S2E1 The Myth of "Bouncing Back After Baby" with Courtney Naliboff and Ruth Macy, DPT

Modern Hysteria

0:00

-1:07:40

S2E1 The Myth of "Bouncing Back After Baby" with Courtney Naliboff and Ruth Macy, DPT

Postpartum bodies aren’t broken: Dismantling patriarchy in motherhood health and what real recovery can look like

, and

Aug 17, 2025

Hiiii! It’s Micah from Modern Hysteria and WELCOME BACK to Season 2 of the podcast! I can’t wait to share the debut episode with you ….

In S2E1 we’re dismantling the idea that we need to “bounce back” to pre-pregnancy weight and shape and ideals after giving birth.

The Taboo

Despite our cultural belief that birthgivers should return to their pre-pregnancy selves, postpartum bodies are not meant to "bounce back"—they are meant to heal, and forcing weight loss or rapid fitness recovery can cause harm.

Links + Resources

Courtney’s band, Bait Bag (check out “Girl Push-ups”!)

Book Recommendations

Your Postpartum Body by

Courtney Naliboff

and Ruth Macy

Tami Lynn Kent’s Wild Mothering: Finding Power, Spirit, and Joy in Birth and a Creative Motherhood (Reclaim Your Wild Book 3)

Time Stamps

07:15 — What bounce-back culture looks like today.
12:00 — Patriarchy, perfectionism, and why postpartum bodies are policed.
17:45 — The science: what actually happens to the body after pregnancy and why “six weeks” is a myth.
23:10 — Pelvic floor, core strength, and “quick fixes.”
28:20 — Mental health and identity shifts
33:00 — How to advocate for yourself in postpartum.

Key Takeaways

Not all things return to baseline in six weeks after birth; it can take to three years (but we haven’t studied it enough; only 2% of NIH funding is dedicated to women’s health, and it’s mostly on how to get pregnant).

And this pressure to “get your body back” after birth isn’t about health. It’s rooted in misogyny, beauty standards, and unrealistic expectations that erase the realities of postpartum recovery and childbirth.

True recovery means prioritizing function, energy, mental health, and connection. It might look like setting boundaries with family, friends, and even healthcare providers.

The Guest Experts

Courtney Naliboff is the co-author of Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy, published in 2024 and is a columnist and reporter for Working Waterfront. Her co-author, Ruth E. Macy, has her doctorate in physical therapy, and specializes in pelvic health. She has been in the industry for 20 years.