It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Why Postpartum Self-Care Matters More Than Ever
There’s this pressure (spoken or unspoken)
for new moms to "bounce back" quickly,
both physically and emotionally.
To look rested.
To feel grateful.
To smile through the hard parts.
But the truth?
Postpartum is raw.
It's overwhelming.
It's beautiful and brutal at the same time.
And you’re not alone if you don’t feel okay.
In fact, it truly does take a village 🫶
1. Postpartum Mental Health Isn’t Just About PPD
When we hear "maternal mental health," most people think of postpartum depression. But anxiety, rage, OCD, and PTSD are also common, and they’re all valid.
📌 If you’re feeling like you can’t turn off your mind, cry constantly, or feel detached, it’s worth reaching out.
2. Self-Care Is a Survival Tool, Not a Luxury
Forget bubble baths and spa days (unless you love those). Real postpartum self-care is about sleep, nourishment, boundaries, and time to just be.
💛 Sometimes, self-care looks like saying “no” to visitors and “yes” to a nap or asking someone else to hold the baby while you shower.
3. Support Can Be Professional AND Personal
Therapists, doulas, lactation consultants, and support groups can make a world of difference. So can your best friend who checks in every few days or your partner who makes dinner without being asked.
🫶 You weren’t meant to raise a baby, or recover, alone.
4. It’s Not Weak to Ask for Help. It’s Smart!
The strongest thing you can do is speak up. Whether that’s texting your doula, calling your OB, or reaching out to a mental health provider, it’s a step toward healing.
🌈 You deserve to feel supported, seen, and safe.
5. Healing Is Not Linear. But It Is Possible.
Some days will feel heavier than others. Some weeks you’ll thrive, others you’ll barely survive. But with support, space, and self-care, it does get lighter.
✨ And no, you’re not failing. You’re healing.
Your well-being is not a side note.
It’s the foundation. Maternal mental health is health. Whether you’re struggling quietly or openly, please know this: help is here, and you’re not alone.
💛 At Sun & Stars Birth Services, we’re honored to walk with you through it all.
