When Will You Feel Like You Again After Childbirth?

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While it’s nice to be offered a seat on the bus or for crowds to part like the Red Sea, some time in the third semester most women get at least one moment when they ask, “When will I be me again?” If it’s not strangers running their hands over your belly or making unsolicited comments, it’s midwives measuring your belly every fortnight. And even just finding a comfortable position to sleep in can be a challenge.

At the risk of sounding cliche, motherhood will change you. Motherhood will make you stronger and more vulnerable. You’ll go through times where you feel utterly helpless, and you’ll have times when you can conquer any challenge. That all sounds very zen, but the first question is usually “When will I get myself back?”. And it’s important you remember that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint; it’s a lifelong job. As with any job you need a training period, and this will be when you first have your baby.

The first thing you need to know is that after childbirth you’ll be filled with feelings you never even thought of. You’ll be so filled with amazement and love for this tiny human being that was a part of you for so long, and you won’t be able to comprehend where all of these feelings come from.

But while everyone knows that having a baby will change your life, it seems that when most couples have their first child they don’t realise just how much it will change them too.

It’s obvious that instead of being up at 3am dancing the night away in a club with your friends you’ll now be pacing the floor with a fretful baby and longing for sleep. It’s also expected that you’ll feel a bit hormonal and may find yourself crying or laughing for no particular reason.

What no one can really explain to you and what you can’t prepare for at all, is the overwhelming emotions that will take their toll on you when you have a baby. And indeed, these feelings will be a part of your relationship with your child for the rest of your life. You’ll be worried about them, worried for them, and worried that you’re doing something wrong. At the same time you’ll adore them, feel like every accomplishment they make is as extraordinary as walking on the moon, and will secretly know that your child is the most beautiful baby in the world.

A reasonable expectation when going into motherhood is to think that you won’t be the same person you were before you had a child. After all, if you were the same person you were before pregnancy you wouldn’t now have your perfect baby in your arms. You will eventually come to realise that the person you are now is yourself, and you no longer want to be the person you were before.

And on those days that you feel distanced from yourself and that you’re a completely different person, why not treat yourself to a sit down with your favourite movie and a yummy treat? Enjoy the fact that no matter what else changes, chocolate will always taste good.

How long did it take you to feel like yourself after pregnancy?