Body Changes After Pregnancy – What to Expect

Pregnancy truly is a blessed state, during which most moms-to-be just beam with a particular glow unmatched by anything else, a glow that cannot be replicated. Of course, every future mom experiences pregnancy in a different way – we are all different after all. That is why every postpartum experience is different as well and every woman goes through her specific changes. Still, there are some common issues every new mom-body goes through, and so we have come up with a list of the most frequent issues women endure after giving birth, along with some useful tips on how to tackle the issues and go back to your normal self as soon as possible.

 The New Mommy Tummy

Yes, you are not very happy with the appearance of your tummy, and all the weight in that area did not just magically disappear with the arrival of your bundle of joy. The first thing you must learn (as a mom and a woman) is to have a bit of patience. Your uterus needs time to contract and it will take up to six weeks for it to go back to normal and stop pressing your navel. Stretch marks are also very common, but their occurrence is completely normal as your tummy skin has had quite the workout. One thing that can help with that is a natural and organic stretch mark oil, not only after the pregnancy but during it as well. It is better to go organic, as these types of products will not harm your skin, or your baby. Be patient and persistent in your stretch mark battle. Bonus: it is best to apply it after showering; moist skin will absorb the oil more quickly, giving it a better chance at making an impact. The rest of the tummy weight will slowly start to melt away since you will be running around more than ever, so just give it time and enjoy being a mom

Where Are My Gorgeous Locks?

All future moms read about this, but it still comes as a shock when you notice that your hair is falling out so rapidly, and yes, you even become a bit concerned. This however, is one of the most common occurrences after the labor, plus, during the pregnancy you were actually losing way less hair than the average person (thanks to hormones) so this discrepancy can seem shockingly huge. If, however, you want your thick hair back as soon as possible and cannot bear to wait six months for your hormones to go back to normal, you can always consult your doctor who can prescribe some vitamins for hair health and shampoos that can expedite the hair-regain process.

Whose Breasts Are These?

Right after giving birth you might find your breast unrecognizable, as they will probably become flushed, swollen, sore and engorged with milk for a day or two after the birth. Once this swelling goes down, in about three to four days (or until you stop breastfeeding), your breasts will probably begin to sag as a result of the stretched skin. You may also experience milk leakage for several weeks, even if you don’t breastfeed.

This is all perfectly normal, text-book actually, so do not worry. Still, there are safe and organic breast lotions that your Lamaze teacher can and usually does recommend, to help with swelling (as well as tenderness and soreness that come from breastfeeding). If your teacher did not mention these, feel free to ask your doctor for a safe lotion. You deserve to be as comfortable and swelling-free as possible.

A Plague of Acne

Unfortunately, after you give birth, your skin will lose some of the pregnancy glow. Even though you will be super-busy with your baby, you should steal every moment to sleep (of course), stay hydrated, but also take care of the skin of your face. The appearance of acne is mostly due to soaring progesterone and estrogen fluctuations that in turn lead to increased sebum production and clogged pores. In this case cleansers, toners and moisturizers containing benzoyl peroxide are best to penetrate and unclog the pores, and they are completely safe for breastfeeding moms.

Always remember, you are a goddess that has just gone through the most divine thing – creating life. Make sure you enjoy every minute of it, even the sleepless nights and the exhaustion. When you look at your little bundle of joy, and see the beauty you have brought into the world, you’ll know it was all worth it. Use every chance you get to sleep, and eventually even hit the gym and get your old body back. In the meantime, do not worry so much, everything will go back to normal with just a little bit of help, and we hope you will find these tips helpful. Now go, and enjoy motherhood!