The Mama Perspective

16.5 months postpartum after baby number two, and I’m still learning what this version of motherhood looks like.

Postpartum has been one of the most difficult stages of my life. You’re given this immense bundle of happiness to hold in your arms – literally. You love them more than you could ever explain, and yet the mental exhaustion, worry, anxiety and sheer responsibility don’t just disappear because you’re grateful.

If anything, I’ve learnt that two things can exist at the same time.

You can be incredibly grateful and completely exhausted. You can love motherhood and still find it really hard. You can feel happy and still have days where you’re running on empty.

Today, I’m 16.5 months postpartum, and I feel tired but grateful. I’ve realised a lot about the people who are in and out of our lives during this season of life. Motherhood has a funny way of showing you what – and who – actually matters.

More than anything, I’ve realised that our family unit is what matters most.

Any noise surrounding that takes a back seat or, to be honest, doesn’t hold a place at all. It’s insignificant to me now. My energy is limited, and I don’t want to spend it worrying about things that don’t contribute to the happiness, health and wellbeing of our little family.

I want to protect our peace. I went to the doctors today to have my thyroid checked, as my levothyroxine dosage had to be changed again three months ago. And for the first time in maybe 3–4 years, my weight was finally classed as “healthy”.

Now, I know how damaging BMI and the NICE guidance notes you receive after an appointment can be to read. Numbers can sometimes feel like they carry far more meaning than they actually do, especially when you’re navigating postpartum body changes, recovery and everything that comes with having children.

But for me, today wasn’t really about the number or the label. It was about knowing that I’ve been making a conscious effort to look after my mind and my body more. To make better choices where I can. To move my body. To pay attention to how I’m feeling. And, after everything my body has been through, it was about recognising that I’m finally starting to feel a little more like me again.

Not the old me. Not the pre-baby me. But me, now.

A mum of two. 16.5 months postpartum. Still figuring it all out, still having good days and hard days, but learning to appreciate my body for everything it has done and continues to do.

There’s still a long way to go, but for the first time in a while, I’m not looking at my body and thinking about everything I want to change.

I’m looking at it and feeling proud of how far it’s come. And most of all, trying to love myself more every day as an example to my kids to love themselves too no matter what life throws our way.