What No One Tells You About Postpartum

Written By Jessy .

The Real Answers You Deserve

You prepare for birth for months — maybe years.

You read the books, take the classes, pack the hospital bag.

And then the baby arrives…

and suddenly no one is really talking about what happens next.

Postpartum is often brushed off as “the hard part” you just push through. But for many moms, it’s the most confusing, emotional, and vulnerable season of all.

These are the real questions moms ask — often quietly, often at 2 a.m. — and the grounded answers you deserve.

As a postpartum doula supporting families in Edmonton and Spruce Grove, I hear these every single week.

Let’s talk about them.

1. Why do I feel so emotional after having a baby?

Short answer: because your body and brain just went through something massive.

After birth, estrogen and progesterone drop rapidly — one of the biggest hormonal shifts the human body experiences. On top of that, you’re healing physically, sleeping in fragments, and suddenly responsible for a tiny human.

Crying easily, mood swings, feeling overwhelmed, or emotionally raw are extremely common in the early weeks postpartum.

This doesn’t mean you’re weak.

It means you’re postpartum.

2. Is it normal to cry every day postpartum?

Yes — especially in the first couple of weeks.

Up to 80% of mothers experience the “baby blues,” which can include daily crying, irritability, and feeling emotionally sensitive.

If crying:

  • lasts longer than two weeks

  • feels heavy or hopeless

  • or is paired with anxiety, numbness, or feeling disconnected

that’s a sign extra support could help — and that’s okay.

3. Why am I so anxious after having a baby?

Postpartum anxiety is extremely common and often misunderstood.

It can look like:

  • Constant worry or racing thoughts

  • Fear something bad will happen

  • Trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps

  • Feeling on edge all the time

Many moms think, “I shouldn’t feel this anxious — nothing is wrong.”

But anxiety isn’t about logic. It’s about a nervous system that’s overloaded and exhausted.

You’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.

4. What if I don’t feel like myself anymore?

This is one of the most common postpartum questions — and one of the least talked about.

Postpartum doesn’t just change your body.

It shifts your identity, your priorities, your nervous system, and your sense of self.

Feeling disconnected, unsure, or like the “old you” is gone doesn’t mean you’re lost forever. It means you’re in transition.

Support helps that transition feel less lonely — and less overwhelming.

5. What if I love my baby but still hate postpartum?

This is more common than people admit.

You can love your baby deeply and struggle with postpartum.

Both things can exist at the same time.

Postpartum can be:

  • physically uncomfortable

  • emotionally intense

  • isolating

  • exhausting

Struggling doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful.

It means this season is hard.

6. Why does sleep deprivation hit so hard?

Because sleep deprivation affects everything — mood, anxiety, memory, patience, and emotional regulation.

Sleeping in 1–3 hour stretches for weeks can:

  • increase anxiety

  • worsen mood swings

  • mimic depression symptoms

  • reduce coping ability

This is why rest is not a luxury postpartum — it’s a need.

Even small amounts of supported sleep can make a noticeable difference.

7. When should I ask for postpartum help?

A simple rule of thumb:

👉 If you’re wondering whether you need help, it’s probably time to reach out.

Postpartum support isn’t just for “crisis moments.”

It’s preventative care.

Support can be helpful if you:

  • feel overwhelmed most days

  • cry often

  • feel anxious or tense

  • dread nighttime

  • feel isolated

  • are googling answers late at night

You don’t need to wait until you’re burnt out.

8. What does postpartum support actually look like?

Postpartum support is about caring for the mother — not just the baby.

At Little Life After, postpartum doula support may include:

  • overnight newborn care so you can rest

  • emotional support without judgment

  • reassurance and normalization

  • feeding support that respects your choices

  • light household help to reduce mental load

The goal isn’t to “fix” you.

It’s to help you feel supported, rested, and less alone while you recover.

9. Does getting help mean I’m not coping well?

No.

It means you’re listening to your body and nervous system.

Postpartum was never meant to be done alone. Historically, mothers were supported by family and community during recovery.

Asking for help isn’t a failure.

It’s wisdom.

10. Will this get easier?

Yes — especially with support.

Postpartum doesn’t last forever, even though it can feel endless when you’re in it.

With rest, reassurance, and the right support, many moms find:

  • their anxiety eases

  • their emotions stabilize

  • they feel more confident

  • they reconnect with themselves

You don’t need to rush this season — but you don’t have to suffer through it either.

You Are Not Broken. You Are Postpartum.

If you’re in Edmonton, Spruce Grove, or surrounding areas and looking for gentle, grounded postpartum support, Little Life After is here for you.

You deserve care.

You deserve rest.

You deserve support — too.

👉 Book Your Free Consultation
Let’s talk about what you need most, and how we can make the fourth trimester feel supported—not overwhelming.

Jessy .