Motherhood Reflections: "I Had Zero Education About Replenishing Myself After Birth" – Dee's Postpartum Story

Bringing a baby into the world changes everything. While so much attention is placed on preparing for labour, very little is said about preparing for what comes next.

In our TH Motherhood Reflections series, we sit down with mothers to hear honest stories about postpartum, the highs, the challenges, and the things they wish they had known before welcoming their babies.

Today, we're sharing Dee's story.

As a paediatric physiotherapist, business owner and first-time mum, Dee knows the importance of caring for others. But postpartum taught her that caring for herself was just as essential.

Meet Dee

Dee is the founder of Joy Physio For Kids and mum to her adorable 17-month-old daughter.

She's now in a season of rebuilding, finding her rhythm between motherhood, caring for her own health, and growing her business.

"Motherhood has been transformational for me. It's taught me to reflect on my priorities in life. When you have limited time, you have to choose your activities carefully. It's taught me to let go of the little things that used to bother me -dirty sinks can wait until tomorrow. Most importantly, it's taught me the importance of caring for myself, because that's the only way I can have the energy to care for my family."

It's a lesson many mothers don't fully appreciate until they're living it.

"I Was Running on Empty"

When asked what surprised her most about postpartum, Dee doesn't hesitate.

"So fatigued. I was running on empty."

The combination of a long labour, physical recovery, breastfeeding and relentless sleep deprivation left her feeling depleted in a way she hadn't anticipated.

Like many mothers, she heard the familiar advice, "Sleep when the baby sleeps."

But reality looked very different.

"It's harder than you think. Your mind is awake thinking about everything you haven't gotten to yet. You're listening for when the baby will wake. I don't think I really felt like a mum until many months in. The first few months I felt like a zombie just trying to keep my cute little roommate alive."

It's an experience countless mothers quietly share, but one that's rarely spoken about before birth.

The Nutrition No One Prepared Her For

One of Dee's biggest reflections was about her recovery, rather than her labour.

"I had zero education about replenishing myself when I came out of the hospital."

After giving birth, the body has experienced one of the most physically demanding events of a woman's life. Blood loss, fluid shifts, hormonal changes, tissue healing, milk production and profound sleep deprivation all increase the body's nutritional demands.

Yet many mothers leave hospital with little guidance beyond staying hydrated.

"After losing so much blood and exerting so much energy, I think the only thing recommended to me was electrolytes—which looking back now seems so ridiculous."

This is exactly why postpartum nourishment has remained a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years.

Rather than focusing solely on the baby, postpartum traditions recognise that a nourished mother is better equipped to heal, recover and care for her newborn.

A Gift That Changed Her Recovery

A close friend gifted the 28 day postpartum package to Dee. Looking back, she describes it as one of the most meaningful gifts she received.

"It was such a beautiful and thoughtful gift, especially when I was running on empty."

"Everything was delicious, easy to prepare and I knew I was being looked after—and baby was being looked after too while I was breastfeeding."

That peace of mind became just as valuable as the nourishment itself.

"It Gave Me Routine"

The early weeks with a newborn can feel beautifully chaotic. Days blur together. Meals are forgotten. Time disappears.

For Dee, the package became a small anchor throughout each day.

"I would have some in the morning, lunch and evening."

She also noticed something many breastfeeding mothers experience.

"I was always hungry and always thirsty. The soups really helped me feel satiated and energised, and gave me a good excuse to drink more liquids."

Rediscovering Chinese Herbal Medicine

Growing up, Dee had experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine through her parents.

Her strongest childhood memory? "It was smelly!"

The Herborium completely changed that perception.

"It's definitely changed my view on the range of herbs out there. I think The Herborium were very thoughtful in the way they curated their postpartum package to ensure it is actually tasty."

We hear this often.

The Healing Power of Slowing Down

While Dee didn't follow a strict confinement tradition, she instinctively chose to stay home during those first 30 days.

"Honestly, I didn't want to go anywhere. I enjoyed taking things slow at home with bub and my family."

Many traditional postpartum practices emphasise creating space for recovery. Rather than thinking about traditional postpartum recovery practices as rigid rules, think of it as allowing the body time to heal after pregnancy and birth.

Whether that means accepting help, eating nourishing meals, drinking warm herbal soups or simply resting more, these intentional moments of care can make a meaningful difference during the fourth trimester.

Looking Back...

If she could give one piece of advice to herself before becoming a mum, it would be simple.

"Rest more."

Three Words That Describe Postpartum

When asked to summarise postpartum in just three words, Dee chose:

Transformational. Beautiful. Harder than childbirth.

We suspect many mothers reading this will understand exactly what she means.

Thinking About Your Own Postpartum Recovery?

Preparing for postpartum isn't about striving for perfection, it's about giving yourself the support you'll appreciate when energy is low and your focus is on your new baby.

Our 28 Day Postpartum Package was designed to remove the guesswork from recovery, with daily Traditional Chinese herbal soups, nourishing tonics and warming rituals that help mothers prioritise themselves during the fourth trimester.

Whether you're expecting your first baby, preparing for your next, or searching for a truly meaningful baby shower gift, investing in postpartum nourishment is one of the greatest gifts you can give a new mother.

Because when we nourish the mother, we support the whole family.

Read on as Dee shares her experience in her own words.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself - what season of motherhood are you in and how has motherhood been like for you so far?

I am a first time mum - my girl is 17 months old now. I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. I am in the season of building myself again and getting back in to the swing of things - trying to look after my health and build my business Joy Physio For Kids in the midst of crazy toddlerhood. Motherhood has been transformational for me - it has pushed me in so many ways. It's taught me to reflect on my priorities in life - when you have limited time, you have to choose your activities carefully. It's taught me to let go of the little things that used to bother me - dirty sinks can wait til tomorrow.. It's taught me the importance of caring for myself, as it's the only way I can have the energy to care for my family.

2. How did your postpartum experience compare to what you expected? Did anything surprise you?

 SO FATIGUED - I was running on empty. The long labour, the sore bits, the breastfeeding, sleep deprivation. Everyone told me to sleep when baby slept - but it's harder than you think! Your mind is awake and alert thinking of all the things you haven't gotten to yet. You're also on high alert listening out for when your baby next wakes. I don't think I really felt like a mum til many months in.. the first few months I felt like a zombie going through the motions of keeping my new cute little roommate alive. 

3. What made you decide to try The Herborium’s 28 Day Postpartum Package, and which package did you choose?

A very dear friend of mine gifted me the 28 Day Postpartum Package with additional red dates. It was such a beautiful and thoughtful gift and just what I needed especially when I was running on empty. Everything was delicious, easy to prepare and I knew I was being looked after and baby was being looked after when it came to nutrition while I was breastfeeding. I had zero education about replenishing myself when I came out of the hospital. After losing so much blood and exerting so much energy, I think the only thing recommended to me was electrolytes, which looking back now - seems so ridiculous! It's definitely something I will be ordering again for my next bub. I've also gifted it to others as I loved it so much! 

4. Chinese herbs can be so foreign to many but we know that there are so many benefits behind this ancient wisdom. Have you used Traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese herbs before using The Herborium postpartum package? Did your perspective on Chinese herbs or postpartum care change after this experience?

Yes my parents used TCM when I was younger - all I remember was that it was smelly! After this experience, it's definitely changed my view on the range of herbs out there. I think the Herborium were very thoughtful and mindful in the way they curated their postpartum package to ensure it is actually tasty!

5. We truly believe in the importance of rest, warmth, nourishment and mothering the mother as the pillars of postpartum care. Did you follow any traditional postpartum confinement or recovery practices and why do you think these were important when our bodies are vulnerable and has been through so many fluctuations?

I stayed indoors for 30 days postpartum - it wasn't enforced, just a choice. Honestly, I did not want to go anywhere during this period and enjoyed taking things slow at home with bub and my family.

6. The postpartum chaos is real. How did you incorporate the package into your routine? What did you notice most while using the package?

It was great in that it gave me some routine in the day - I would have some in the morning, lunch and evening. As I was breastfeeding I was always hungry and it really helped me feel satiated and energised. It also gave me a good excuse to drink more liquids. I was also so thirsty from breastfeeding!

7. Looking back, what would you tell yourself just before entering postpartum?

Rest more!

8. If you had to describe your postpartum experience in 3 words, what would they be?

Transformational, Beautiful, Harder than childbirth!!!

 

Postpartum asks so much of women.
These stories are a reminder that recovery deserves care too.
Thank you to the mothers who shared a small piece of their experience with us, and with the women who may need these words most.

Learn more about our 28 Day Postpartum Packages here.
Limited weekly availability - many mothers choose to prepare early and to take advantage of our early bird discount.