Listen to your body and your instinct: Zara Noor Abbas has a message for new mothers
Standup Girl starlet Zara Noor Abbas recently celebrated the arrival of a new member in her family, a baby girl named Noor-e-Jahan, with her husband Asad Siddiqui. Amid the joy of welcoming their newborn, Abbas used her platform on Instagram to bring attention to the postpartum period, a phase of motherhood often overlooked but equally significant.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Abbas opened up about her journey through the highs and lows of postpartum life, accompanied by a series of touching images capturing precious moments with her daughter. Among the snapshots were a carousel of white booties, a baby pink embellished cake, plush toys, and a wall poster bearing the words “Welcome home, baby Noor-e-Jahan and Mommy.”
Expressing her heartfelt gratitude for the support received from her fans, friends, and family, the 33-year-old delved into the essence of her postpartum experience, describing it as a transformative journey from “nothingness to everything.”
“First and foremost – Thank you to all my friends and family and my amazing fans for all the love and prayers. I read all your comments and messages,” Abbas wrote in the caption. “It’s just Insane. The journey from nothingness to everything. This rush of joy and power. The feeling that I can conquer anything now. The nourishment of empowerment and love.”
She continued, “The tears, the all-nighters, the challenges of understanding what the baby needs. Deciphering which cry indicates a specific task or action. Learning how to position the head, how to handle the delicate body, how to massage the fragile bones that emit audible sounds.”
Abbas candidly discussed the hurdles of decoding her newborn’s cues, mastering the intricacies of baby care, and the overwhelming confusion often experienced during the postpartum period. She stressed the importance for new mothers to accept assistance, prioritize self-care, and celebrate their accomplishments without succumbing to the pressure of perfection.
Reflecting further, she remarked, “The questions that can only be answered through solitary time with the baby. The pressure to have all the answers within these 40 days. It’s overwhelming! It’s a lot! And I feel like we don’t talk enough about the journey after giving birth. Postpartum. It’s real. It’s as real as pregnancy.”
Emphasizing the inherent strength of motherhood, Abbas encouraged fellow new mothers to recognize their resilience and seek support when needed. She advocated for normalizing conversations surrounding postpartum challenges, aiming to reassure other mothers that they are not alone in their journey.
Addressing new mothers directly, Abbas firmly reminded them to carve out their own postpartum journey. “So to all the new moms, take a step back from being a super soldier. You became one simply by giving birth by the grace of God. Now step back. Accept help. Rest. Eat. Sleep. Nap. You can assert your boundaries. Reject advice that doesn’t resonate with you. Swaddle as you prefer. Nurse or feed in the manner that suits you. Do as you please,” she advised.
Abbas concluded with a crucial reminder: “Listen to your body and your maternal instincts.” Stressing the importance of patience, she remarked, “This will be a gradual road to recovery, but you will be just fine. I promise you. You know why? Because you are a mother. And mothers, oh mothers! Aren’t we aware of their strength enough?”
