Postpartum Is Not 6 Weeks
Honoring the Season of Slow
Today's culture praises new mothers for “bouncing back” after having a baby. They’re applauded for returning to work, running errands, and losing the “baby weight” just weeks after giving birth. They’re praised for appearing and living as though their lives are not undergoing a major transformational shift.
But what if we stopped measuring recovery by speed and instead focused on what mothers actually need?
Because here’s the truth: Postpartum is not six weeks. Postpartum is a season.
Honoring the sacred time of a woman's transition from maiden to mother creates a solid foundation — and respecting this should be considered essential.
The Medical Definition Misses the Mark
In Western medicine, postpartum is defined as the six-week period after birth — the time it takes for hormone levels and the uterus to return to their non-pregnant state. At the six-week check-up, most mothers are given the “all clear” to resume their lives and activities. But this often leads to depletion, as women are expected to carry on as if nothing has changed.
At six weeks postpartum, most mothers are still in the throes of recovery and adjusting to an entirely new reality. Life with a newborn is nowhere near what it was before — physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Reducing postpartum to six weeks ignores the profound transformation of becoming a mother.
What We Can Learn from Traditional Cultures
Traditional cultures did it differently. For thousands of years, cultures around the world deeply valued the importance of nurturing this ordinary but extraordinary transition.
They honored an extended period of healing and adjustment for mothers after birth, during which female relatives and other women in the community would nourish her with ceremonial foods, tend to her needs, and relieve her of all responsibilities.
These traditions have many names:
In Latin America: La Cuarentena (“quarantine”)
In Malaysia: Pantang Bersalin ("post-birth forbidden period")
In China: Zuo Yuezi (“sitting the month”)
In Korea: Sanhujori (“postpartum care”)
Each tradition has its differences, but they all center around one principle: protecting the mother and baby during this sacred window.
The mother’s only job? To rest, replenish, and care for her newborn.
Support, Nourishment & Recovery
So, what should postpartum care look like?
Support and Rest: Asking for help can be hard, but do it anyway. Whether it’s from your partner, family, or friends — your body will thank you.
Nourishment: Prioritize soft, warm, nutrient-dense foods that are easy to digest. Stay hydrated. Meal trains can be a lifesaver in the early days.
Recovery: You may experience unexpected discomfort and hormonal shifts following birth. Your body may be leaking in ways it’s never done before. Give yourself grace while you recover.
Better Terms For This Sacred Season
New language is helping shift the perception of postpartum:
The Fourth Trimester: Originally defined as the baby’s first three months, this term has recently expanded to encompass the mother’s physical and emotional experience during this period as well.
Matrescence: Refers to the developmental phase when a woman becomes a mother. Like adolescence, this is a time when hormones surge, the body changes, and identity shifts. There’s no fixed timeline — it looks different for everyone and can re-emerge with each child.
The First 40 Days: As the name suggests, this refers to the first 40 days following birth. A time reserved for rest, nourishment, and isolation from the outside world to support this adjustment.
There Is No "Bouncing Back"
Let’s be honest — motherhood changes you.
Becoming a parent is one of the most transformative times in the human experience. During the postpartum period, women discover new aspects of themselves, both as individuals and as mothers. The idea of “bouncing back” from something so profound simply doesn’t make sense.
That’s not to say many mothers don’t experience challenges during postpartum, or sometimes long for aspects of their lives pre-baby. And of course, those feelings are more than okay. But even so, it’s not about going “backwards” — it’s about moving forward, slowly and intentionally, through something entirely new.
When we listen to women’s lived experiences, it becomes clear: the real postpartum journey lasts far longer than six weeks. For many, it takes months — even years.
Let’s Redefine Postpartum — Together
Our culture needs a new definition of postpartum — one that stretches beyond six weeks and honors the mother as deeply as it does the baby.
Let’s shift the way we view postpartum — not as a return to before, but as a tender, sacred rebirth.
Join us in advocating for postpartum as the season of slow!
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