9 Ways Your Body Changes After Pregnancy
The way your body changes after pregnancy can be a cause for concern for many women. That’s why it’s important to know how your body may transform after giving birth. At the same time, you should keep in mind that your physical appearance isn’t the only thing that will change. Your mind may also start to behave differently .
This is because giving birth to a new life is a marvelous but also very tiring process. That’s why it’s so important to take special care of yourself during and after pregnancy in order to recover properly. Knowing all of this will help you better prepare for the new experiences that are coming your way.
“Making the decision to have a baby is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
– Elisabeth Stone –
In the article below, you’ll find a list of the ways your body may experience changes after pregnancy. You can take on all of them in a healthy way with acceptance, patience, and good habits.
The most common way your body changes after pregnancy
1. Hair loss
Sudden hair loss is very common and can last for up to a year after childbirth. This is due to a decrease in estrogen levels, which increase during pregnancy and go down afterward. This condition usually balances out around 7 or 8 months after giving birth.
2. The shape of your breasts
This is another one of the ways your body changes after pregnancy. When a new mother begins breastfeeding, her breasts may feel swollen, irritated, and very sensitive. Once the consistency of her milk begins to change and her body gets used to breastfeeding, they’ll go back to their normal shape and size.
3. The structure of your vagina
Given the drastic stretching of your pelvic floor during pregnancy and childbirth, your muscles become looser. It will take several weeks before tissue goes back to its original position and initial shape. Fortunately, there is something you can do to accelerate the process. Specialists recommend doing Kegel exercises to tone this part of your body.
4. Weight gain
One of the most notable ways your body changes after pregnancy has to do with your weight. On average, women gain about 24 pounds during pregnancy, which you’ll gradually shed.
Weight gain during pregnancy has to do with your body releasing excess water lodged in cells, amniotic liquid, and the placenta. And of course, part of that number pertains to the weight of your baby.
5. The appearance of your skin
The hormonal fluctuations that take place during and after pregnancy have an impact on your skin. It’s common for there to be many dark patches on certain areas of your face.
But this is something you can control with sunscreen. In the same way, stretch marks may appear on different parts of your body. Fortunately, you can treat them with different oils and lotions.
Internal changes
6. Abdominal cramping
Your uterus contracts and goes back to its normal size once you’ve given birth. These contractions are painful and feel like labor pains. They’re frequent during breastfeeding.
7. Digestive and urinary issues
It’s common for women to experience postpartum incontinence due to the stretching of the bladder. You can fix this by exercising specific muscles. Also, some women suffer from hemorrhoids and constipation after giving birth. While both of these conditions can be uncomfortable, a healthy diet will help you resolve the issue.
8. Loss of sex drive
Because your estrogen levels go down once you give birth, it’s not rare to feel like your sex drive’s taken a dive. Fear and pain in the genital region can also contribute to this decrease. But don’t worry, over time, your hormone levels and the conditions of your vagina will go back to normal .
9. Depression
One of the most delicate possible internal changes after pregnancy is depression. There are a variety of causes, which include hormone imbalances, lifestyle changes, lack of rest, and physical discomfort. While this is a transition period, you need to communicate with your loved ones and look for a suitable solution.
In conclusion, all of these changes after pregnancy come hand in hand with hormonal and psychological changes. While they may be difficult to deal with in many situations, you can keep them under control with the right care.
Your baby isn’t the only one that needs attention after childbirth. Mothers also need to be careful to live a healthy lifestyle. Take the time you need to rest, eat well, and enjoy motherhood to its fullest.