I Wish I’d Known Then: Reflections on Postpartum, Preemies, and Ancient Wisdom
Motherhood has been the most beautiful, transformative, and unexpectedly challenging journey of my life. Looking back, I realize just how much I wish I’d known then what I know now- especially about postpartum care and the sacred first six weeks after birth, a period that’s so critical for a new mother’s healing and grounding.
I didn’t know…
When my twins were born at 26 weeks at University of Cincinnati Hospital, everything I thought I knew about motherhood was turned upside down. They spent three months in the NICU, fighting and growing stronger every day, while I was learning how to navigate my own postpartum recovery. Those early weeks weren’t filled with soft moments of bonding- they were a blur of hospital walls, pumping, medical updates, and trying to take care of myself while worrying about my tiny babies.
I didn’t know how to soothe the overwhelm or rebuild my strength without feeling guilty, and I wish I had.
Then Came My Second…
Then came my second pregnancy, during COVID, at Mercy Anderson, and everything felt different. The world was quieter, yes, but also more isolating. I had the gift of hindsight. I could finally imagine postpartum support not as a checklist of recovery, but as a sacred time to honor my body, my emotions, and my baby’s needs.
What I wish I’d known then- and what I wish I had incorporated- was the wisdom of ancient healing traditions. Ayurveda, for example, emphasizes balance, gentle care, and listening to the body’s natural rhythms. I didn’t know about it at the time, but I wish I had. This idea of honoring your body with warmth, nourishment, and presence resonates deeply with me because it echoes something I hold near and dear from my Korean heritage. Growing up, I listened to my grandmother’s stories and watched how she cared for her body with intention and respect. Those small rituals- passed down through generations- are lessons I now wish I could have leaned on in those early postpartum days.
If I could go back, here’s what I’d tell myself:
Slow Down: In the early postpartum period, everything moves so fast- but healing doesn’t. I wish I’d given myself permission to pause, to just be with my baby, my body, and my emotions.
Soften the Pressure: Let go of expectations. Days will be messy, imperfect, and unproductive- and that’s okay.
Nourish Yourself: Gentle meals, warmth, rest, and care aren’t indulgences- they’re essential for postpartum recovery. I wish I’d known that taking care of myself allows me to be fully present for my babies.
Honor Ancient Wisdom: Listen to your body, your intuition, and the knowledge passed down through generations. Even if it doesn’t fit neatly into modern life, these practices carry profound guidance.
Looking back, I see how small rituals- warm drinks, quiet moments, gentle movement, soft routines- could have anchored me. I wish I could tell every new mother- especially those navigating preemie twins, NICU stays, or challenging circumstances like a pandemic birth- that postpartum healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence, being held, and gently finding your rhythm again. Just being is enough.
The lessons I’ve learned- sometimes the hard way- are simple, but profound: slow down, soften, nourish, and honor the wisdom that comes before you. I wish I’d known then, but I’m grateful I know now. And I hope sharing this story helps someone else feel a little less alone in the chaos, wonder, and sacredness of early motherhood.
All the Doula Love,
Brittni xo
Brittni is an Ayurvedic postpartum doula at Nurture, specializing in traditional postpartum care that nurtures recovery, balance, and deep support for mothers in the early weeks after birth.
