The female body is amazing! But after you give birth it may not feel like it. Your body will completely change after having a baby and I don’t want you to be shocked by what happens next.
If this is your first time pregnant you probably have a million thoughts going through your head as you get closer to labor and delivery.
I am here to help make your transition a little bit easier. Here are ways your body will change after pregnancy and when your body will go back to normal after giving birth.
1.Anxiety Build Up
You used to think about things like guys, going out on the weekend, or what you’re going to eat for lunch.
But now, all you can think about is your little munchkin. You will be constantly bombarded with thoughts about your little one.
Did they eat enough? Did they eat too much? What time is their nap? Are they sleeping enough? The thoughts go on and on and on.
Don’t worry your not going crazy. This is how all of us feel. It gets better. You will be able to control it better soon enough.
2.You will have feelings of being pregnant even though your not
Even though the hard part of labor and delivery is over, you will still have phantom feelings of being pregnant.
Especially if you had a Caesarean. Your nerves and muscles in your abdomen are all forming back together and healing.
I would have feelings of a baby kick in my stomach after I was pregnant. It was really weird, then my doctor told me it was totally normal.
3.Your weight will go up and down
After you have a baby, the hormones in your body have to regulate.
You also probably put on weight in order to carry a child. After the baby is out your weight will fluctuate up and down.
Do not fret, stay consistent and eat healthy. You will eventually get back to your pre baby weight or maybe even smaller if you gain habits of a healthy diet and exercise!
4. You will bleed like crazy
This is where it gets kind of gross. You will bleed like you’ve never bled before for the next 7-14 days after pregnancy.
It is completely normal but can be alarming when your not used to wearing three pads at a time to soak up the mountains of blood that accumulate in your granny panties.
It will eventually stop, and if it doesn’t, see a doctor.
5.Your stomach will look saggy
Let’s be honest. Your stomach will never be the same. No matter how many “bounce back” pictures you see on Instagram no one’s body is 100% the same as it was pre baby.
It happens to the best of us. Find ways to love your new body because you are amazing!
6. You will be emotional
As I stated before, your hormones will be all over the place. Which means your emotions will follow suit.
You just went through a major life change, it makes sense that you will be on an emotional roller coaster.
Try to tune into your feelings and understand that it is the hormones running the show.
Explain this to your significant other and family after you snap on them for talking too loud while the baby is sleeping. Ha ha!
7. Your stretch marks are here to stay
There are a lot of home remedies to help with stretch marks but the truth is some woman are more prone to stretch marks than others and there is not much you can do about it.
They will never completely go away so just embrace them as your war stripes and call yourself tiger mama!
8. You will be medicated
Depending on your labor and delivery experience you can be on some hard drugs.
Make sure you have someone to help you when you leave the hospital. You will still be on medication for a week or so until you are able to function without them.
You do not want to be left alone with a newborn when you don’t even know your last name.
9. You will be stitched up and have scars
This is for moms who had a C-section or a tear while giving birth. You may have had to get stiches.
You will have to look after your wound and make sure everything is healing correctly.
The doctor will look at it during your post partum appointment but you will definitely notice its there when you walks so just keep it in mind if you are feeling any discomfort.
10.Your breast will be swollen and eventually sag
This already happens while you are pregnant but if you are breast feeding after pregnancy this can be common place for the first two weeks as your milk comes in.
Your breast will feel heavy and you could possibly leak. If you decide not to breast feed your breast can be sore as your milk dries up.
Make sure you have a supportive bra to keep your breast lifted and comfortable. After you finish breast feeding your breast can begin to sag and deflate. Try building up the muscles in your chest to keep them perky.
