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7 Post Pregnancy Body Changes

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7 Post Pregnancy Body Changes

7 Post Pregnancy Body Changes

It is very difficult to know which of the following post pregnancy body changes, if any, you will experience after pregnancy. What you need to know is how these changes may impact on your ability to start exercise postpartum.

7 Post Pregnancy Body Changes

While there are risk factors or signs, it will vary with each individual. There are common follow-on changes your body will experience and the degree and severity of each will also vary. This is why you need to seek approval from your health care professional before commencing an exercise program.

Do You Have Diastasis Recti?

I have already talked about having diastasis recti postpartum and how my Core Rehab for Mamas program was specifically designed for mamas with abdominal separation.

It is important that you know your current health status before exercising. And if you are not sure then you should seek medical help.

For right now, you can do a self check for diastasis. It is important you only move on tot my Stronger Mama Challenge once your body has healed. This challenge is designed for mamas who are ready to lose baby weight and tone-up.

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My 7 Week Postpartum Recovery

While I experienced my own personal challenges after childbirth; I was able to enjoy a speedier recovery due to the way I looked after my body throughout my pregnancy. My prenatal workouts helped me to enjoy a strong core and have the ability to heal my ab separation within five months postpartum.

For the first 12 weeks I completed the Core Rehab for Mamas program and then once my body had healed I was able to start my more intense Stronger Mama workouts.

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Body Changes after Childbirth

1. Low Energy Levels

Being pregnant can be exhausting enough.

When baby arrives and you are up every few hours to feed and change nappies (diapers) then it is understandable that you will experience sheer exhaustion due to now transitioning into a full-time role of caring for your baby.

While you may not feel like it; my post-baby recovery workouts are designed to keep this in mind which is why they are short and designed for you.

Maintaining some form of activity will help you to recover.

2. Incontinence

During pregnancy you feel like you are constantly running to the toilet caused by baby pressing on your bladder. Pressure on the urethra during delivery can make urination difficult postpartum.

You may also experience a UTI (urinary tract infection) which can cause a burning sensation when you urinate.

3. Sweating

Your body will start to get rid of all the fluids it accumulated during your pregnancy and as a result you may experience excessive sweating at night.

4. Constipation

You are likely to experience constipation post-pregnancy if you were constipated during pregnancy.

5. Vaginal Discharge

After delivery, you will start to have a vaginal discharge made mostly of blood and what is left of the uterine lining from your pregnancy. This is called lochia and can last for several weeks.

6. Back Pain

There are a number of reasons as to why you may experience back pain after pregnancy.

Back pain could arise due to poor posture during pregnancy. Or because your body is putting extra weight on the muscles of your back.

This can often cause continual back pain until the abdominal muscles tighten up again.

Participating in my postnatal exercise workouts will put you in good stead to reduce the severity of back pain as you will likely have strengthened your lower back during our programs.

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7. Swollen Legs

During pregnancy, you may have experienced swelling and puffiness in your legs which may continue (to a lesser degree) after you give birth.

Please always discuss any post-baby body changes with your doctor and be kind to yourself during this life-changing period as you take on motherhood while ensuring you devote some time to looking after yourself.

Takeaway

The 12 weeks after pregnancy, often referred to as 'the fourth trimester' is a time to heal your body. It is extremely important that you only start a recommended postpartum exercise program when you are ready. Performing the wrong exercises may only delay your recovery and create new problems for you.

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