Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy

by Ruth E. Macy PT DPT, Courtney Naliboff

A comprehensive, one-of-a-kind, evidence-based handbook to support postpartum healing and recovery

What should you expect when you’re done expecting? Too many of us think that there’s no way to fix everyday concerns after a pregnancy, such as pelvic floor issues, exhaustion and burnout, and getting back into a fitness routine. But it’s simply not true. With this revolutionary resource in hand, you’ll learn what happens to the body during pregnancy and childbirth, common changes in function and feeling, and solutions for healing. The Postpartum Human was written with expertise by a pelvic floor physical therapist who wants you to know that you can feel like yourself again—physically and mentally.
You’ve probably heard plenty of anecdotes about what might help or hurt (to Kegel or not to Kegel?), but they’re not necessarily backed up with medical expertise and practical advice. The Postpartum Human fills that gap as a complete reference guide for every eventuality, from making sure you’re getting enough fluids to troubleshooting breastfeeding to pelvic floor recovery, with helpful illustrations and photos throughout.
While your body is undoubtedly different (after all, you just grew a human!), you do not have to live with pain, incontinence, weakness, or nursing/feeding stress. You now hold the tools and techniques you need to heal and nourish your body and mind.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

352 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Anne]

Really appreciated this book's approach and the fact that they give you the questions you should be asking your doctor, along with follow up questions as they know doctors are sometimes unlikely to give a very personalized response. Also had a helpful chapter on running that I will take a look at when I'm a little more healed.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative book that I would recommend to any first-time mom. I took notes and scanned several pages that I'll want to reference later. There's some great charts, breastfeeding help, questions to ask in a postpartum follow-up appt, exercise guides and more. Besides the nonsense terms used throughout like "chest feeding", "chest tissue", "assigned female at birth", "postpartum person", etc...this is a great book.

[Anlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got much more out of this book than the $150+ per session visits I had with a pelvic PT! Very thorough. But I wish there were supplementary videos or something for the exercises (how tedious to read through directions — I’m probably doing them all wrong! So a good reason to go to the in person PT after all).

[Cassie Rosen · Rating 1 out of 5]

(1.5) useful info but too dull. I was already sleepy during the postpartum, but this helped put me to sleep many times

[Christine Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Postpartum body I am coming for you whether you like it or not 👊🏼 This book is an excellent resource and provides helpful information about taking care of your body after baby. I utterly hated the postpartum period with all my four pregnancies and now getting ready to have my fifth I feel at ease and have the reassurance that listening and taking care of my body is vital. I loved all the resources, exercises, tips and stories shared in this book. I checked this book out from my local library, but I know I will definitely buy this for my bookshelf and gift it to preggo friends!

[Camille Daigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book 12 years ago!!

I was gifted this book because after having my two relatively large babies 11 & 6 years ago. I have been having progressively worse bladder incontinence and I was hoping to get some advice. I was pleasantly surprised by not only that section, but there was so much other fantastic advice and tips about healing from the many changes we experience after childbirth both mentally and physically.

Ruth and Courtney have made an easy to follow guide with photo examples, charts and tips covering everything from managing incontenance, to PPD and getting back to exercising safely.

I would gift this to anyone expecting, or having given birth before.

[ProsePioneer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great informative book. I was saddened by the nonsense like chest feeding and other inclusive language.
This is a woman's book for women.

Other than that, I think it was highly researched. I wish I had it when I had my first.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the various complications that can affect the postpartum body with recommendations for rehab. Some sections can be skipped over if they aren’t relevant for your body.

[Mallory Haar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great politics and is unabashedly designed to be a support for folks for whom personal therapy may not be accessible.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I regularly recommend it to friends, colleagues and clients.

[Alisha Cox]

Chalked full of information - definitely something I will revisit once I hit that postpartum period 6 months from now.

[Gabby Villarreal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational for anyone who is looking to get back into exercise postpartum - has a ton of exercises, progressions, modifications and guides.