Moms Say Recovery Takes Years — Not Weeks — After Giving Birth

More than half of new mothers are still recovering — physically, mentally, or emotionally — years after giving birth, according to a new national survey that sheds light on the long arc of postpartum recovery.

The poll, conducted by Talker Research for womens health brand Intimina, surveyed 2,000 women who gave birth within the past three years and found that 59% of those whose youngest child is at least two years old still feel they are “unofficially” recovering.

The findings challenge long-held assumptions about how quickly women “bounce back” after childbirth. While physical healing averaged four weeks, mental recovery took six — and for many, it extended far beyond that. Forty-three percent of moms said it took them more than eight weeks to recover mentally, compared to 17% who said the same for physical recovery.

Despite preparation, most women said the realities of postpartum life were unexpected. Eighty-eight percent said nothing will prepare you for what to expect after birth, no matter how hard you try, including 87% of women who had given birth more than once. Nearly half of those — 47% — said their most recent delivery took longer to recover from than their first.

The concept of “bouncing back” was more complicated than simply returning to work or fitting into pre-pregnancy clothes. While the average woman resumed exercise, work, and her regular routine between five and six weeks postpartum, 47% said bouncing back was harder than they expected.

In fact, 51% reported learning that their body may never feel the same. Respondents reported experiencing hormonal changes (78%), fatigue and low energy (73%) and having stretch marks (70%). Less commonly, but still significantly, respondents reported developing a shifted (18%) and weakened pelvic floor (17%).

Nearly three-quarters (72%) said their body is still changing after giving birth, including 61% of those who have given birth at least two years ago.

When asked what unexpected things they experienced after giving birth, they reported a wide variety of issues, including unpredictable menstruation, incontinence, hair loss, mastitis caused by breastfeeding, phantom pains and kicks, night sweats and low energy, motivation, and libido.

“Theres a wide gap between what women are told to expect after giving birth and what they actually experience,” said Dunja Kokotovic, global brand manager at Intimina. “From weakened pelvic floors to persistent fatigue and emotional shifts, these are real, lasting effects that deserve more attention — not just from new moms, but from the people and systems around them.”

The emotional toll appears to extend into self-care. A majority (62%) said they still havent returned to the personality they had before giving birth to their last child.

Nearly half of moms (48%) said their self-care habits declined after giving birth, and 79% admitted they would feel guilty spending more time on themselves. While the average mom sets aside time to care for her body three days a week, 25% said they make no time at all. Still, 63% said they would spend more time on post-birth recovery if they knew how.

The open-ended responses echoed a call for empathy and more honest conversations. Many mothers said they wished someone had told them not to rush to feel “normal,” that postpartum recovery could be as intense as the birth itself, and that they should give themselves grace on days when they didnt feel their best.

Asked what they wish someone had told them to prepare, one respondent wrote: “You will never be the same person again, neither physically nor emotionally. Instead of trying to get back to your old self, focus on finding the new you.”

“Caring for your body after birth isnt a luxury — its a necessity,” said Kokotovic. “That includes everything from pelvic floor exercises and proper nutrition to giving yourself permission to rest, ask for help and set realistic expectations. Your recovery deserves as much support and care as your pregnancy.”