Being in labour and giving birth is equivalent to running a marathon – that’s what the University of Michigan found. It confirmed what we mothers know, that birth is the most traumatic event a body can go through. The scientists analysed MRI scans of birth injuries and sports injuries, and found that the aftermath of childbirth is a lot like injuries sustained in endurance sports.

According to the study, 41 percent of women experience pelvic muscle tears and up to 15 percent end up with injuries that don’t ever heal. Who know what injuries Kate was hiding as she stood on those steps, post marathon, holding her baby and beaming.

And then there’s just the bog-standard physical stuff that basically every woman goes through. Forget the baby belly that hangs around your waist making you look like there’s still more humans living in your body – that’s nothing compared to what’s going on down there…

After a vaginal delivery or C-section, you’ll experience a vaginal discharge called lochia, which is very similar to a heavy period, consisting of leftover blood, mucus, and sloughed-off tissue from the lining of the uterus. Expect to wear accessories like ginormous granny pads that go from navel to the coccyx.

According to Health Direct, your perineum (the area between the anus and vulva) will be swollen after giving birth. You’ll be feeling tender and swollen or bruised down there immediately after birth from stretching and sometimes tearing.

Some women will require stitches after birth if they experience tearing or if the doctor had to cut the perineum to let the baby out. Firstly, stitches downstairs will be uncomfortable, secondly, some may find it difficult and painful to wee because of the stitched-wound and the acid in your urine. Ouch!

Those darned contractions last well after giving birth. Once the baby arrives, your uterus starts to tighten as it returns to its pre-pregnancy size and location. These postpartum contractions are called after pains. And every time that hungry little human latches on to your delicate nipple, those contractions ramp right up. Those after pains also get worse with each baby you birth.

Watch the couple welcoming press below!