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.