50. How to Thrive (not just Survive) Postpartum: 8 Critical Tips to Navigate Postpartum as a Military Mom (Part 2)

Postpartum is incredibly demanding. For most of us, especially as first time moms, it’s probably the hardest thing we’ve ever gone through. Not only are we dealing with the physical recovery from birth and figuring out how to care for a new baby, but there are SO many other factors that make this timeframe tough to navigate.

 

And as military moms returning to our demanding job and schedules, dealing with stigmas, and feeling all the pressure to bounce back to the height & weight and fitness standards, it can be even harder to find balance. Yet even with all of its challenges, the 24/7 pouring yourself out, the huge changes & transitions that come, the inevitable sleep deprivation, the finding your footing & purpose again in work, and arduous postpartum fitness journeys, I do believe it’s possible to thrive both personally & professionally.

If someone told me this as I was postpartum with my first, I don’t know if I would’ve believed them. I felt like I was failing as a mom, and in every area of my life. But having a vastly different set of tools, strategies, education, perspective, virtual support system & depth of faith the second time around, even while stationed across the world from my husband while managing a newborn and toddler on my own & returning to Army work, preparing our family for another big military move, and managing my small business, I was no longer drowning in motherhood and all the demands. I felt a remarkable sense of peace, composure, and calm.

 

My energy levels were high in spite of getting little sleep, I was patient with myself & my body through my recovery which allowed me to FULLY heal and prevented incontinence this time as I got back to performing well on the PT test again and preparing for a 14 mile ruck and other physical demands, I was consistent with nutrition but also had a healthy relationship with food and my body, versus the toxic relationship I’d formed my first postpartum experience. I trusted my intuition as a mother. I had learned to protect my peace so I was no longer falling victim to so many things that stole my joy with my first. I had learned how to lean on others for support in my mental & emotional health. I learned how to actually find time to rest & let go of the hustle, even with a million things on my to-do-list. So many simple shifts, which made ALL the difference in feeling like I could actually enjoy this time, be the mother I wanted to be, find fulfillment in my work even through the adjustments, and not lose myself, constantly beat myself up, or fall into burnout & depletion along the way.

No matter your circumstances, no matter what your previous postpartum experiences may have been like, I promise it is possible for you to have a beautiful, empowering postpartum too.

 

In this 2-part Episode I’m revealing what I believe are the most important ways you can set yourself up to thrive too as you go through this chapter.

 

I pray this blesses you friend! Let’s dive in.

 

**An article we wrote for Army women / leaders, that I mentioned in the Episode: Athena Thriving II - A Unit Guide to Leading Pregnant & Postpartum Soldiers *Of note - there have been a couple updates to this from the new Army Directive, 2022-06, and recent parental leave policy extension. But this is still a great, comprehensive resource. So encouraging to see continued positive change!

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PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)

 

RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:

Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing greater work-life balance, with Jesus at the center. We support each other and hold one another accountable, and it's so beautiful knowing we're not alone and building our village of women both within & beyond the military.