But What Does "Back to Normal" Mean?

How often have you heard a mother say she is working on “getting her body back” or “bouncing back” to normal, meaning pre-baby? Let’s think about this though. Can a woman’s body really go back to where it was? No, it can’t. From the moment she is first pregnant, her body is forever changed. A series of changes in her body began at conception, beginning with hormones. Then, as the baby grew, the uterus expanded, and the pelvis shifted to accommodate. Along the way, the mother may have experienced other changes in her body in her appetite, mood, energy levels, sleep, the list goes on! Her body literally grew another organ, the placenta, to help sustain the growing life inside of her. 
Postpartum, the body then shifts into a new state - the uterus shrinks down, the site where the placenta was attached heals, the pelvis shifts, lactation begins, if she had a C section the cut scars over, stretch marks will begin to fade, weight may be lost or gained, and she now begins a new stage in life as a mother, caring for the baby that she grew for 9-10 months.  
So with all these changes, is going back to a pre-baby body truly a thing? No, I don’t believe so. I had a client tell me her goal was to feel “normal” again, but once you’ve had a child, it is now a new normal. It may feel awkward, you may feel uncomfortable in your own skin, you may not recognize your body, but just as your child is learning about the world around them, you are learning a new part of yourself. You grew an actual human being inside of your body, how incredibly amazing is that?! Instead of focusing on trying to be like you were before, embrace the new. It can be scary, it can be hard, especially when you don’t recognize yourself. But I encourage you to lean in to this new season of life. I have been there,  I am still there, learning to love this new version of myself. Being a mom is one of the most rewarding AND challenging roles in the world. Instead of focusing backwards, let’s look forwards, and focus on creating an intentional, loving life with our families! 
 If you are looking for support during this time, reach out to myself or Dr. Liz. We would love to support and empower you through this season of life.

Peace, Love, and Wellness,
​Dr. Morgan

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