The term “postpartum” is commonly associated with circumstances and conditions that happen to new mothers after childbirth. For instance, “postpartum depression” and “postpartum anxiety.”

Postpartum is technically defined as “the period of time following childbirth,” without a specific length of time assigned to it. The medical community generally says that the postpartum period lasts for six weeks after birth.

Contrary to what we’ve been taught, the postpartum period marks a beginning to a new journey, so it isn’t temporary at all. You don’t “stop” being postpartum after six to eight weeks at your postpartum checkup.

Pregnancy and childbirth has an everlasting effect on your body and your life, so in truth, the postpartum period never ends. You are postpartum ten weeks after pregnancy; you are also postpartum ten years after pregnancy.