Preparing for Postpartum: Why it matters as much as pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, the focus is on the baby and the birth. You’re tracking their development on an app, painting the nursery, folding tiny newborn clothes, packing your hospital bag and perfecting your birth plan. But few people ask: what happens next? What about the days, weeks, and months after birth, the part where your own transformation into motherhood truly begins?

Here’s the truth no one really tells you about. Postpartum is a season of huge change;physically, emotionally, and hormonally, it can be overwhelming to a new mother and it deserves just as much preparation as pregnancy and birth. There’s even a word for this transition: matrescence. It describes the physical, emotional, social and spiritual shift that happens when you become a mum. Just like adolescence, it’s a powerful and sometimes messy transformation of hormones and identity, it takes time, patience and support.

Personally, I didn’t know any of this when I became a mum. I believed I’d “bounce back” after birth, that life would carry on much as before, only with a little one in tow. Instead, I felt like the ground had shifted beneath me. My days were consumed by my baby’s needs, while I was left unsure how to care for myself. I was overwhelmed by endless questions; feeding, sleeping, nappies, you name it. All while running on empty: sleep-deprived, nutritionally depleted, and still healing from birth. I remember sitting there, exhausted and tearful, thinking: why didn’t anyone tell me about this part?

That’s why we created Life Postpartum—because we are passionate that mothers deserve better.

Why preparing for postpartum matters

Think of preparing for postpartum as a gift to your future self. When you’ve got a newborn in your arms, the last thing you want to be worrying about is what’s for dinner, how you’ll find time to rest, or who you can ask about your baby’s feeding patterns.

Research shows that maternal nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and social support all play a role in recovery and can reduce the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety (WHO, 2022, NHS, 2023). A little preparation now can make a world of difference later.

Here are five key areas to focus on when preparing for postpartum recovery:

1. Nourishment for recovery

Your body is healing, producing milk and sustaining life (if you’re breastfeeding), and working harder than ever. The right foods can help repair, rebuild strength and balance energy levels. Key nutrients to focus on include:

• Protein (e.g. eggs, fish, lentils) to repair tissues and support healing.

• Iron (e.g. leafy greens, red meat, beans) to restore levels after blood loss during birth.

• Omega-3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon, chia seeds, walnuts) to support brain health and may even reduce risk of postpartum depression.

• Calcium and Vitamin D (e.g. dairy, fortified foods, sunlight exposure) for bone health and overall recovery.

• Fiber (e.g. oats, fruit, vegetables) to ease digestion and prevent constipation.

Before birth, stock your freezer with meals and snacks rich in these nutrients—it’s one of the kindest things you can do for yourself.

2. Rest and boundaries

Create space for slowing down. That might mean setting boundaries for visitors, preparing cosy feeding spaces, or ensuring your home is practical for those long nights (think good books, a tv series and lots of snacks!). Rest is not a luxury—it’s essential for recovery, do not feel guilty for needing this time and ask for help when you can. 

3. Caring for your changing body and hormones

Your body is amazing, but it needs gentle care to recover. Postpartum isn’t about “getting your body back”—it’s about reconnecting with it in a safe, supportive way. Gentle movement, pelvic floor care, and listening to your body are all part of the healing process.

It’s also important to remember that your hormones shift dramatically in the weeks after birth. Levels of estrogen and progesterone drop quickly, which can trigger mood swings and tearfulness—often called the baby blues. For some women, these hormonal changes can also contribute to postpartum depression or anxiety. Knowing this ahead of time can help you and your partner prepare emotionally and remind you that what you’re feeling is real and valid.

4. Emotional support (for you and your partner)

This part is huge. Surround yourself with people who make you feel seen, whether that’s friends, family, or a community of mums who understand. Social and emotional support in early motherhood has been shown to significantly improve wellbeing (APA, 2020).

It’s also worth preparing your partner (if you have one). Postpartum is not just your transition—it’s theirs too. Helping them understand what matrescence involves, the hormonal shifts you’ll be navigating, and the kind of support you’ll need can make a big difference for both of you. You've developed your birth plan together, why not discuss your postpartum plan?

5. Expert guidance when you need it

At Life.Postpartum, our team of nutritionists, midwives, physiotherapists, psychologists and other postpartum experts are here to guide you through your personalised action plan. Because while your baby may consume most of your thoughts, it’s reassuring to have trusted professionals to turn to for those endless questions about recovery, feeding, mental health and sleep. 

From our story to our mission

Life Postpartum was born out of both struggle and hope. Our own postpartum journeys left us feeling unprepared, isolated, and overwhelmed, yet also in awe of what new mothers achieve every day. We kept asking ourselves: there has to be a better way to support women during this vulnerable, transformative time. And so, we created something we wished we’d had, an expert-led platform for mothers that nurtures every part of them: physically, emotionally, hormonally, and with trusted guidance for both mum and baby.

You deserve this

Preparing for postpartum doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It’s about creating a foundation of support, guidance, and nourishment for yourself, so that when your baby arrives, you feel seen and supported. Motherhood is more than just a role, it’s a profound transformation and a happy mum equals a happy baby!

Explore our resources and expert-led support at Life Postpartum—because you deserve care too.

www.lifepostpartum.com

@Life_postpartum