As many Memphis tn Photographers are also mostly moms- I’m dishing the honest, unfiltered truth about what to expect after giving birth—the stuff that no one seems to talk about.

Ready for some real talk about postpartum life?

Buckle up, because we’re about to get real, raw, and maybe even a little bit TMI—but hey, that’s what friends are for, right?

(1) This is one most moms aren’t expecting and that is… the first bowel movement after giving birth can be scary and painful.

Let’s face it, nobody wants to talk about bowel movements, but it’s important to prepare for it after giving birth.

Stool softeners can make the process easier by softening the stool and preventing constipation. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids, such as water or prune juice, to keep your body hydrated and to help with bowel movements.

Trust me, taking care of yourself in this way can make a world of difference and help you feel more comfortable and relaxed.

We’re friends here so there’s no such thing as TMI right? Honestly – I was not expecting this one. Do not skip the stool softeners my friend. As someone who also has worked as a nurse, I passed out stool softeners a lot. Like a lot a lot. Like in the hospital, every single patient gets stool softeners. And I never realized how important they are!

There are lots of different reasons that you could be constipated after you give birth.

• You’re just not moving as much as you normally do! Less movement means that there is less shifting in your intestines.

• During birth, you may have gotten some medications that have a side effect of constipation.

So take that stool softener. It’s not going to result in you having diarrhea. I PROMISE. It just pulls any residual water into your intestines to soften your stool — thus stool.. softener. 😉 And having that stool be soft makes that first bowel movement hurt less, I promise it’s worth it!

(2) You might experience night sweats as your body gets rid of the excess fluid from pregnancy.

Night sweats can be surprising and uncomfortable, but they’re a normal part of the postpartum experience.

Your body has been holding onto extra fluid during pregnancy, and after giving birth, it needs to get rid of it. This can lead to sweating during the night, which can be uncomfortable and even wake you up.

One way to deal with night sweats is to wear lightweight pajamas and use breathable bedding. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

For example, you could suggest keeping a fan nearby (bonus: works as white noise if baby is sleeping in a bassinet next to you).

(3) Postpartum bleeding can be heavy and last for up to six weeks.

You got to skip out on your period for 9 months and now it’s back with a vengeance!

Time to stock up on heavy-duty pads and avoid tampons.

(4)Your nipples will hurt, crack and bleed.

Breastfeeding is natural right? That’s what I was told – but I was never told how much it might hurt those first couple of days and how much nipple cream I’d blow through in 24 hours!

Your breasts might leak milk and be sore, even if you’re not breastfeeding. Nursing pads + nipple cream are a lifesaver.

I had cloth nipple pads that I would rotate through and just wash every week. They were softer and when your nipples are already so sensitive, it helped to have a cream and a soft cloth as a barrier. I tried lanolin and it was okay, but I actually preferred a nipple butter because it was a little thicker and acted as more of a barrier. I used Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter!

If you’re wondering if it’s time to get professional help with breastfeeding and where to find breastfeeding resources in Memphis, click here to read! This is one of my most popular posts and there aren’t many Memphis tn photographers that have this resource!

(5) It’s common to feel sad in the first few days after giving birth.

Everyone says becoming a mom is the best feeling ever, right? Not for everyone, and that’s ok!!

The first few days after giving birth can be an emotional rollercoaster, and it’s common to feel a range of emotions, from joy to anxiety to sadness.

These feelings are often referred to as “baby blues” and are a normal part of the postpartum experience.

BUT, if these feelings persist or get worse, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare provider. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that affects many new moms, and it’s important to get the support you need to feel better.

I remember the first several weeks wondering why I didn’t feel that magical connection with my baby that everyone talked about. Between all the crying (the baby AND me), late nights, and incredible lack of free/ME time, I just wondered what I had gotten myself into. Looking back I definitely had postpartum depression and I should have opened up more with my doctor about what I was experiencing instead of putting on a front that I was doing great. If you are having a hard time adjusting, know that especially for that first baby, your life has done a complete 180 and it’s perfectly normal to have feelings of anxiety and sadness. That being said, if they get worse, please go visit and talk with your doctor about how to get through this phase of your life. It gets better! Sometimes you just need a little extra support for a bit while you get used to all the changes!

I’ve talked with a lot of mommas and other Memphis tn Photographers who have done newborn photos and I’m here to tell you that if you are feeling this way, you are not alone!

(6) It’s important to take care of your perineum if you had a tear or episiotomy. Ice packs, witch hazel pads, and sitz baths can provide relief.

If you had a tear or episiotomy during delivery, it’s important to take care of your perineum as it heals. This can be a painful and uncomfortable process, but there are things you can do to make it easier.

You can use ice packs, witch hazel pads, or sitz baths to reduce swelling and pain.

Padsicles are a popular DIY solution for postpartum relief. They are essentially frozen pads that are infused with soothing ingredients like witch hazel, aloe vera, and lavender oil. Here’s how to make padsicles:

That’s it! Padsicles are an easy and cost-effective way to get relief from postpartum discomfort. Just be sure to change the padsicles as needed throughout the day, and discard used pads in the trash.

If I hear someone else on social media talking about “bouncing back” after having a baby, I might lose it. One thing rarely talked about is that it’s ok to take months or years to recover. It’s been 5 years since I gave birth and I feel like everyday gets a little easier.

(7) You might think you’re going bald with all the hair loss.

You might be alarmed to see a lot of hair falling out after having a baby! I know I was!

But don’t worry, postpartum hair loss is actually quite common and temporary for many new mothers. This happens because during pregnancy, hormonal changes cause hair to enter a resting phase, leading to less shedding.

After giving birth, your hormone levels start to return to normal, and your hair begins to shed the extra strands it held onto during pregnancy.

Postpartum hair loss usually starts a few months after delivery and can last for several months.

To minimize the effects, try using gentle hair care products, avoiding tight hairstyles, and maintaining a balanced diet. Rest assured, your hair will gradually return to its normal growth cycle, and the shedding should slow down. This is something that most Memphis tn Photographers probably don’t know too much about, but I have lots of friends who are either already mommas or are OBs and they would say that it’s perfectly normal! Fun, no. But normal!

(8) It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and to ask for help.

Listen, it’s totally okay to feel overwhelmed after bringing a new human into the world.

After all, you’re doing one of the most important jobs ever! So, if you need help, don’t be afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Seriously, nobody expects you to be Supermom.

Your friends, family, and healthcare providers are there for you, just waiting to lend a hand or a listening ear. Whether you need advice on how to soothe a fussy baby, some company during those late-night feedings, or just someone to hold the baby while you take a much-deserved shower, PLEASE reach out. Even most Memphis tn Photographers who have kiddos are there to lend an ear.

I remember going days without showering, and it didn’t make me feel any better, just worse. I’ve heard it said that being busy doesn’t deserve a badge of honor. Sometimes you need help, and that’s okay! It takes a village to raise a child. Sometimes we think about that in terms of childcare and playdates, but it applies here too, probably more than we all think.

Remember, asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise! Read that again!!

Because taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your little one.

If I were to choose any of these as the most important, it’s that last one, right there. If you’re even worrying about doing everything you can for your little one, you’re an incredible mom. Take care of yourself so that you can be at the top of your game to take care of that little one you’re sacrificing so much for.

Now you’re in the know about some of the less glamorous, but oh-so-real parts of postpartum life.

But remember, you’re not alone in this and it’s totally ok to lean on others when you need to!! Your littles will grow up to be happy, goofy and loving little kiddos. Here’s a little of what’s to come, but enjoy the snuggles while you can!

If you’re reading this while pregnant- check out some of my Memphis Newborn Photography as you prepare for the arrival of your new baby! As Memphis tn Photographers, we want to serve you as best we can! This is an incredibly unique part of your life and I would love to capture that for you to remember forever!

Need more help with prepping your home for a newborn? As Memphis Newborn Photographers, we’ve created multiple guides to for you to prepare for the Newborn phase! Click here for A QUICK GUIDE TO PREPPING YOUR HOME FOR YOUR NEWBORN | GERMANTOWN NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHER.

I hope reading “8 Things I Wish Someone Told Me About the 1st 2 Weeks Postpartum from Memphis tn Photographers” has given you some solid ideas! If you’re still looking for a Photographer, click here to see my portfolio of images. I would love to work with you!