’s so helpful!
It can definitely be a shock! Just remember, that fog and sleep deprivation does NOT last forever. You will feel like yourself again. Hugs 😘
This made me cry, it felt so comforting hearing you talk about your experience. I am almost 10 months post partum with my first child, had an emergency c-section. I see so many people who had an easy breezy c-section recovery so I have felt quite lonely in that my recovery went very slow, I struggled a lot. I can relate a lot to your experience, felt so comforting to hear you talk about it 🧡 Thank you 🧡
I’m not even a mama but this video was so lovely to watch! So inspiring for you to speak about body positivity and unique bodies!
Hi Delilah! You’re awesome and beautiful, that’s a fact. I’m a physical therapist and I don’t like to give my opinion when no one asked for it but I advise you to go see a physical therapist (if and when you have the time) because of your posture (you still have the posture of a pregnant woman ) and that’s what gives you most of the “mommy tummy” and can also give you sciatic pain and back pain. You should protect your core, especially if you want more babies. Lots of love!
God bless you and your children! My 23 week old unborn baby leaps for joy inside me. What a privilege to be a mother and to experience postpartum. Thank you for sharing your experience and adding to the normalcy that should be discussion, education, and understanding around childbearing.
OMG, the fogg! Such a great comparison. It was 13 months of fogg for me either, and I was expecting 2 weeks of baby blues 🤦♀️ I'm so thankful for your channel, for your story, for you. Me and my son Gabriel ;) send best wishes from Poland!
PS William is adorable!
Yes!! With both kids it took about a year for that fog to go away!
2 years and seven months after my first and only to feel like myself (physically AND emotionally!), I had never even heard that was possible so I thought I was crazy so hang in there mamas, you're doing great! Take it one day at a time!
Well that was awesome to hear. I just gave birth to my second daughter and I had a successful VBAC. Hearing you talk about your C-section and the postpartum experience reminded me of my postpartum experience after C-section. Two years later I am still recovering and processing the trauma. Thank you for sharing your healing ❤️
Thank you for sharing ❤️ I’m one month postpartum with my first child. I had a traumatic emergency c-section and it’s wild walking through all the emotions while recovering from major surgery and caring for a newborn for the first time!
My first child experience was very similar too yours and it was like going through hell all alone and coming back. I had a high need crying baby and It took 6 month to understand, how everything worked out. Puh that was a tough time and only who experienced this too can understand the power we as mothers really have.
When you said you felt so lonely during your first pregnancy and postpartum... I felt that.... Because I also just had my first baby "sooner" than my "peers" it has been a deeply isolating experience. I cannot wait for my friends to have babies and when they do I am so excited to provide them community and support
First time being pregnant at 31 Quite clueless and unprepared and Listening to your video's so helpful.
Having my first child in my 30's my concern has been my body taking longer to heal then if perhaps I was pregnant in my 20's. My friend said the worst decision she made was getting children later causes your body is just not the same. She is 3 years older and is pregnant with her second.
Thank you mama's Gods grace is sufficient.
I had almost the exact same experience with my first, a girl, grazing only and colic.. of course the loneliness was the worst. 100% agree you have no idea your state until your through the other end. That realisation gives us the ability to watch out for others with their post-partum 😊
Thank you for being vulnerable and honest about the intuitive eating and not wanting to fall into old patterns. I feel so seen
You are doing an amazing job making mamas feel good about themselves. Please don't ever stop. You have helped me more than anyone I know.
I’m almost one year postpartum after having a scheduled c section due to vasa previa. This is my one and only postpartum experience thus far so I appreciate your perspective. Thank you for talking about this subject. It is so needed ♥️
My first PP experience was a dream. I was happy, my baby was easy and healthy, motherhood came naturally. So I was very caught off guard when my second was the complete opposite. He had reflux, which made every feed filled with anxiety for me, and pain for him. I tried everything, and nothing worked, he eventually just grew out of it. I though it would be a breeze since I had “experience”. I was anxious and short tempered and exhausted. It’s true, every pregnancy and baby is completely different. Thank you for sharing your story, and being such an encouragement in my life!!
This is exactly my story, I’m 38 weeks with my second baby, I can’t even understand or stand myself.😭 I’ve cried countless of times out of anger and frustration. It’s just the complete opposite as with my first.
I love it that you point it so clearly...that PostPartum not only the few weeks is a thing....it is much longer then they told us. Much much longer.
I love watching your videos when my son goes down for his nap! It’s so relaxing 😌
I had that angry fog. I’m almost 3 months postpartum with my second baby and it’s finally not as bad. Definitely didn’t have that with my first baby. Thanks for sharing.💙
First of all - you look amazing !
I had 2 C-sections (1st one was emergency, 2nd was planned) and with the second one I felt amazing. But after the first, it took me 2,5 years to even be able to think about another baby . Like after natural births - every recovery after C-section is different.
You are so beautiful inside and out! 🌹💐💗 Thank you for your honest video! Currently pregnant in week 9 and praying that god blesses us in this third pregnancy with our first child to hold in our arms.
I’m not a mom yet, so I haven’t struggled postpartum with my weight. But I have struggled with self confidence regarding my weight for most of my life, and hearing a you talk about how you struggled with your self confidence over the past year made me feel so seen. Your openness about your struggles has made me feel less alone, and hearing you talk about the unique, beautiful bodies that God has given each of us and how we don’t need to compare ourselves to anyone made me tear up. Thank you for sharing your story and being such a beautiful example!☺️❤️
Gosh I love this! I have been birthing babies for a DECADE Now and no two have been the same! My body looks NOTHING like anyones I know , but I am so thankful for these beautiful loud souls that I get to call mine .
I also had that happen with my bleeding after my C-section. It freaked me out so much. It was so bizarre. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Love not feeling alone.
The pp journey after c-section is my first and only experience, so far.
Having an emergency c-section is traumatic, I am thankful my son is healthy and was saved in the process of me experiencing the worst night of my life (until he was born).
Childbirth is not all fairytales, while some have the most beautiful experiences others don’t and we need to hold space for both. The pp body dysmorphia is hard, especially when you have a lot of issues with body image prior.
Don’t ignore those parts of you, they become worse, always bring them to light and regulate through them. It is hard some days but you and your body are incredibly strong and loved.
Thank you for sharing your 3 journey’s, I remember watching you before I had my son, and aspire to be a mommy like you.
I love the TMI info .. pregnant with my first and it’s so easy to worry about every new feeling/discharge etc. lol and it’s good to hear this stuff in case I go through it, I’ll know I’m not the only one.
Ok needed this video in every way!! I am 1 year PP and I finally feel seen/heard watching this. Thank you!
Thank you for this video!. Im approaching my daughter's 1st birthday next month and I can relate to the " angry fog" I also feel it could have been a spiritual attack on me. Trying to make me doubt my role as a new mother and just a new part of life in general. At times i let it and i could feel my heart break the times i let it affect my husband and daughter. I can say now that i am feeling so much better. I pray so much more with my daughter and truely have intentional prayer with the lord. My pregnancy was so peaceful and beautiful and the anger, frustration, and doubt hit me so hard pp . I had to really fight to open my heart again to the lord to help me fight it.
About a month ago i started working out (3-4 times) a week nothing intense but just helping my body out. I wasnt happy pre pregnancy with my body and so far its been a great way for me to feel that confidence. My body is back to its prepregnacy way and I just want to take care of my body and be that healthy example for my daughter.
Thank you so much for sharing these videos!! And happy late birthday to mr. William!
Yes! I had a struggle with a miscarriage in 2019 and my birth/postpartum with my son who turned one Monday. There is a huge target on godly mamas. I have felt better the last few weeks, but I had some HARD days and some dark thoughts making me doubt my ability to be a mother. But I know in my heart of hearts this is God’s plan for me! I’m glad you are feeling better. I also started doing some gentle workouts and spending about 10 dedicated minutes reading my Bible and praying in the morning and it’s been so life giving. You are who God made you to be and He will sustain you ❤️
You have a beautiful mom tummy! Seriously!
Im pregnant with our 1st, and appreciate the openess, hearing the good and the bad. Blessings 🌻
After Pregnancy our stomachs will never go back to normal and that is awful! But with that, my body is my body and I made another human being. The cutest little baby and once I got over not being able to breast feed, things got a lot better. No depression but I was soo anxious about looking after thing helpless baby. The responsibility was overwhelming!
I’m almost 9 months PP with my daughter. Unmedicated, vaginal birth following induction. The end of pregnancy was hard on my body, and literally the moment she was born I felt INCREDIBLE. Had a 2nd degree tear but physical recovery was a breeze. Mentally though - that’s another story. The blues and fog became postnatal depression and anxiety until around 5 months. I’m finally starting to feel a lot more like myself.
Thank you for this video. I had my first baby girl almost 8 months ago now, and it has been a rollercoaster. I have found a love for her I didn’t know I was capable of, but it has also been a very lonely and isolating experience. I was very snappy for a big portion of my pregnancy and the first few months postpartum. It was not exactly that I did not feel like myself, but more like all the little annoyances and things that are normally brushed of just made me so angry and explosive. And that has had a very negative effect in my relationship with my husband, which in turn would make me more lonely and angry…
THANK you for sharing! ❤️
Had my second one 4 weeks ago, it’s hard to watch your changed body and still feel connected to yourself. It’s hard to feel comfortable with this new reality in the mirrow.
I found this video so encouraging, thanks so much! Next month I will be one year postpartum....my birth plan for my son, who was our first, did not go the way I was planning. I was induced because of high blood pressure and had painful back labor....tried having him naturally but he got stuck...plus throughout my entire labor his heart rate was fluctuating so much, so my husband and I knew that because of that he may need to be born by emergency C-section... He did end up being born by c-section but it was not emergency...we made that choice because of his heart rate and because he had gotten stuck and wasn't coming down anymore.....in the end I'm so thankful and grateful that I had a c-section though its not wat I wanted, God knew best, and I felt at peace with the decision that I made! After my son was born we found out that he had a knot in his cord....it wasn't tight....so after knowing that I knew there was a reason for me feeling at peace with the c-section! God is so good! Postpartum was harder than I thought, I fell like the main thing tht I still am struggling with is my weight, but we r working on it and I daily remind myself of what my body did and how amazing God created womans bodies to be when it comes to pregnancy and birth/postpartum! 😊 so thanks again for sharing this video I needed it!😁❤️ I also love talking about pregnancy/birth/postpartum!
I resonate with refusing to focus on eating too healthy or working out. I worry about stirring up old habits too. Much love Delilah, proud of your recovery and self respect to protect your mental health ♥️
My first birth was an emergency c-section. The numbing feeling was really uncomfortable, but I recovered quickly. The scar heald very slowely and was almost an inch thick. It was only after 7 years that the scar began to slowly diminish. But it never bothered me. I always say: Some moms get a tattoo done with the baby’s name, I have my scar and varicose veins :-) The attitude towards my body has never been better than after childbirth. A woman’s body is miraculous and beautiful in itself. 💝 Greatings from Slovenia!
5 months pp and struggling with hair loss and my weight, i know im not heavy but still feels like its not fully mine yet if that makes sense, but on the other hand i am extremely greatfull and proud that my body did that. And blessed with our beautifull daughter
It took me until this year to really realize how utterly miserable and depressed I was in my first pp experience with my oldest (he’s 2.5). It breaks my heart that I’ve actually blocked out so much from the first few months I had with my son, I have to look at pictures to try to guess what I felt in that specific moment. I want those days back with my baby.
Reach out to other moms. Take the time out of your schedule to make sure your friends/family/neighbors are doing okay.
The concept of creating and birthing a whole human is insane and magical to me. I feel like I could never do it. Great job to all the moms out there!😫
Thanks for sharing! I had a vaginal birth, which ended in an episiotomy. I thought I had done lots of research on women’s postpartum recoveries, but I was shocked still. I couldn’t even walk or stand without assistance for the first two days, and I continued to be in tons of pain for 4 months. Not even laying down relieved the pain for the first couple months. 1 yr PP and I’m still doing physical therapy trying to heal my pelvis completely. I think it would have been easier to cope with and process my recovery if I wasn’t taken so by surprise.
I had crutches in the hospital after my first baby because I couldn’t walk. I remember a nurse coming and saying “what happened to you?!” “I had a baby!” The look on her face told me that I was completely not normal, thanks 😬
Thanks for keeping it real Del, that’s what hit me like a train postpartum. It’s not rainbows and butterflies and love, it’s adjusting and struggling and sleeplessness and fog xxx
Thanks for sharing this! I’m currently 36 weeks pregnant with my first and a little nervous about the immediate postpartum experience. But I didn’t realize it took so long (a year!!) until you fully feel back to normal. Makes sense though with all the amazing things your body has gone through to create a baby 💕
I haven't watched your videos in a while and it was just what I needed. I have never had kids, not do I want to, but I admire you sharing your story. I believe every body is a great body and it's okay to be skinny, fat, thick, anything, as long as you have healthy and loving habits towards yourselves; (especially since some of y'all LITERALY carried another human inside you... give yourselves grace.)
Postpartum imo, gets tougher the older you get. I had my 4th baby, 2+ years ago at 40 years old. Luckily, I was able to not return to work. This made such a difference. It was still hard, but I was able to focus more on myself and the baby. Personally, exercise was key to recovery for me in all my pregnancies. Yoga and then walking as the weather got warmer at least 30+ minutes a day. Exercising shouldn't necessarily relate to body image. It relates to physical and mental health more than anything else, but as a side effect I feel good about how I look. And this is something we model for our children. Love your videos and your message. Moms need to hear a lot of what you share. So we know we are not alone in the struggles. 🙂
I needed to hear this so badly. I’m currently 8 mo PP. Thank you for telling me your second PP experience was really nice
Omg when you talked about the mucus plug it brought me back to the day we had a sip and see 2 months after baby. I thought I was having tummy issues all day but at the event I webt to the bathroom and literally pulled something like you described out. It freaked me out a bit and I never mentioned it again. I also had a c section.
Thank you for this video! I’m 1 year post partum and it’s been a JOURNEY. I love the content you share and your honesty and calm demeanour ☺️ you’re so relatable and I look forward to your new updates! You’re doing a wonderful job and your family is beautiful.
I think this hard thick substance you were pulling out was the same as I had and it was (sorry I'm using the dictionary): cauls or amniotic membrane. The stuff where the baby was lying in. Sometimes during birth not everything is coming out. I had this one week later. I started getting big cramps, put a hot water bottle on my tummy and an hour later, when I stood up, all this stuff came out (and I'm very happy it did) 😅
likely not in Delilahs case, as they would have removed the amniotic membrane during the c section
@@pagemayrand4956 maybe they have overlooked something 🤷🏼♀️
Hi Delilah! I am a first time mama with a 5 month old. Thanks for sharing your story, I feel like it's so important for women to hear other women's pregnancy/postpartum journey and to normalize all the ways it happens. I totally knew I would experience hair loss but holy cow am I losing it! It comes out in clumps non-stop and I usually resort to wearing it up to avoid my hair all over the house and my baby. One thing I didn't really know how to expect was the feeling after tearing. I only tore a little bit in 2 different spots, but both required stitches. I still feel like the areas that tore are really sensitive. Especially when I wear pants or shorts that hug that area tighter. I am so proud of what my body accomplished though, 3 days in labor with only 1 hour of no contractions that entire time, but then experiencing a medication free water birth in a birth center surrounded by beautiful women and my husband. Women are so powerful! I am actually looking forward to doing it again :)
I wasn't ready for the postpartum being so long and not being able to sit down for two weeks. Also, everyone says you forget the pain and the trauma, you don't BUT it's all worth it because if you think you have 24h some less some more pain, for a lifetime of unconditional love. It is totally worth it
Thanks for allowing yourself to be vulnerable in this way ❤️my son turned one a few days ago and I'm still struggling with my post partum body. I don't care about the stretch marks or saggy boobs, but some days my tummy makes me hate myself. I try not to compare myself to other mums, but it's hard. I've struggled with depression/anxiety since my sons birth because, as you said, the adjustment to taking care of a little person is insane! All I can do is pray and trust that I am meant to be my sons mumma
Honestly, I have been avoiding this video because of my own postpartum journey. However, there is such grace in your voice. Thank you for sharing your story.
I had a vaginal birth and had minor hemorrhage. Sex was still painful up until 6 months postpartum. I had lots of pelvic floor issues and I still pee myself a little. I remember wondering how I would want another child. I didn’t think I would ever find sex pleasurable again. I remember sitting with my pelvic floor pt wondering if these exercises would actually make a difference. Now I’m 1 year postpartum and I feel great. This was my first baby and I think I was like you said with your first. I prepared myself all for birth but not much for postpartum. I never experienced the depression, but my physical challenges were something I never expected. A month ago, I was really proud of myself for holding a plank longer than a minute. Recently, I was able to run for a good amount of time without stopping. I think I’m just amazed by how time can make a difference and how our bodies are capable of healing and getting stronger. Also, I think the biggest advice I can offer now, is GET HELP and SUPPORT. Also, be patient and give yourself grace. I’m really grateful to my pt and the time I went to those apts even though at first it felt like it wasn’t doing much. Now, I feel stronger than I did prior to having a baby.
Totally agree with the C-section recovery. Took well over a year for the scar twinges and numbness to go away. I had a VBAC second time around and I had incontinence for 8 weeks and a third degree tear but way less painful than the C-section. Postpartum is so rough!
I totally relate to the first few months of pregnancy with a first baby. There’s no one who can relate when your younger and being stuck at home all day alone is better sweet but mentally it’s so difficult and dealing with everything else that is happening with our bodies. I’m so glad you decided to make this video for expecting moms it’s hardly ever talked about and scary to be honest
I feel like if you had a podcast it's the only podcast I would listen to. I enjoy your content so much and although I am young you make me very excited to start a family. I love you videos and i wish your family lots of love and laughter
I love that you are doing laundry in this video! This definitely has a coffee with a friend vibes. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️
Enjoying this video so far.. I just had my 3rd baby my 3rd c-section This birth has been the hardest for me and I started my 1st breastfeeding journey which has been hard but taking it one day at a time
Beautiful video and so honest! I had my first baby in a country far from my home and was so incredibly lonely for about the first five months until he helped me make some mom friends here. I knew that I would bleed for quite a while after birth (only thanks to talking to another mom friend) but I didn't know how much would really change after my son was born (friends/social life, taking care of a human 24/7, my period, etc). I was quite anxious, especially with the pandemic ongoing, and now that he's almost 2 years old, I see how much my mental health has improved since then. Whew. I hope that I accept the physical help I need more for my second baby and continue to share my thoughts/things with those around me and reach out to get help when I need it. Talking to others helped a lot.
Thank you so much, this was very insightful! I am 23 and have not been pregnant yet, but having a baby is something my partner and I have have talked about a lot lately and I just really want to inform myself right now.
Thank you for sharing this Delilah.
I’m 20 weeks with my first and thankfully it’s been pretty smooth so far. This video was a good reminder for me to pray for my pp experience that is to come, to lean on the Lord for grace and mercy when it’s difficult and to prepare my mindset as best as I can.
Sending lots of love your way.
My postpartum was a lot like your second baby with the periods like your third. I used to struggle with the worst cramps because of my cysts and now my periods are painless. I’ve never had afterbirth pain, I had contractions the first few times my son nursed and that was it. The confidence boost is incredible but I’m 15 months postpartum now and things are mostly normal again and I’m back to being really hard on my body. My weight flew off in the beginning and now I’ve actually gained it back. Trying not to creep back into unhealthy food habits but I am trying to lose a little bit of weight while also respecting that my body has grown a child and has changed a bit.
Thank you for sharing 🧡
Delilah you are such an amazing example of what a mother should be. This video is amazing! I love when u do these because like u say I feel like I'm having coffee with you. You are so genuine 💗
i wish i had a mama friend like you! Thank you for inspiring me and helping me feel not so alone 💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏
Wow your incision is barely noticeable mine is still really pink and it's been 20 years and no matter what I'll always have a over lap around that area. I also lost all my baby weight in 6 weeks for both my children. I think you're doing so much good for moms out there talking about all baby stuff ❤
Thank you so much for talking about your pregnancy and postpartum experiences. Your honest talks on these subjects helped me with realistic expectations for my own pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery period. You've also helped me to have more grace with myself though it all. While my labor and postpartum recovery were very difficult, I am always happy to answer questions from expectant moms/parents. I think it is so beneficial to share your experience with others since it's just not talked about enough.
Edit: I want to add on to answer your question at the end :)
My labor and delivery was not quite what I expected it would be. First off it started by my water breaking as I got into bed on my due date. I was induced and after 24 hours of hard labor, 4 hours of pushing, vacuum assist (because I was so exhausted at this point and my baby's heart rate was dropping) and episiotomy my daughter was born. About a week postpartum when my swelling finally came down my stitches had dehisced, the incision was constantly bleeding and I was feeling it. I had to go back in for a full repair at 13 days postpartum. After that I was finally able to start recovering properly.
Yes!! C section recovery is no joke.
Took me 4 months to feel “healed”, 2 years to feel like my self again. Truly. Vaginal healing I’ll take any freaking day (had a VBAC)
Thank you for mentioning how hard a C-section was to recover from! Needs to be shared as much as possible by moms who have had both 🤍
Thank you for sharing! I'm not a mom, but I'd like to be one one day...despite my fears. This was SO encouraging, especially when you talked about being confident in our bodies.
Thank you for your honesty. I'm almost four months postpartum and still struggling with the way my body looks and the fact that most of my old clothes don't fit. I never thought I'd be like this. I always used to say "give yourself some time, you've birthed a human" to other people, but now looking at myself I feel not happy with my body. Something that I also wasn't really aware of is that pelvic pain doesn't simply disappear just because the baby is out... Wish that was different. But on the bright sight: still no period and I don't miss it at all. 😊 And even better: I now have the most beautiful, cute, little baby to share my life with.
My postpartum experience - First of all I slept only about 6 hours in 4 days that I spent in the hospital after giving birth, so I was veeery tired when I got home. Then even though my baby was perfectly healthy and physically I was doing great, mentally I struggled. I was very sad, almost depressed just like you described Dellilah.. and on top of that I was angry with myself because there was no reason to be so sad when I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy child. Now I know it was the hormones... plus feeling lonely just like you did. So thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate you for your honesty and I´m very happy that you´re feeling much better now. Love you!
I had a csection with my first and 4 months ago I had a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean). WIDELY different recoveries. Revocery after my vbac was SO much better, but I was not expecting my bum to be in so much pain. I expected other things but not that. Ha.
Thank you for sharing! Having 2 babies in 2 years has been a lot for my body and body image can easily become a struggle for me. Hearing other women's stories, like yours, is so encouraging to know we aren't alone.
Thank you for talking about your csection and the feelings of the incision, I feel the same! Currently 10 months pp (from SK), and feeling so close to being back to normal but not quite yet. Recovery (emergency C-section) was SO painful, and the worst was the other women around me who just didn’t get it, and thought it was the “easy way out”. Really just depressing.
Oh gosh, Thank you for this video. Honestly while my belly birth was so smooth and recovery mostly went well, what was hardest for me was feeling the pressure to “get it all together”. Feeling family expected me to care so well and emotionally attentive to my son, then also feed myself and my family, then also somewhat keep the house tidy, and be showered everyday. And also take on new side projects like classes here and there. Then on top of that, aaaaaaaaaall of the things people say to new moms and what we should or shouldn’t do. I’ve felt the things that are right for our family are sort of contrary to what most would say so I’ve had to really stick to my instinct and it’s been so hard. Just the mix of it all is so draining. Honestly if I remember it, I feel sad bc I’m still going through it. And my son is 18 months. I think being basically the only one who cares for him makes it that much harder. Thank you again for this and all the lovely mommas here ❤️
I feel every single bit of this! I’m a new-ish mom as well, baby girl is 10 months and still sometimes feeling like we never left the newborn stage. “Getting it all together” is feeling more and more like a myth
After listening to some of the things you mentioned I realize how many PP symptoms I had this time around. I definitely had the angry fog. I had two babies two years apart and I think I’ve been foggy since the first pregnancy lol I am 11 months PP and I’m still not sure that the fog is completely gone. Reading all these comments has been eye opening. It’s mind blowing how little we are taught about PP.
I just stumbled upon your channel by this video being recommended to me, and I am so grateful! I love the information you are sharing here, and your voice is soo relaxing and I love that you are folding laundry while filming this!!
Always a breath of fresh air to listen to you speak 😌
Also, same about the period after C Section being painless. Prior to pregnancy I had horrible, painful cramps- a sad scene.
However, I feel so blessed to say that periods are pain free now, almost unnoticed if not for bloating.
I was in a fog for a little over a year postpartum, I remember talking with my dad at my sons first birthday about how I just had such a hard time processing thoughts, that I just always felt like I was in a dream. 16 weeks with baby #2 praying this postpartum will be easier. Doing all I can during pregnancy to be in a good mental and physical place!
This is so helpful, I’m 35 weeks at the moment. I’ve been super nervous, this has shed so much light on PP!
Preach it girl!!
Knowing its different for every Mama and every baby too!!
Thank You for sharing 😊
Im encouraged- even 2 1/2 years later I struggle with my body changes.. But always encouraged
Delilah I teared up a couple times during this video.. talking about postpartum weight and also where you said everything you went through you'd do it again ❤️ I too had a c-section, with my first and at the moment only daughter. I had a really hard time with recovery too, I had trouble sitting on the toilet and had to grip the wall once i was home and not at the hospital with that bar next to the toilet. I remember standing up too fast the first couple weeks pp and going OWW IT BURNS. My roommate at the hospital had a way easier time recovering and in hospital while she never left the room either, she had no problem walking around it and i kept having to get the nurses to hand me my daughter because I literally could not twist and get her out of the bassinet. I gripped onto that triangle over the bed because I couldn't get into or out of the bed without it. It was way worse recovery than I was prepared for too!!
Thank you so much for openly sharing your experience and feelings with us ! I feel less lonely now. I am 22 and gave birth to my beautiful daughter 2 years ago and it took me so long to mentally recover from it (a year and a half). But this is a gift from G.od ! Thank you for your videos ❤❤