Ayshen Webbe Speaks to Smart Cells About Normalising Postpartum Recovery

We speak to Ayshen Webbe about her experience with postpartum recovery.

There is immense pressure to snap back from giving birth quickly, especially when you’re in the public eye, which could be any of us nowadays with social media.

Ayshen Webbe, mum of one and wife to Simon Webbe from boy band blue, welcomed her daughter Cyan in July 2021 but has since confessed to feeling “lost” and “down” during her postpartum recovery journey.

Ayshen spoke to Smart Cells, with whom she stored her daughter’s cord blood, about the incredible pressure she felt under to “get back to normal” while in the public eye:

“I felt as though I had so much pressure to be a certain way. So many mums were looking and feeling great, having bounced back straight after giving birth or having a c-section. Then, I was comparing to myself who could hardly walk. I felt so down. 

“All I heard during my pregnancy was, “your age isn’t on your side” or “it’s going to take you longer to get back to normal”. I guess it made me panic! A new Mum has so much to learn and think about. The last thing we should worry about is our weight that early on.

“It took me around 3 months to feel healed; I felt as though the day would never come as the healing process took so long for me.”

Expert Midwife Zoe Watson from MAM Baby explains how long postpartum recovery really takes, both physically as well as mentally:

“A new mother needs to allow herself time to recover from birth. Typically, vaginal birth recovery takes about four to six weeks. During this time, the body gradually heals and returns to pre-pregnancy. New mothers should take it easy during this period and allow their bodies to rest and recover. 

“Recovering from a caesarean birth generally takes longer. It can take up to six to eight weeks, or more, for a woman to fully recover from a caesarean section. In addition to the physical healing, mothers who have had a caesarean birth may face additional challenges, such as limited mobility and discomfort while caring for their newborn.”

Speaking about supporting mental wellbeing after birth, Zoe says:

“My top tips are to keep chatting to the people around you – your partner, the midwife, family and friends. Openly talk about your highs and lows so they can be there to share the happy times and help you navigate the more challenging moments.  

“As difficult as it may be to find the time during the early days with a newborn, try to prioritise some self-care to aid the healing process. Start with the basic things like eating well, resting and getting fresh air. As you recover and adapt, you may feel up to doing slightly more time-intensive things like gentle exercise or meeting a friend for coffee and a chat.

“And for a quick fix when you’re exhausted, a shower and a good breakfast can turn your day around!”