The first time I lay down on my yoga mat, a few days after childbirth
Worried about my rounded body and my increased abdominal girth
I realized my back no longer touched the surface of the mat
I had lumbar lordosis, an exaggerated concave lower back arch
I wondered why postpartum diets are so restrictive,
With inadequate protein and lots of starch
Why does no one speak of this in postpartum care?
Why is it mostly about the baby, focus on the mother being very rare!
How come the postpartum care list does not include
Healing diastasis recti, physiotherapy to strengthen the pelvic floor?
Why aren’t postpartum women allowed to step outside the door?
Oxymorons, paradoxes, a journey full of contradictions.
Conflicting emotions of every colour and shape.
Navigating these complex circumstances is tough
Women may benefit from hiding under an imaginary invisibility cape.
Anxiety, a constant companion. Guilt, a close friend.
Shame, an unwelcome guest.
A joy so fresh and new, engulfing women in a warm glow…
Sometimes, we do not mind setting aside our priorities and taking it slow.
Pregnancies start and end in ways one least expects
Yet, if things go wrong, women are treated as if they are crime suspects…
Miscarriages draw copious amounts of blame.
Pregnancy after infertility seems like a precious, expensive time game.
The mode of delivery, receiving compassionate care,
Is a matter of access, affordability, and multiple systemic factors at play
Of all the people involved, the woman in question most often has the least say.
Urban, rural, working, or moms who stay at home
The reproductive journey is showered with unwarranted dos and don'ts
Bullying that is disguised as advice, hurtful, and harsh
At times, support can be stifling, as if navigating a messy marsh!
Women’s freedom diminishes, and their identities shift
Lives take on a drastically different hue…
True support systems for mothers are far apart and few.
Taunts are ample from family, neighbours, strangers, and even friends…
Being the default caregiver, she is expected to do it all,
No space for mistakes or amends.
Women are often shamed for the choices they make
Labels are handed out, their character always at stake.
Yet they grow resilient or take things in their stride
Trying to break toxic patterns, while warming up for the ride.
At times there is peace, at some times there is overwhelm to no end
If not a dozen, women at least need one kind helping hand, godsent.
Edited by Christianez Ratna Kiruba
Image by Janvi Bokoliya
