Birth stories are powerful. Giving birth is not only about having babies; it’s also about motherhood and parenthood. The magnitude of having a baby is often minimized by society, so when we struggle with aspects of it, we can feel alone with those feelings. Sharing birth stories is not only about providing or collecting information; it is also about community.

Parenthood. A state of never actually being alone but at the same time feeling so alone. 

No matter how much one desires parenthood, it always rocks one’s world in unanticipated ways. Because how could we know? How could we even imagine the level of tired we can sustain until we have to? How could we imagine all of our previous identities falling away as this amazing little being sucks up every bit of us?

Everywhere I looked I was failing. I wasn’t being this amazing, perfect parent I dreamed. I could hear the echoes of my own voice, voices of my former selves - those selves that didn’t and couldn’t understand my current place in life because they had never experienced it before. And here is where I fell into the trap of thinking what I could give at that moment was not enough.

I find most people - me, probably you, pregnant people, primary caregivers for small children - do not give themselves credit where credit is due.

“Buy the paper plates!” has become a kind of mantra for me in the years since. It is my personal reminder of equanimity and self-compassion. It is the way I tell myself to do what I can when I can. Can I acknowledge my state and my needs without judgment? Can I meet myself where I am? Sometimes in yoga class that means taking an extra prop. Sometimes in life that means using an extra prop like paper plates.

Let’s take some inspiration from endurance athletes and bring intention and focus to the recovery period by focusing on nutrition and sleep. I know, I know, that last one there makes all new parents roll their eyes. Sleep deprivation is something I’m still dealing with and my youngest is 19-months-old… When will it ever end?!?! The fact that sleep deprivation is normal for parents of young children doesn’t change the fact that our recovery will be enhanced, that we will get the most bang for our buck, by embracing these two main recovery techniques.

Low back pain affects a large portion of the pregnant and postnatal population. Often pregnancy can lead to imbalances in the body that cause this. I have put together a routine of my favorite five, simple moves that can be added to your day to help ease low back pain.