Katherine Schwarzenegger slammed the American “medical system” for “not paying enough attention to mothers” after giving birth, as she opened up about some of the struggles she faced after welcoming her two children with Chris Pratt.
Katherine, 34, was brutally honest about how difficult the first few weeks were after the birth of her first daughter as she opened up about postpartum depression and anxiety during a recent appearance on Lo Bosworth’s. Gut Feelings podcast.
The author, who welcomed three-year-old daughter Lyla in August 2020, followed by one-year-old Eloise in May 2022, admitted she had a tough time after becoming a mother.
“When you’ve just given birth to a child, especially for the first time, you’re experiencing a totally different role and version of your life that can definitely be very overwhelming,” she said.
Katherine Schwarzenegger slammed the American “medical system” for “not paying enough attention to mothers” after giving birth.
She also opened up about some of the struggles she faced after welcoming her two children with Chris Pratt while opening up about postpartum depression on Lo Bosworth’s Gut Feelings podcast.
The author, who welcomed three-year-old daughter Lyla in 2020, followed by one-year-old Eloise in 2022, said she found it difficult to “experience a totally different role” after becoming a mother.
“It’s so different, and then you’re like, ‘Wait, I’m so happy and so excited (at the same time), what’s going on?'”
‘For me, when I became a mother for the first time, I also took into account Covid, which was very unknown. There were a lot of different things going on that he was trying to keep track of.’
Katherine also talked about how her body changed after giving birth.
“You wake up in the middle of the night, your body is going through a lot of different changes with hormones and breastfeeding and you’re recovering,” she continued.
‘Your hormones plummet after having a baby. All the hormones you’ve been building up in your body for the last nine months decrease.
‘Six or seven days (after giving birth), I was suddenly very cold and sweating (at the same time). My breasts were leaking and very hard.’
Katherine explained that while “breastfeeding is a beautiful thing,” she said it felt like a “full-time job” that was much harder than she expected.
“The maintenance and care of your body that you have to keep in mind when you’re breastfeeding… I have a whole different level of respect for people who breastfeed,” she added.
Katherine also opened up about how her body changed in unexpected ways after giving birth.
‘Six or seven days (after giving birth), I was suddenly very cold and sweating (at the same time). “My breasts were leaking and very hard,” Katherine (left) told the host (right).
While she praised the fact that there is a “much more open form of dialogue about postpartum life,” the star was quick to criticize the lack of care for mothers after giving birth.
While she praised the fact that there is a “much more open form of dialogue about postpartum life,” the star was quick to criticize the lack of care for mothers after giving birth.
“Our medical system is facing major challenges because it does not pay enough attention to mothers after they have children, care for them and give them what they need,” Katherine explained.
“We live in a culture where you give birth and then you come back to life, and there are people for whom that might work, but there are other people who may need to take a moment to readjust to what their life is like.” like after having a baby.
“Many people can just recover, but for others it can be much more challenging.”
As for her advice for moms who may be struggling, she stated the importance of “having someone you can be open and honest with about how you feel.”
“Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help when you need it,” he urged.
‘If you need someone to come and sit with your baby while you shower, do it. If you need someone to help you wash the dishes, do it.
‘If you need more support from your husband or partner, ask for it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help at this time in your life, this is a very fragile and important time in your life. People want to help you, call those people and ask for help.’
“Our medical system is very challenged by not giving enough care to mothers after they have children or not taking care of them and giving them what they need,” she explained.
As for her advice for moms who may be struggling, she stated the importance of “having someone you can be open and honest with about how you feel.”
Katherine opened up about how she deals with “mom burnout” and explained that she always tries to find time to “do things that make her happy.”
She said: ‘Being the stressed, crazy, exhausted version of yourself won’t be a great version of yourself to give to your children.
‘That might mean going for a walk, just getting outside and taking a breather. It could be going for coffee, whatever those little things are (that make you happy). Just find a moment to center yourself and then get on with your day.’
Katherine also encouraged parents to “be kind to themselves” and remember that it’s a “balancing act” and that not every day will go as planned.
‘It’s not always going to work perfectly and smoothly. You’ll be late, things won’t go your way, your kids will get sick,’ he reminded listeners.
“That’s something I’ve found difficult to accept because I’m very structured and programmed and have been my whole life.”
“But if you try every day to have everything balanced, that level of pressure never ends and it’s exhausting and it’s just not realistic.”
The writer, who married Chris in 2019, runs her own Instagram Live series titled Before, During, and After Baby, during which she “interviews experts, notable specialists, real people, and friends on topics related to all things baby.” the baby”.