Discovering I was pregnant with twins twice was surprising. However, nothing was as surprising as leaving the hospital with two newborns while recovering from a c-section and dealing with the rollercoaster of hormones after giving birth to twins. I had one, if not two, appointments or tests every week leading up to my delivery. If needed, I could contact my OB-GYN and they could usually fit me in the same day. Following the delivery, I was discharged with two newborns and a follow-up appointment in six weeks. It felt like I just broke up with a long term boyfriend. The moment the babies were born, my well-being was no longer a priority. My medical support system had vanished when I needed it the most. I soon realized that postpartum care in women's health is like the uncharted territory of the Wild West.
Having gone through undiagnosed postpartum depression and anxiety with my first set of twins, I made a promise to myself to never reach that stage again. I vividly recall a late-night feeding session with our second set when I sensed that something was wrong. The following morning, I contacted my doctor to seek the necessary support and treatment. This turned out to be one of the most beneficial choices I made during the initial year of those babies' lives. It enabled me to be present in a manner that I couldn't manage with my first set of twins.
Recently, I discovered that the effects of postpartum extend well beyond the initial year following the birth of our children. Pregnancy and childbirth have a lasting impact on our bodies and overall health. During a conversation with my friend, who is a mother of triplets, I mentioned the ongoing discomfort and pain I experience at my c-section scar. I had assumed this was a typical part of having a c-section. Additionally, I discussed how my abdominal muscles had separated, leading to significant diastasis recti. Once again, I believed this was just a natural consequence of motherhood. To my surprise, she explained that c-section scar pain is not normal and that there are ways to address diastasis recti. She recounted her positive experience with physical therapy post-triplet pregnancy and emphasized the profound impact it had on her well-being.
During my first yearly check-up, I inquired with my OB-GYN about my symptoms and the potential benefits of physical therapy. Her response was affirmative, indicating that physical therapy could indeed be a beneficial solution. While I appreciated the opportunity to discuss the next steps with her, this conversation took place more than a year after my second c-section, and it was initiated by me. This made me reflect on other mothers who may not have the same knowledge or awareness about postpartum physical therapy, as I only knew about it through a friend's experience. If I hadn't been informed about this option, there are likely other mothers who are also unaware of its availability.
Following a recommendation from my friend, I arranged an initial meeting with a physical therapist. During this session, I discovered a three-finger-width gap between my abdominal muscles, with discomfort around my c-section scar attributed to extensive scar tissue. The therapy sessions have been centered on specific abdominal exercises to address my diastasis recti and focused massages on the c-section scar. Since my first appointment, I have been attending weekly sessions and have witnessed remarkable improvements. Working closely with two therapists specializing in postpartum recovery and connective tissue, I have found a sense of relief and validation in understanding that pain is not normal and that I can regain strength and live pain-free once more.
During one of my appointments, I mentioned in passing that I have been experiencing more frequent neck pain and migraines than usual. Although I have always dealt with these issues, they have intensified since I became pregnant. My therapists are now focused on identifying the source of the pain, and they suspect that the increased discomfort is likely a result of lifting heavy weights (my children) without sufficient core strength. While I am naturally prone to migraines and neck pain, my body has been attempting to compensate for the lack of core strength.
I am quickly realizing the interconnectedness of the body. The trauma my body went through during two consecutive twin pregnancies and subsequent c-sections within twenty-two months continues to affect my daily life nearly two years post-delivery. If it weren't for my friend, I would be experiencing much more pain and discomfort than I currently am. Society often conveys to mothers that enduring such challenges is just a natural part of motherhood. It's common to hear that our bodies will "never be the same." While this may be true, it doesn't imply that our bodies cannot be resilient. It doesn't mean we should accept living in pain or discomfort.
As mothers advocating for our health and wellbeing, we can bring postpartum care and support to the fore front. We can demand the support, resources and education we desperately want and need. Talk to other moms about what you are experiencing and check in on new moms in your life. We need to be there advocating for each other because our healthcare system is not there yet.
If your social circle is limited, let me be the friend who assures you that you do not need to face pain alone. You do not have to go through postpartum depression and anxiety in isolation. If something seems wrong, don't hesitate to reach out to someone - a friend, a healthcare provider, your partner, or anyone else. Avoid isolating yourself as I did during the postpartum phase. Open up about your emotions to others. Recognize the challenges as they are genuine. You do not have to pretend to have everything perfectly managed because none of us do. Most importantly, you do not have to endure living in pain.
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