My Body After Birth

Immediately after my pregnancy, I turned my focus to healing and recovering. After all, my body had just brought new life into the world. While it was an amazing experience, I knew I had to heal my body after birth in order to enjoy motherhood.

I always did my prenatal Pilates workouts throughout my pregnancy and now, as a mama, I am continuing with Pilates as it is helping me to regain my body confidence.

I remember one of our PregActive Mamas telling me the first eight weeks is just like you are trying to keep a potato alive. There's no smiles and you are covered in poop and vomit, and not sleeping.

Well, if that's the case, I have a very cute potato. And I adore him, and to be honest, have loved the first eight weeks.

Apart from week five that is. That's when, and wait for it, I got.

My Body after Birth and MASTITIS!

Boom. Just like that my whole life got tipped upside down and bumped on the head when I got mastitis.

So that's why I don't have a progress photo for week 5! I was busy stuffing cabbage leaves down my bra. The Friday night I had a fever and then exhaustion all weekend.

And then it was a week of staying inside, not seeing anyone and not doing anything but trying to keep my cute potato-head alive.

Postpartum Progression

Progression isn't a straight line.

I want to keep it real. To tell you how it is. And to motivate you to keep going, even if it sometimes feels like you are stepping backwards not forwards.

Fitness progression is not a straight line upwards.

For us women, we have an abundance of hormones that race through our bodies, so regardless of pregnancy / post-pregnancy recovery, unlike our male counterparts, no woman has a direct linear fitness progression. Menstruation and our cycles just don't let us.

But we still expect it? We still strive for it? And we get so disappointment when we have that 'bloated day'.

Well My Dear, Guess What?

The progression post-pregnancy is not linear. So don't expect it to be.

You'll see my progress photos look like they go in order. They are a week apart, taken at the same time every day (well, I attempted to, sometimes I was covered in baby vomit and on my third outfit for the day by 9am!.

But later in the day I could be more bloated and feel like I looked like I did in week one!

We all do it. We all focus on the belly. We use this part of our body, which is the area that fluctuates the most, to judge whether we feel good about ourselves or not.

So How Do You Overcome this?

I hope that by me sharing my progression with you, it will make you feel better about yourself and your own progression. Because we are all beautiful, inside and out and need to stop focusing on the negative and just keep going, with the right advice and the right actions.

Persistence is the Key

10 pelvic floor exercises will take you less than 30 seconds to do. You can even do it whilst feeding your baby, whilst rocking your baby, whilst brushing your teeth, whilst lying in bed or even whilst watching day-time TV.

You Just Gotta Do it.

And I'm so glad I have been doing mine.

You see, Max, as adorable as my little potato head is, came out with a big head (98th percentile) and at 8.5 pounds and big shoulders, although I had no drugs and absolutely LOVED my birth, and no tearing from his head popping out, his shoulders gave me a nice third degree tear.

Nasty.

So yes, I booked in for my women's health physio to do a home visit on day three, and then my Mum to mind Max whilst I prioritized an appointment at 3 weeks and then again at 6 weeks.

Pelvic floor is one of those funny things that you can't see, you can only feel. And often after you've had a baby, you can't really feel much!

I'd highly recommend seeing a women's health physio, and know that' it's never too early, but it can be too late.

Here's What it Took to Heal My Body After Birth

Weeks 1 and 2 Post Birth

Those first couple of weeks were a bliss of feeding and lying. I actually fed lying down. I want every mama out there to know that she can feed lying down, as I’ve had a few Mothers say to me 'Oh I wish I was told about that'.

You see mama, being horizontal in your first two weeks is essential. It doesn't matter who you are, or how you birthed your baby, you don't want to be fighting against gravity.

Your Pelvic Floor

Your pelvic floor worked over time during your pregnancy and now needs help to rebound. And gravity isn't going to help the situation.

Most women think that sitting down is enough, but you are still putting pressure downwards. Sit and stand as little as you can in those first few weeks, and lie down as much as you can. Even whilst feeding if possible.

Your bed should be the place you are most of the time, and when are up, get outside, even just to stand at your back door and breathe the fresh air in from your back yard.

Weeks 3 and 4 Post Birth

After doing just pelvic floor exercises and gentle abdominal exercises (which is what Module one in the PregActive for Mamas program has, I started to feel more capable. And by capable, I mean standing for longer periods of time. Going for short walks. Doing some all four kneeling exercises.

I started to do a bit more.

Before this point my husband literally did all the food and snack prep and delivered it to me. He made me cups of tea. We minimized visitors. We basically stayed in a bubble.

Week three was when he went back to work, and so I then invited people to visit mid-week. Which was great. And then, on the weekend we spent it as a family of three and had no visitors. Highly recommend it!

Weeks 5 and 6 Post Birth

These were my toughest weeks for sure.

I'd over done it at the end of week 4 and had too many visitors in the week. To be honest, I was nervous to have a day just me and Max, completely by ourselves the entire time. Looking back, I don't know why?

We all have our silly things that we do, and our future self looks back and says 'girl, what you doing?' and well, that was mine.

So Yep, Mastitis. Not fun.

But it slowed me right down.

Want to know the worst part? And you'll laugh at me as I say this, but having to think about WHEN I ate.

You see, I'm a snacker!

I eat every couple of hours. Just small amounts, but I love doing it.

I went on antibiotics and couldn't eat for 30 minutes before and two hours afterwards. Do you know how long 2.5 hours feels when all you want to do is eat?

So yep, rant over. So then, guess what I did in week 6.

EAT.

Still doing my exercises of course, but that new freedom to eat when I want was incredible. A new-found appreciate for it.

But then, as we all do, I started just eating the wrong food and not drinking enough water.

So then, I got constipation.

WTF?!

So yeah, week 6 wasn't so nice either.

Week 7 and 8 after Childbirth

I have never eaten so healthy, drank as much water and been so focused on my pelvic floor exercises as I have been since week 7.

Off the antibiotics, over the binge of naughty food, and back on track.

And I've never felt better.

A total new appreciation for the way I eat. Nuts, seeds, oats, yogurt, fruit, veggies, eggs, meat. And all fresh and all in abundance.

I'm still a new Mama. At 8 weeks today as I write this, I know that. But I also feel I've come a long way.

Eight full weeks since I birthed our little gorgeous boy, and my body has gone through a lot.

I can't stress enough how much persistence is key.

Knowing that the small little acts of kindness you give to your body and yourself add up to help you in the long run.

My Advice

So to all the pregnant mamas out there, and all the fresh new mamas with their little bundles of joy, my advice to you is this:

1. Stay horizontal in those first few weeks.

2. Start your pelvic floor exercises straight away. Start with 5 x 5 second holds and do it at least three times a day.

3. Drink lots of water. Like a lot. Like have a water bottle in every room.

4. Snack on veggie sticks, prunes, nuts and seeds to get your fibre up.

5. Don't over do it on the fruit as the sugars can be a bit much for your gut.

6. Enjoy your yogurt and have a probiotic.

7. Get outside for some fresh air.

Core Rehab for Mamas is for YOU after Childbirth

I've been following along the Core Rehab for Mamas program, and to be honest, I love it. It's 12 modules and with lifetime access, it's unlike any other program I've done. It's not pushy, it's supportive.

The core exercises are great, and at just 15-20 minutes I can fit it in, but then afterwards still feel good.

Become a Stronger Mama

If you are ready to get fit, strong and feel confident again with that sexy body you deserve; then my Stronger Mama Challenge is for you. Lose baby weight and become that strong mama you want to be.

Pilates for New Mothers

I love Pilates! I did my prenatal Pilates workouts every week of my pregnancy and I continue to do them now well into my postpartum recovery. But please be aware that there are some movements you must still avoid.

My postnatal Pilates workouts are modified to each stage of my postpartum recovery. Immediately after birth, I had to allow time for my diastasis recti to heal.

Abdominal separation is something all mamas get and you need to give it time to heal. There is no magic cure. But when ready, adding the right core exercises to your postnatal workouts will help you re-gain your body confidence.

Online Pilates-based wellness programs created by an expert women's health physio

Over five years ago we came up with a plan to deliver safe safe and effective core abdominal and pelvic floor exercises to women just like you. It all started with my in-studio Prenatal Pilates classes and then we moved online so that we could help women from all around the world.

One of the biggest barriers for many women was the cost of paying for a Pilates class every week. So, we created an online program that lets you workout when you want for around $5 a week.

It's All Online!

Our online Pilates-based exercise program is designed specifically for women who are pregnant or are now a mom. If you're experiencing pelvic floor issues or you want to reclaim your pre-pregnancy body, then PregActive can help you.

We're mamas, just like you!

And we know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by all the changes your body has been through when pregnant. We also know what postpartum recovery should be like. So let me and my team help you be fit, strong and healthy throughout your pregnancy and postpartum recovery.

Get Free workouts starting today >

And you know the best bit, the PAUSE button!

If I need to, I just stop it, and then start when I'm ready again. Or I do 5-10 minutes in the morning and finish the rest off in the afternoon.

With all this craziness that's happening in the world at the moment, we've put on an special for Mamas out there who need some at-home workout motivation.

And you know what, this program isn't just for fresh new mothers like me, it's for any mama that wants to reconnect her core, get rid of her mommy tummy and tone up to feel strong and confident.

Testimonials

I want to share with you some of the amazing and inspiring women I have helped with my online program. These are mamas just like you. So I know how important it is to have trust in your instructor so check out these inspiring stories from members such as Caroline, Jackie, Ash, Tiff, Becky, Felicity, Emma and many more.

Read Reviews and Testimonials >

Where am I Six Months After Childbirth?

I am not working on being an even fitter and stronger mama as my abdominal separation has healed. My Stronger Mama Challenge is now what I do and I am loving it! Come and join me.

Ready to Heal Your Body Beyond Childbirth? Then PregActive is for You!

I will help you strengthen your body through pregnancy, birth and after pregnancy so that you enjoy motherhood as a stronger mama! Take a peak inside my online programs for FREE!