A study of 2,000 mothers found 78 percent were ‘shocked’ at the impact giving birth had on their own bodies.
More than a third (34 percent) experienced abdominal pain within the six weeks of given birth, while 39 percent endured back pain.
Others struggled with hormonal shifts (34 percent), constipation (28 percent) and sore breasts (43 percent).
And many continued to endure problems throughout the fourth trimester – the 12-week period after giving birth – including struggling to walk (24 percent) and incontinence (18 percent).
Commissioned by baby product makers Frida, the research also found six in 10 wish they’d been warned beforehand about what they would go through.
The study forms part of the brand’s ‘Real Birth Announcements’ campaign which aims to help prepare moms-to-be by encouraging parents to share their birth and postpartum experiences.
Mom-of-two, Paloma Faith, is backing the campaign by revealing details of her own challenges during childbirth.
The singer and activist said: “My own birth and postpartum journey was far from the rosy scenes you see on screen and online.
“After my emergency C-section I couldn’t walk properly for two months, and the exhaustion was ridiculous.
“Add on a new-born baby piranha setting my nipples on fire and a sore body and you’ve got a memory you will never forget.
“Not enough women are prepared for the realities of childbirth and postpartum and that’s why I’m proud to partner with Frida to help encourage open conversations about real birth stories.
“It’s time to challenge the social media perfection posts – let’s start sharing what really goes down.”
The study identified the most common ways women felt unprepared for the realities of childbirth – including feeling scared (35 percent) and not realizing how common complications are (28 percent).
While more than a quarter (26 percent) didn’t realise giving birth could last as long as it did.
Younger moms – 18-24 year olds – are more open to sharing these bits of information along with graphic details of childbirth than 35-44 year olds – 43 percent compared to 35 percent.
Rocky road
Similarly, this age group would also feel more comfortable speaking about their childbirth experiences than those in their mid-30s and 40s – 28 percent compared to 20 percent.
Of all those polled, 23 percent admitted they would feel more at ease speaking openly and honestly about childbirth if other moms did so too.
While 33 percent believe what moms go through during the post-partum period – the first six weeks after childbirth – is not discussed enough, with more focus placed on the birth itself.
And nearly half of moms (45 percent) were often asked more about their baby’s wellbeing than their own.
Chelsea Hirschhorn, Frida CEO and mom of three, said: “Frida is here to prepare parents for the unfiltered, unsexy moments of parenting – the ones you don’t typically see on Instagram.
And that starts with mom: we want to demystify the realities of becoming a mother and encourage more upfront conversations about what really goes down in the delivery room – and beyond.
“We aren’t afraid to push the envelope and talk about the very real moments and challenges of parenting.
“Ultimately, we want first-time moms to feel as prepared as a third-time mom and that ambition is at the heart of Real Birth Announcements.”