Postnatal recovery and navigating life after childbirth
After childbirth, many women are told recovery ends at six weeks. That is far from the full story. Healing takes time, care, and understanding.
A quiet crisis exists in postnatal care:
- 1 in 3 women experience urinary leakage three months after birth.
- 1 in 7 experience anal incontinence within six months.
- 1 in 12 report symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.
- 1 in 5 face mental health challenges in the first year.
- And, according to the APPG Birth Trauma Report (2023), around 30% of women say they didn’t feel listened to during their maternity care.
These struggles are common, but that doesn’t make them normal. At BodyOwn, we have heard countless stories from women who felt dismissed or were told to “just wait and see”, which leads to feeling isolated and misunderstood.
It’s okay to ask questions.
Why does your pelvis feel unstable? Why does your back ache? How long should bleeding last, and what’s normal? These are all valid questions that deserve real answers, reassurance and action.
Fatigue, exhaustion, and emotional strain all play a role after childbirth. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is a common saying. But how does it work when your baby feeds every two hours, and you are still doing everything else in between?
It is not selfish to care for yourself. Your wellbeing shapes your family dynamic. Regaining strength, confidence, and comfort in your own body can transform how you connect with your child and yourself.
Research shows that untreated postnatal issues can worsen over time. But it also shows that early, gentle support can make recovery stronger and lasting. This is where continued care can make all the difference.
BodyOwn’s first programme is designed to guide you through the first six weeks after childbirth, which is a critical time for healing. From there, we continue with you until you feel restored, supported, and confident in your health and wellbeing.