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3. The Postpartum Body: Time to Face the Truth

Six weeks. That’s the arbitrary timeframe after which a woman’s body is supposedly “recovered” from childbirth. In reality, pain, exhaustion and physical changes last much longer. It is time to break the silence around long postpartum recovery.

“So, have you got your body back yet?” The question comes quickly, sometimes even before a mother leaves the maternity ward. It comes from relatives, coworkers and influencers in tight leggings, as if the female body, after the feat of giving birth, is expected to quietly return to its original state. The timeframe given? Six weeks – the official schedule for the postnatal check-up in France. A number carried over from a time when pelvic floor therapy did not exist and one that no longer reflects the reality of postpartum recovery.

In reality, the postpartum period is a journey, often a long one. It is marked by persistent pain, urinary incontinence, prolonged bleeding, a significant drop in hormones, extreme fatigue, decreased libido and emotional vulnerability. The body feels bruised, disoriented, and often unfamiliar. Yet this experience is frequently minimized, sometimes even denied. Many women, lacking proper information, worry when they are still suffering three months after childbirth. Others, convinced they should be fine, remain silent.

Recent research is beginning to change our understanding of postpartum recovery. According to a 2022 study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 94% of women report ongoing physical symptoms beyond six weeks. One in four still experiences perineal pain three months postpartum. About 40% suffer from severe sleep disturbances linked to chronic fatigue. And half continue to experience pain during sexual intercourse six months after giving birth. These numbers are alarming not because they are unusual but because they are largely overlooked.

The recovery of the body is slow and often incomplete. The pelvic floor, for instance, can take months to regain strength and coordination, especially after vaginal delivery or an episiotomy. Many women still lack access to pelvic floor therapy, even though it is covered by French health insurance. Others are simply unaware that such treatment exists. Similarly, abdominal separation, known as diastasis recti, is often undiagnosed despite affecting up to 60% of postpartum women. This condition causes lower back pain, digestive problems, difficulty carrying their baby, and can negatively affect body image.

Adding to these physical pains is systemic fatigue. It’s not just the interrupted nights; it’s also the constant demands on the body, never fully rested and always on alert. REM sleep, essential for mental recovery, is fragmented, sometimes altogether absent. This exhaustion increases the risk of postpartum depression, intensifies physical pain and makes any form of care more challenging. Yet few women dare to speak about it, fearing they will be seen as weak, ungrateful or bad mothers.

A Genuine Body, Not a Mere Display

This collective silence is driven by a prevailing narrative: the idea of a “perfect recovery,” a rapid return to pre-pregnancy shape, the “body back.” Across media, Instagram and fitness centers, motherhood is glamorized. Flat abs just three months after birth, toned bodies pushing strollers, bellies “back to normal.” These images are celebrated and idealized. Yet this narrative excludes most women, leaving them feeling ashamed and invisible.

The maternal body does not simply “bounce back.” It evolves, heals and transforms. This process is lengthy, personal, and often filled with mixed emotions. Some women rediscover their strength, while others feel betrayed by a body that has changed. Many fluctuate between pride in bringing a child into the world and sadness when they see their reflection. Sometimes it’s not about weight but about sensations: engorged breasts, pelvic numbness or a stretched abdomen. All of these signs deserve recognition and support.

Healthcare professionals are slowly changing their approach. The French National Health Authority now recommends broader postnatal care that goes beyond the standard six-week checkup to include psychological support, pelvic floor therapy and education about common postpartum issues. In countries like Sweden and the Netherlands, midwives make home visits for several weeks after delivery. In France, these services are available, but access varies widely depending on the region.

It’s time to bring the postpartum period out of the shadows to recognize, support, fund and honor it. To teach women from pregnancy onward that the body does not simply bounce back but undergoes a process of loss, rebuilding and change. This transformation is normal, not something to be ashamed of or a heroic feat, just a deeply human experience.