Congratulations mommy! You’ve given birth to an actual human! Aren’t you patting your back for, well, surviving it? Not to burst your bubble, but did your auspicious moment of pride turn into disgruntled horror when you looked down and saw your lady parts? Yeah, we thought so.
Your body majorly transforms during pregnancy and, of course, after giving birth. And while there’s a lot of information (and free advice from literally everybody) about your growing belly and baby weight, your post-partum health and body are often left out of the conversation.
You’re functioning on little sleep with a little human constantly attached to you, so it’s hard to focus on anything else. But we’re here for you, mama. Here are some of the changes your body will go through after you give birth. And it’s OKAY!
Sagging
Topping our list of ‘things no one tells you about post-birth’ is the sudden change in your butt size and shape. Do you know how pregnancy causes your breasts to swell two or three cup sizes? Well, the same goes for your backside. The added weight and pressure during pregnancy can cause your butt to grow a couple of inches. Unfortunately, that extra junk in the trunk is usually temporary. It leaves you with a little less volume and a lot more sag.
But don’t worry, there are ways to tighten and tone your tush after baby. Try some specific exercises or invest in a good body shaper to help get your pre-baby body back. Treatments like the Brazilian Butt Lift can also help restore volume and lift. You can check how much it’ll cost in your city by running a quick Google search. Type the treatment name and city, for instance, ‘cost of bbl in Miami,’ and you’ll get an estimate of the average cost in your area.
Hormone Changes
You might already be familiar with the pregnancy hormone progesterone. It relaxes smooth muscles (like in your GI tract) to make room for your growing baby. However, did you know about estrogen and relaxin’?
Relaxin is produced during pregnancy to help loosen your joints and ligaments in preparation for delivery. Unfortunately, that relaxed state doesn’t go away after you give birth. It can take up to a year for your ligaments and joints to return to their original state. So, be careful when carrying your baby and anything else that might strain your body.
Estrogen levels also take a dip after you give birth, which can lead to some not-so-fun changes. You might experience vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and night sweats. And your hair might start falling out (yikes!). Luckily, these side effects are temporary and will eventually go away.
Bladder Control
That’s right, you might be in for some leaks when you run, jump, or sneeze. It’s nothing to be ashamed of—just a pregnancy and delivery side effect. When you’re pregnant, your bladder is under pressure from your growing uterus (ah, and the constant kicking!). It weakens your bladder muscles and can cause incontinence or the inability to control your bladder.
After you give birth, that pressure is relieved—but your bladder muscles might still be weak. If you had a vaginal delivery, you might have damaged your pelvic floor muscles (the muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum). Thank god for panty liners, right?
Swelling
Your feet might look more like canoes than ever before. And that’s because they retain water (like the rest of your body). During pregnancy, your kidneys work overtime to filter out all the extra fluid in your body. But after you give birth, that fluid starts to build up again.
It can take a few weeks for the swelling to go down. In the meantime, prop your Hulk feet up, and try not to stand for long periods. It might also help to wear compression socks. You must also munch on some potassium-rich fruits and vegetables!
Stomach Size
Were you hoping for a magical shrinking potion after you gave birth? Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist (yet). It takes time for your stomach muscles to heal and return to their original state. And in the meantime, you might have a little beer belly.
Depending on the amount of weight you gain during pregnancy, your age, and your activity, it can take between six weeks to six months to get your pre-baby body back. However, the skin might not get as taut as it was before. But targeted workouts and a healthy diet will help you achieve your post-baby body goals.
Breast Size
Don’t get too excited, but your breasts might get a little bigger after giving birth. That’s because your body produces more prolactin during pregnancy, the hormone that helps you make milk for your baby. However, don’t throw those bras you brought during pregnancy just yet!
Your breasts might stay engorged (full of milk) for the first few days after giving birth. And then, they’ll slowly return to their normal size. If breastfeeding, your boobs might fluctuate in size depending on how much milk your baby is drinking. You can try expressing milk in the shower, place a slightly crushed (UNUSED) cabbage leaf against your breast, or use a cold compress to soothe and reduce inflammation.
As for the sagginess, blame breast weight gain during pregnancy and smoking (it’s not hormones this time!).
Stretch Marks
‘Don’t scratch, don’t itch, don’t pick!’ That’s what your mom probably told you when you were pregnant. And she was right! Picking at your skin can cause permanent scarring. Your genetics and how quickly you gain weight are also factors that can contribute.
Stretch marks are caused by the skin stretching (obviously). And unfortunately, they’re pretty unpreventable. However, you can reduce their appearance by moisturizing your skin and using a cream or oil that contains vitamin E or cocoa butter.
But once you get stretch marks, they’re there for good. So, embrace them as battle scars and be proud of the amazing things your body can do!
Hair Loss
Your hair might start falling out in clumps after you give birth. It’s called telogen effluvium, and it’s completely normal. It occurs because your hair follicles go into the resting phase. We know you’re probably thinking, ‘I DON’T CARE, just give me my hair back!’ But don’t worry, it’ll grow back.
In the meantime, try using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, avoid tight hairstyles, and use a leave-in conditioner. You should also avoid using hot tools as much as possible. And most importantly, be patient!
Conclusion:
Giving birth is an amazing and life-changing event. And while your body might not be the same afterward, it’s still incredible. So, embrace the changes and be proud of what your body can do!
Also, don’t give in to ANY societal pressure to bounce back after baby. You just gave birth; give yourself some time!
Relax, enjoy the snuggles, and don’t forget to take care of yourself. Your body went through a lot, so give it the TLC it deserves.
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