The pregnancy and postpartum journey have been eye-opening for me. My fitness and yoga journey have been about building strength and flexibility. Post pregnancy I found myself in the somewhat daunting position of having to re-build my body, muscle by muscle, sinew by sinew. And like most women, pelvic floor health was the last thing on my mind. Sure, I’d heard about it on Instagram, but at the rate Instagram is devolving into a quagmire of sensationalised, fear mongering false news, who pays attention? Post delivery the focus is largely on regaining strength, losing ‘baby weight’, or simply getting through the exhausting newborn phase, but what about our pelvis – the part of our body that has endured immense strain and stress during pregnancy?
But when my friend Shruti told me about her experience and recommended Dr. Anuja, I decided to book an appointment. My consultation with her was eye-opening, and I walked away with insights I feel are valuable for all women – regardless of whether you’ve had a baby or not.
I decided to delve deeper into the mysteries of the pelvic floor as an integral component of a woman’s overall health. In this conversation I had with Dr. Anuja Chandrana, we delve into the significance of pelvic floor health for a woman’s overall wellbeing.
The three of us at Kalindi’s cousin Kai’s first birthday party. Attending this was poignant, as we were also about to reach this milestone.
When I had my daughter, I expected the usual postpartum struggles—sleepless nights, sore muscles, and a rollercoaster of emotions. As a new mum, the tendency is to focus on the baby’s well-being more than your own, so you largely write these off as “normal”. However, when my metatarsals began to ache, I was caught off-guard and promptly scheduled an appointment with my doctor.
Although it was nothing to worry about (she prescribed a calcium supplement), I realised that there are many symptoms that are typically ignored, and deserve more attention.
Here are ten commonly overlooked postpartum symptoms that you should discuss with your healthcare provider.
I turned 43 this year. 43 looks different today than it did, say 10 years ago. At 43 women are now starting families, changing career paths, finding love….question and challenging their world views. I certainly found myself re-evaluating long held beliefs, thought and behavioral patterns. Including my approach to my yoga practice.
I’ve written extensively about my conception and pregnancy journey and the role yoga played in it. In retrospect I feel it’s important to point out that it was only the allopathic medical fraternity (“Western medicine” as many would say) that used the words “geriatric” or “old”. Alternative health practitioners, including my yoga teachers, never once saw the idea that I was too old to become pregnant as credible. To them, my body’s potential mattered more than my age. The irony is that many people think that this means according to yoga age doesn’t matter – but it’s quite the opposite.
…was my 43rd.
Many Iyengar practitioners take what I call the Light on Yoga birthday challenge every year – they practice the number of asanas from the book corresponding to their age. I’ve just recently started to feel my old flexibility coming back, after a deep tissue massage last month. But things had been so busy that I remembered this challenge only on Feb 1st. With everything else going on (read ramping up classes, taking care of a wriggly 11 month old, trying to get the nanny situation under control), I couldn’t really prepare for the challenge as I used to in previous years. In the end I just did my best and accepted whatever came my way. So my first birthday as a new mom was about acceptance.
I’m five months postpartum and this past week I fit into my old low-waisted skinny jeans. I’ve written about honouring the first forty days and the importance of postpartum repletion. I believe that’s something every woman who has given birth should do, regardless of c-sec or normal delivery.
After those forty days I was eager to quickly get back into my ‘usual’ routine. I was being inundated with old wives’ tales about exercising after a cesarean – such as not walking too fast or bending forward for an entire year, and even the myth about the chronic pain after an epidural. So, as usual, I did some research.
I believe the following four guidelines optimised my recovery.
Pregnancy is often projected as a glow-y, rosy time. Very little is written about postpartum. Pregnancy is a time when everyone is extra careful and kind to the expectant mother. This often changes very quickly post delivery. For me it was as though within only a couple of hours reality changed beyond recognition. Sudden it’s all about the baby, and as the mother you’re at the receiving end of unsolicited advice and stifling opinions. With the fireworks of hormones that’s going on in your system, most women I know (including me), have found this time stressful and difficult, compounded by feelings of mom guilt.
The best advice I received when I was pregnant was to maintain balance. To not let the baby consume everything, including me.
But new mom-guilt is real, and not something we can wish away easily. But, there are certain things I feel we should stop feeling guilty about.
Many women swear by ajwain water and silver glasses. It tastes good!
The strangeness of postpartum isn’t written about enough. There are few books about the state of new motherhood. It’s as though the mother is pushed into oblivion by mountains of dirty diapers and midnight feedings. No one talks about learning to inhabit the postnatal body and mind. A mind that is usually bewildered. A body whose contours are unfamiliar. A depleted body. In need of postnatal repletion.
I recently read ‘The Postnatal Depletion Cure‘ by Dr. Oscar Serrallach. In it he describes postnatal depletion, and validates the millions of women struggling to find themselves postpartum. Postpartum depletion comprises all the symptoms a woman experiences post delivery, such as the change in sleep cycle, the psychological strain and the emotional disturbances, social isolation and the hormonal changes. He argues that the postnatal body is nutritionally depleted, especially if the mother is breastfeeding. This depletion combined with a lack of sleep and the expectation that a woman seamlessly slip into her new role contribute to women experiencing long-term health problems even years after birthing their babies. He suggests post delivery women focus on postnatal repletion.
It’s 8 pm and it’s the first time I’ve sat down today. By the time I publish this blog it might be after midnight.
I have been planning my first mother’s day for the last week. I washed my hair and chose an outfit. I googled the Water Monkey Cafe and imagined having coffee and a chocolate muffin with the Bangalore rains in the background. Maybe even taking some Instagram worthy photos with my munchkin.
This morning I finished packing for our first trip with Kalindi. I spent a few hours going through Kalindi’s clothes so that she’s nice and cozy in Coorg. I’d contemplated swim diapers, then decided a chlorinated pool was too risky for a one and a half month old. I imagined two restful days with Kalindi and Animesh in the verdant Coorgi hills with its crisp, inviting weather.