Postpartum is forever

MAIA LARRaz

What I wish I'd known before giving birth...

You don't actually need a million things in your hospital bag, you only need yourself. I didn't even make it to the hospital for my second baby - someone should have reminded me the second often comes fast!

I wish someone had explained what being a neurodivergent or highly sensitive parent feels like, so I could have summoned as much compassion for myself as I would need. I wish I'd known to put more support in place, for baby and for myself. I try to carry that into my parenting now - parents need all the support we can get.

The hardest part of postpartum...

The loneliness. There's this idea that you feel so complete and happy at home with baby, and I'm happy for any parent who experiences that, but I found it overwhelming and difficult. It took time to get to know my littles, and I wish I'd had more support so I was less in survival mode and more in the integration and embodiment of the process – for them and for myself.

Never be afraid to ask for help - medication can be so helpful, from SSRIs to natural remedies for immune support.

The best surprise about postpartum...

Discovering how strong I was and am. You can be told, you can know intellectually, but to really meet yourself, to discover the corners and depths of your strength is a beautiful gift. Postpartum and the years after (postpartum is forever!) taught me I was the driver of my life, not the passenger.

I learned slowly, sometimes painfully, to rely on myself and my instincts and trust the voice inside me more than ever before. I will carry this knowledge with me forever.
And of course, I get to meet my two daughters over and over again every day as they grow, discover and come into themselves.

Love yourself unapologetically. ❤️