CONGRATULATIONS! BABY JO' IS HERE

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Guess what? Baby Jo' has officially arrived!


Now, while Aunt Jo' is free from the extra load she’s been hauling for nine months, we can’t shift our focus just yet. Yes, Baby Jo' is adorable and needs all the attention, but Aunt Jo's body just did a whole lot of work, and she deserves some TLC too!

Postpartum Health – Let’s Talk About It

Here’s the thing: new moms usually don’t have to show up for postnatal classes until six weeks later. Why? To avoid infections (because Baby Jo’s immune system is still trying to figure out how to deal with germs solo). But, what about Aunt Jo's body, which has been through its own version of the Olympics?

We'll delve into the complications that could arise following delivery: 


  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

If Aunt Jo’s hands (wrists) are feeling numb, painful or tingly, it’s likely thanks to carpal tunnel syndrome. This happens because pregnancy can cause swelling, putting pressure on the nerves in the wrist. Luckily, this usually clears up a few weeks (4) after delivery. But if it’s still hanging around, a quick visit to the physiotherapist should do the trick.


  • Diastasis Recti – AKA: “Why is My Belly Still Out Here?”

So, Aunt Jo’s abs stretched out to make room for Baby Jo'. Now, they’re taking their sweet time snapping back into place.


If Aunt Jo’s belly is still hanging out a few months after delivery, it could be diastasis recti—the cause of many post-baby belly mysteries. It usually improves by itself within eight weeks, but if those abs are playing hard to get, a physiotherapist can help get them back in line. Oh, and don’t let Aunt Jo' start doing random ab exercises from YouTube. Some moves can make it worse—this is a job for the pros!


  • Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles

These are the muscles Aunt Jo' didn’t even know she had until she coughed and sneezed and, well - some urine or faeces leaked out. The baby’s weight can weaken the pelvic floor, leading to a bit of leakage. Solution? Kegel exercises! They’re super easy (and no one even knows you’re doing them). If things don’t improve, the physiotherapist is your go-to.

Posture Postpartum – Save Your Back, Aunt Jo!

Carrying a newborn is like adding a 24/7 workout to your life. If Aunt Jo’s not careful, her back, shoulders, and wrists will be begging for mercy. To prevent this, here’s the golden rule: child to breast, not breast to child when feeding. Throw a pillow under your arm for support and avoid assuming a forward posture to breastfeed.



Changing diapers or dressing? Same rule – no back-bending marathons! 




When carrying Baby Jo', use a baby carrier to keep the legs supported and close enough to sneak in those forehead kisses. Bonus tip: no dangling legs – they’re babies, not acrobats!





This concludes our series on Aunt Jo'. We hope we have all learnt the basis of how to enjoy the nine month marathons (as females) or how to be great supporters for Aunt Jo’.


Best regards.

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