When I was 23 and had my first baby, I didn’t know anyone in my peer group who had kids. I took the classes advertised by my hospital and tried my best to research what to expect, but all I remember learning is how to go through the birth process and take care of a small baby. I had no clue what to expect for myself in the postpartum period.

Now I’m not trying to scare you – these are just the important things I wish someone had told me.

Here are the 7 most surprising things that no one told me about postpartum:

1. Babies aren’t the only ones who wear diapers.

Seriously, though. Doesn’t this seem like something I should’ve known prior to pushing a baby out of my body?

I knew birth wouldn’t be pretty, and that things would be a bit different down there.

But I had no idea that I would need the equivalent of an adult diaper for days after birth.

They literally give you large mesh undies and ginormous rectangular pads in the hospital. It’s hard enough to walk from the soreness that comes with childbirth, but then you get to deal with the wad of material shoved up between your thighs.

It really is something else, and moms should know what to expect when it comes to their bodies.

2. Postpartum B.O. stinks (literally).

Ok, so I don’t know if all moms face this, or just us lucky ones. But dang, my postpartum armpit sweat stinks.

Like I have the kind of sweaty pits that deodorant hardly helps. It stinks.

This happened with both of my pregnancies – everything was normal stank-wise until the baby popped out, and then the stench began. And honestly, both times I’ve felt kind of embarrassed.

I’m not sure what the answer is with this one, but I do know that after a few months with both babies, the problem eventually went away.

3. Breastfeeding is hard.

Breastfeeding is made up to be this beautiful, natural thing – like it should just come easily to both mom and baby. Oh boy, am I here to tell you that that is not always the case.

With my first born, neither one of us knew what we were doing. Breastfeeding just was not working. Luckily, I had the support of the amazing hospital staff, who helped my partner and I feed our baby milk that I pumped. And once we left the hospital, we kept up with giving breast milk in bottles often for months, because breastfeeding was that much of a challenge.

Finally, we got the hang of it, and I was able to breastfeed my first until just before his 2nd birthday when I got pregnant again.

The start of breastfeeding was substantially easier with my second – I knew what I was doing and he was a better sucker. But it still was hard. It physically hurts at the beginning, and the constant attachment is hard to get used to even the second time around.

Whether you decide to breastfeed or not, fed is best. But it is important to know that the start of your breastfeeding journey could get off to a rough start – and that doesn’t make you a failure. Do your best to prepare with all the essentials, and have patience with yourself!

4. You can function (kind of) on less sleep than you think you can.

If you think you’ve been tired pre-baby, think again.

Sure, maybe you pulled all-nighters in college or have work night shifts before. The first few days of parenthood are in a whole different field of sleepless experiences.

I remember getting home from the hospital with my first born and be so drained mentally, physically, and emotionally. I was scared to fall asleep, and when I did finally drift into dreamland, my alarm would go off as it was time for the baby to eat.

It all seems like a blur.

I don’t know how we got through it. I don’t know how every parent gets through it. But we do, so just know that you will too.

5. The first post-birth poop is nerve-wracking af.

As I’ve said, lots happens to the lady parts during birth. I did not realize how much that would affect my confidence in my ability to safely poop.

But man, that first poop in the hospital is scary. For some reason, it feels like everything is just going to come undone. It’s like the last thing you want to be doing is “pushing something out,” and so your body just decides to say, “No, thank you.”

I will say this though, it’s all in your mind. Once you get the first poop done and over with, the whole thing gets a lot easier. But just know the fear is normal, even if it sucks.

6. Emotions run high.

Probably the hardest part of the postpartum experience for me during both births was dealing with all the emotions.

Hormones can do crazy, crazy things to you. And after birth, they are running rampant.

I cried so much.

I cried at the grocery store. At the doctor’s office. On the couch.

I cried and cried and cried and cried.

It was hard for me to deal with, and also hard for my partner to deal with, because he felt like he should help but didn’t know how.

But this is a normal part of the postpartum process.

Just remember, while the baby blues are normal and will subside, it is important to talk to your doctor if you have signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.

7. Realizing the little person is the same one you carried inside of you is mind-blowing.

Okay, maybe people told me this one. But you can’t quite comprehend what its like to hold your baby for the first time until you experience it.

You’ll see that one for yourself.

As hard as the postpartum period is, it is magical.

Bringing a new baby home is an wild, scary, and incredible experience. It’s something like nothing else you’ve ever experienced. As you prepare for the special time, don’t forget to prepare to take care of yourself in the postpartum period. You will need to be cared for to be the best mom you can be, so make sure that you make yourself a priority.