Bringing a baby into the world is magical, overwhelming, and – let’s be honest – can feel like a bit of a strange time! While much is said about sleepless nights and nappy changes, there are some truly unexpected postpartum experiences that don’t get enough airtime. So, let’s talk about the wonderfully bizarre, completely normal things your body and mind might do after birth, because knowing what’s coming makes it all a little easier to embrace!
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You Might Smell… Different
Your body is an incredible machine, and after birth, it goes into overdrive to help you bond with your baby. One (quirky!) way it does this is by slightly altering your natural scent! Many new mums notice they smell different (often stronger) in the weeks after birth. It’s thought to help newborns, who rely heavily on their sense of smell, recognise and stay close to you. It’s completely normal, and temporary too!
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Your Hair Has a Mind of Its Own
You might have had the thickest, shiniest hair of your life during pregnancy, only to find clumps of it shedding a few months postpartum. This is just your body returning to normal after holding onto extra hair during pregnancy. Many women also find that their hair changes texture or even colour! Straight hair might go wavy, curls can loosen, and some mums even discover new greys or colour shifts. Think of it as a little postpartum surprise!
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Phantom Kicks Are a Thing
Miss feeling your baby kicking around inside? You might get a little reminder – phantom kicks! Many mums report feeling movements in their belly months or even years after giving birth. It’s usually just muscle memory or your digestive system at work, but it can be a surreal experience, and one that might give you a little surprise!
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You Might Wake Up Soaking
And it’s not just from milk! Postpartum night sweats can be quite surprisingly intense. Your body is working hard to flush out all the extra fluid it retained during pregnancy, and it often does this through intense sweating at night. If you wake up drenched, don’t panic, it’s just your hormones recalibrating. Keeping cool and hydrated will help it pass quicker.
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Your Feet Could Grow (And Stay That Way)
Pregnancy hormones relax your ligaments, not just for birth but all over your body. This includes your feet, which may flatten and lengthen under the extra weight. Some women find their feet grow up to a whole shoe size, and for some, it’s permanent. A great excuse for new shoes!
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Breastfeeding Can Give You the Chills
You expect warmth and bonding with breastfeeding, but did you know it can also cause sudden shivers? Known as ‘let-down chills,’ this happens due to a rapid shift in hormones when milk is released. Some mums get goosebumps, others feel a wave of cold or an odd tugging feeling. It’s not the same for everyone so might feel a little strange, but it’s totally normal.
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Your Taste Buds Might Change
Craving food you used to hate? Or suddenly disliking an old favourite? Just like pregnancy, postpartum hormones can mess with your taste preferences. Some new mums even find they develop a sweet tooth, or even a loose one (looking after your dental health is important during pregnancy!) after giving birth.
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You Could Cry Over Anything
We all know postpartum hormones can bring tears, but what triggers them might surprise you. Some mums find themselves sobbing at the sight of an empty laundry basket (victory!), a particularly fluffy cloud, or even just the way their baby looks at them. Embrace it, it’s all part of the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood.
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You Might Feel an Unexpected Surge of Confidence
It’s not all weird symptoms; many new mums report feeling an incredible boost in self-confidence. Whether it’s from the sheer power of having grown and birthed a human, or from a new perspective on life, postpartum can bring a fresh sense of purpose and strength. Your body is amazing, and so are you!
The postpartum period is full of surprises, and while some might feel strange or unexpected, they are all part of the incredible journey your body and mind go through after birth. So, whether you’re feeling chilly from breastfeeding, buying bigger shoes, or crying over a particularly moving TV advert, know that you’re not alone. Your body is doing exactly what it needs to, and you’re doing an amazing job.
