How Body Changes After Pregnancy

Overview

The long wait is finally over and your baby has finally arrived. High chances are you are ecstatic to have your bundle of joy with you.

There is nothing more joyful than to have a baby. It is one of those special gifts given to women that are pretty much incomparable to any other. If it was not love at first sight and you still have not fallen in love with you baby, do not worry. You will get there very soon.

The first few days with your baby can be a very emotional time for you and your partner. There is a lot to learn and do. There is the excitement of getting to know your baby, but you will also be tired and your body will be recovering from labor and the birth.

There are changes right, left and center from the new arrangement to having an addition to the family.

Apart from these changes, there is also changes that occur in your body. A lot has happened since you got pregnant. From weight gain to swollen feet. Now that you have delivered, still a lot will happen before you go back to your normal self before pregnancy. Changes to be expected include:

Hair Loss

If your hair got thicker during your pregnancy, it may now start to shed in handfuls. This happens to some new moms in the first few months after having their baby. I know what you might be thinking, that you are going bald.

That is not the case, far from it. Simply, you are losing the hair you did not lose during pregnancy.

Within a year or so, it should be back to how it was earlier. Good news is, if you suffered from excess facial and body hair during pregnancy (due to rise in hormones called androgens), you will likely lose most of that hair within six months after having your baby.

Large Breasts

Your breasts will be larger at first and while you are breastfeeding regularly.

If you do not intend to breastfeed from the start, you need not do anything.

When your milk comes in, usually two to three days after you give birth, your breasts may get swollen, tender, hard, throbbing, and uncomfortably full. It is called engorgement and it should get better in a day or two. Wearing a firm, supportive bra may help.

Consult your midwife if you feel very uncomfortable.

Abdominal Cramps

If those first breastfeeding sessions cause some abdominal cramping, it is because oxytocin also triggers uterine contractions.

This is mostly referred to as “after pains”. It should get better as you continue to breastfeed your baby.

Uncontrollable Bladder At Times

It is quite common after having a baby to leak urine accidentally if you laugh, cough or move suddenly.

Regular pelvic floor exercises can help prevent this. If the problem lasts for more than three months, see your doctor, who may refer you to a physiotherapist.

Mood Swings

Mood swings causes may including hormonal changes, discomfort from labor and birth, sleep deprivation and basically the motherhood bubbles.

Whatever the cause, it is common to experience “baby blues”, usually beginning a few days after giving birth and lasting for a few weeks.

The feeling should go away on its own within time.

If it does not or gets worse, consult you midwife as you may be suffering from postpartum depression, which requires treatment. Seek professional help if you feel you might hurt yourself or the baby.

Vaginal Discharge/ Bleeding

A vaginal discharge (lochia) is normal for a month or two after you give birth.

Lochia consists of blood, bacteria, and sloughed-off tissue from the lining of the uterus. For the first few days after birth, it contains a fair amount of blood, so it will be bright red and look like a heavy menstrual period.

You will need super-absorbent sanitary towels.

Do not use tampons until after your postnatal check because they can cause infections.

By about ten days after you have given birth, you will have only a small amount of white or yellow-white discharge, which will taper off over the next two to four weeks, though for some women it may continue for a few more weeks.

Conclusion

As much as a lot will be happening to your body, do not forget to bond with your baby.

Allow yourself to get to know the baby, how they are adopting to the new environment so far, what irritates them, what makes them cry or happy and such.

This after all is the most important part. Be happy. It is not every day you wake up and find a little bundle of joy to call you own. It is rare, it is unique. Enjoy the moment.

Video: Pregnancy Week By Week

Reference

Author Bio

Adonia Dennis is a professional Health, Beauty and Skin Care consultant. She utilizes her experience in writing about health related problems and provide skincare information. She is passionate about writing blog, articles, presentations, etc