Why The First Two Years Postpartum Are Difficult

The first two years postpartum are deeply challenging not only physically, but also emotionally, socially, and mentally. Physically, a mother is still healing from birth, often dealing with hormonal shifts, nutrient depletion, and chronic fatigue. But the difficulty goes beyond the body. Socially, many mothers — especially Black mothers — face isolation, lack of paid leave, and the pressure to "bounce back" while silently struggling. In the U.S., only 17% of workers have access to paid family leave, and 60% of moms with postpartum depression go undiagnosed or untreated. The demands of caregiving, loss of identity, and the emotional weight of new motherhood are compounded by minimal support, systemic gaps, and racial disparities in care. All of this makes the first two years not just a time of recovery, but a transformational — and often overwhelming.