Women typically lose 10 lbs. or more during childbirth -- this includes the weight of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid -- and a few more pounds during the week or two after delivery when shedding extra fluids. The rest of the pregnancy weight gain won't disappear on its own. If you're having trouble with weight loss, even after following a diet and exercise plan, you might need to evaluate underlying medical conditions or lifestyle factors that make losing the weight difficult.
Maintaining Realistic Expectations
Some women expect to drop all of the weight within a few weeks of giving birth. This can lead to frustration when the pounds don't immediately disappear. It can take as long as six months to return to your pre-pregnancy shape, even with diet and exercise. Most breastfeeding women experience the greatest weight loss between three to six months postpartum, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. Even after you drop the extra weight, pregnancy often changes your body shape. You might have excess skin from the abdominal stretching, and changes to your bone structure such as wider hips, might be permanent.
Health Issues
Hormonal changes can affect your ability to lose weight after pregnancy. WomensHealth.gov explains that some women develop thyroid problems in the first year after giving birth. The weight fluctuations associated with this condition can make it difficult to return to your pre-pregnancy weight. Postpartum depression, or PPD, another condition caused by shifting postpartum hormones, can also make it difficult to lose weight since the stress of the condition can lead to overeating. PPD can also cause lack of energy, which can make you unwilling to exercise. Schedule an appointment with your doctor so she can check for any underlying medical conditions that might contribute to your inability to lose weight.
Lifestyle Factors
Caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It might seem impossible to find time to sleep or eat regular meals. If you lack the time to prepare healthy, well-balanced meals, you might dine on fast food or processed convenience foods. You might also overindulge on "comfort" foods to break up the monotony of your day or shake off the new baby fatigue. These "extras", along with the difficulty of fitting exercise into your daily schedule, can cause you to hang on to the extra postpartum pounds.
Weight Loss Tips
Go through your pantry and refrigerator and get rid of high-fat products such as soft drinks, fried foods, desserts, fatty meats and alcohol, which might tempt you to stray from your healthy eating plan. Once you eliminate these foods, stock your cabinets with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, skinless poultry, beans and fish. Add an hour of physical activity such as brisk walking or jogging, into your daily routine. You can include your baby in this exercise by bringing her along in a jogging stroller or baby carrier. According to Dr. Sears, adding an hour of exercise and eliminating just one treat per day, like a cookie, can help you burn 500 calories a day. Keep track of your weight loss and adjust your exercise and diet accordingly.
