Postpartum Realness: Rib Pain, Sciatica, & Snuggles with Baby Cherry

Okay you guys, ngl, it's been pretty nice to not be pregnant anymore hahah. Like, immediately after Cherry got here, so much of that constant ache just... disappeared. And now I get to hold my sweet girl? My heart could burst :,) I mean, I love being pregnant, I really do. It's such a miracle and I feel so lucky every single time to carry one of my babies. But also, let's be real, the end of pregnancy is a whole different beast, right? And when it's over, there's this weird mix of emotions – pure joy bc baby is here, but also this massive wave of relief that your body can start to feel like *yours* again, even just a little bit. And that's totally okay to feel, btw. No shame in that game.

The Instant Relief: My Body Said THANK YOU

I swear, the second Cherry was out, it was like my body just exhaled. I'm not even kidding. For weeks, maybe even months, leading up to her arrival, I had this constant, dull ache in my ribs. Especially on my right side. It was like she was just camped out right under there, using my ribs as her personal hammock or something. And then the sciatica! Oh my gosh, the sciatica. If you've had it, you know. That shooting pain down your leg, sometimes both legs, that makes walking, sitting, standing – basically existing – feel like a challenge. It's like your body is just protesting everything you ask it to do. I remember trying to get out of bed in the morning and just having to brace myself for that first jolt of pain. Tanner would always be there to help me, bless his heart, bc sometimes I just couldn't do it on my own. He's seriously the best hype man and helper ever. I couldn't imagine doing any of this without him. We're a team, always.

But then, poof! Cherry arrives, and it was like someone flipped a switch. The rib pain? Gone. The sciatica? Seriously, it was like it never even happened. I remember thinking, 'Wait, is this real? Am I allowed to feel this good?' It was such a wild, immediate change. It's almost hard to explain if you haven't experienced it. It’s not like everything was instantly perfect, obviously. I just had a baby, hello! But those specific, nagging pains that had become my constant companions? They just packed up and left. And it was glorious. Truly. I didn't realize how much they were weighing on me until they were gone. It’s like carrying a heavy backpack for months and then finally being able to set it down. You don't realize how tired your shoulders are until the weight is lifted.

Hello, Baby Cherry! The Best Kind of Weight

And then, the best part. The absolute best part of not being pregnant anymore is getting to hold my baby. My sweet, tiny, perfect Cherry. Like, I get to hold her in my arms, not just feel her wiggling around inside. It's a totally different kind of connection. That skin-to-skin contact, the smell of her head, her tiny little fingers gripping mine. It's everything. It makes all the discomfort, all the sleepless nights, all the emotional rollercoasters of pregnancy totally worth it. Every single second. I just look at her and my heart melts into a puddle. I mean, look at her! She's perfect. She's just the sweetest, most calm little angel. Stella and Ozzy are obsessed with her too, which is just the cutest thing to watch. They want to hold her all the time, give her kisses, tell her stories. It's just pure magic watching them become big sisters.

I remember with Stella and Ozzy, it was the same feeling. That immediate rush of love and relief. Each pregnancy journey is so unique, but that moment of meeting them for the first time? It's universal. It's like your heart expands to make room for this brand new, tiny human that you've loved for so long but are only just now getting to truly know. And knowing that my body did that? That it grew these three amazing little girls? It's just humbling. I'm so grateful. My mom raised me as a single mom, and she's always been my biggest inspiration. Seeing her strength and love, it just makes me want to be the best mom I can be for my girls. I want them to know how much they're loved, every single day.

Giving Yourself Grace: Postpartum is a Journey

Now, I'm not saying postpartum is a walk in the park. Ngl, it's still a lot. Your body just did a marathon, right? So there's still healing, there's still exhaustion, there's still hormones doing their thing. But for me, getting rid of those specific pregnancy-related pains was such a huge mental and physical boost. It allowed me to focus more on Cherry, on healing, and on just soaking in these precious newborn moments. I'm trying to give myself so much grace right now. Like, a lot. I'm not rushing anything. I'm listening to my body. If I need to rest, I rest. If I need to just sit on the couch and snuggle Cherry all day, that's what I do. The dishes can wait, the laundry can pile up a little. This time is so fleeting, and I don't want to miss a second of it. Tanner is amazing at helping me remember that, too. He's always like, 'Just rest, babe. I got it.' He truly does. He's such a hands-on dad and husband, and I'm so lucky.

I think it's so important for us as moms to remember that it's okay to feel all the feelings during postpartum. It's okay to feel relieved that pregnancy is over, and it's okay to feel completely overwhelmed, and it's okay to feel like you're floating on a cloud of pure love. All of it is normal. Your body just did something incredible, and it needs time to recover, to adjust, and to bond with your new little one. Don't compare your journey to anyone else's. Your experience is unique, and it's valid. Just do what feels right for you and your family. And lean on your people! Your partner, your friends, your family. They're there to help. I'm so grateful for my village, especially my mom. She's always been my rock.

Embracing the New Normal (and the New Aches)

Of course, new aches and pains pop up with a newborn hahah. Like, my arms are getting a workout from holding Cherry all the time, and my back is definitely feeling the effects of all the rocking and nursing. But it's a different kind of pain. It's a 'love pain,' if that makes sense? It's directly related to snuggling my baby, and honestly, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It’s a testament to how much I’m holding her, how much I’m loving on her. And that's a pain I'm happy to have. It's a reminder of these precious, fleeting moments. I know one day I'll miss these sleepy snuggles and the feeling of her tiny head on my chest. So I'm just trying to soak it all in, every single second.

So yeah, ngl, it's pretty nice to not be pregnant anymore, especially with those specific pains gone. But the best part, the absolute best part, is having my sweet Cherry earthside and in my arms. Heaven on earth fr :,) I love this so much. I love my girls so much. And I'm just so grateful for this beautiful, messy, wonderful life. Sending all my love to you guys! Remember to be kind to yourselves, especially if you're in the thick of pregnancy or postpartum. You're doing amazing, mama. You really are. ❤