My recovery after having Archer has been so different to Lily's and I've been thinking a lot recently about why that is. Post-natally, everything this time round has just been easier, a lot more straight forward and just worlds apart from the period of time after having Lily.
I guess there's more than one reason as to why that could be..
First of all I think the fact that this has been my second birth plays a big part. Quite simply, my body knows what to do, it's been through it already and it knows how best to recover.
Mood and circumstance too play a big part I reckon. I've made no secret of the fact that I really struggled emotionally after having Lily, I was a freakin mess, and thank god this time round I haven't felt like that. Circumstance has made the recovery quicker because quite frankly this time I've had no choice but to recover. I have a 3 year old to run around after, and therefore I've had to just work through any post birth pains and carry on. After Lily it couldn't have been more different because I had nothing but time. Spending my days sat on the sofa holding my newborn and drinking endless cups of tea there really wasn't much else to do but dwell on how much pain I was in but actually it seems that for me distraction is the key to recovery.
The main reason why I think I recovered so well this time round though is the labour itself. It's quite simple really but the differences in my labours meant for two totally different recoveries. Whilst Archers birth was fast and drug free, Lily's was more drawn out and I ended up with an epidural and an episiotomy. The epidural took a lifetime to wear off meaning I still couldn't get up or even move my legs for hours after my birth and the episiotomy caused so much pain that I genuinely couldn't sit down for weeks. I also lost a substantial amount of blood during labour and had really low iron and was so unwell during the labour that it was days before I could even eat and drink properly. It basically felt like a lifetime before I felt myself again. Fast forward three years to Archers birth and I was up and showering half an hour after having him and eating tea and toast whilst he had his first feed. I felt back to myself almost instantly which is pretty incredible.
See what I mean? Worlds apart.
I look back now and wonder if Archers birth had been anything like Lily's, whether I'd be struggling with my post partum recovery again. Maybe I would, it's hard to say. Either way I'm so relieved and grateful that fate leant a helping hand and I effectively managed to 'bounce back' this time round. It's amazing what the human body can do.
Interestingly Emily from Emily&Indiana did a post back in February about second labours and how they differ which makes a good read. Do check it out!
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It's amazing isn't it, the difference a labour can make to your recovery! Our experiences sound so similar, and I'm really glad you had a good second labour too. I hope if I ever have another I have an experience like I did with Parker. Thanks for sharing my post too lovely xx
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