In this episode of the Postpartum Prep Podcast, I spoke with postpartum care provider Carla Mulhing about what true postpartum support can look like. We explored why rest matters so much after birth and why asking for help can feel difficult.
The bottom line? Modern motherhood often disconnects women from the support they truly need.
Postpartum recovery is not just physical. It is emotional, mental, relational, and cultural too.
Read on for the episode highlights, and be sure to check out the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Postpartum Recovery Requires a Different Pace
Carla explained that postpartum asks mothers to enter a completely different rhythm of life. During postpartum, mothers need to rest, receive support, and focus on healing.
That sounds simple in theory. In reality, many women struggle with it.
After birth, everything changes. The pace of life slows down. Roles shift. The family dynamic changes. On top of everything else, you’re also now caring for a newborn.
Carla highlighted one postpartum recovery challenge that was particularly surprising for me to hear. She shared that many women can feel restless during postpartum recovery. Even when the baby is sleeping, staying in bed can feel emotionally difficult. Modern culture places so much value on productivity, independence, and being busy. Because of this, slowing down can feel uncomfortable for some postpartum moms.
The 7-7-7 Approach to Postpartum Recovery
The goal is to protect healing during the early postpartum period. But often, new mothers have never even seen true postpartum rest modeled before.
During the episode, Carla shared the “7-7-7” postpartum recovery framework:
7 days in bed
7 days on the bed
7 days around the bed
The first week focuses on staying horizontal as much as possible. This supports rest and reduces pressure on the pelvic floor and womb.
The next phase still emphasizes rest but allows slightly more movement.
The final phase slowly introduces more activity while keeping the mother centered in her recovery space.
This is similar to the “5-5-5” postpartum recovery framework:
5 days in bed
5 days on the bed
5 days around the bed
However, Carla believes many mothers benefit from longer and slower healing than modern culture encourages.
Why Rest Matters Physically
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was Carla’s explanation of what happens physically during postpartum recovery.
Pregnancy stretches the ligaments supporting the womb over many months. These ligaments then need time to heal after birth.
The pelvic floor is also healing during postpartum recovery, regardless of whether the birth was vaginal or cesarean.
At the same time, the womb remains heavy after birth. This can add pressure to the pelvic floor.
Rest is required to support healing during this time. Excessive movement, standing too long, lifting heavy items, or returning to normal activity too quickly can increase the risk of long-term problems after birth.
Why Asking for Help Can Feel So Hard
We also discussed the emotional side of postpartum recovery.
Many women struggle to ask for support. Carla explained that this often comes back to deeper beliefs about worthiness, productivity, and rest.
Some mothers feel guilty receiving care. Others fear being judged.
Many were raised watching women push through exhaustion without support.
Carla shared a powerful reminder during the episode:
“Having our needs met as mothers is never selfish.”
When mothers are supported, babies benefit too.
We also explored how your mother and/or mother-in-law can sometimes react strongly to postpartum boundaries or rest. Often, this comes from their own unmet needs and experiences. In the episode, Carla offers several practical tips around boundary setting to help navigate tricky family dynamics during postpartum.
Postpartum Recovery Was Never Meant To Happen Alone
One of the clearest messages from this episode is that postpartum recovery requires support.
Postpartum support might include:
Practical help
Emotional support
Nourishing meals
Bodywork
Many mothers are trying to recover while also managing everything else alone. That was never how postpartum was meant to be.
If you are pregnant or newly postpartum, this episode offers a grounding and compassionate perspective on healing after birth.
You can listen to the full conversation on the Postpartum Prep Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.