Why You NEED to Rest the First Few Weeks Postpartum
I know what you are thinking, when am I supposed to rest with a newborn?!
However, what I’m referring to isn’t sleep, but rest.
The first six weeks postpartum should be about resting, healing our bodies, and recovering from labor & delivery.
Why is rest so important?
Resting will help your body heal & recover quicker! Just like after surgery, it’s recommended to rest in order to manage swelling, pain, and promote healing, these same principles are true postpartum.
Resting, ice, compression, and elevation are all things to keep in mind during your recovery.
Your body including your pelvic floor has been through a lot during pregnancy as well as during labor & delivery (no matter how your baby was delivered) so it needs some special TLC.
I generally recommend for the first 1-2 weeks only taking short walks and limiting standing to prevent additional pressure on the pelvic floor. This area needs some rest as the tissues heal and recover.
Try this Rest Position
Lay on your back with your knees bent. Place 1-2 pillows under your pelvis. This will elevate your hips and take some pressure off your pelvic floor to promote healing. You’ll love this one!
Diaphragmatic Breathing
While in this position, practice taking deep breaths. Feel the breath move down into your lowest ribs, and focus on taking slow inhales and exhales. This will help calm the body and mind which is important for healing. Just 5 deep breaths can make all the difference.
Besides the relaxation & calming effect of deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing will help you to reconnect to your core. Your core includes more than just your abdominal muscles. It’s your diaphragm (breathing muscle), transverse abdominis (deep abdominal muscle), the pelvic floor (the muscles that sit at the bottom of your pelvis) and your back muscles. Reconnecting to these different areas will be vital to your recovery and restoring stability in your body.
I know it can be hard to make time for yourself when you are caring for a newborn, but give yourself permission to rest and focus on taking care of your body as well.
So put your feet up, and give your body the opportunity to heal and recover.
Want more guidance as you heal postpartum? Not sure what to do or what not to do? Want a personalized plan to return to your favorite workouts? Email hello@thrivingmommas.com to schedule a FREE 15 minute consult!