Although it would be nice if your body miraculously returned to its prepregnancy state the instant you deliver the baby, this is not the case for most women. It can take weeks for you to recover from childbirth. After you heal, it can take several months longer to lose all of the pregnancy weight and to tone up your body. Fortunately, with plenty of patience and perseverance, most women can get back into their old jeans. Take it slow, and remember the miraculous feat your body recently accomplished.
Your Belly
Right after delivery, your uterus typically weighs about 2 lbs. Within two weeks, it shrinks to a pound. It typically takes four to six weeks for it to return to its prepregnancy weight of 2.5 oz. Your enlarged uterus, as well as your stretched-out abdominal muscles, can make it look like you are still pregnant for weeks after delivery. Time and regular exercise, including situps and abdominal crunches, can help your abdomen return to normal. Although most women can begin exercising as soon as they feel ready, women who had a C-section or other delivery complications might need to wait longer to do certain abdominal exercises. Discuss your situation with the doctor before starting an exercise program.
Your Breasts
Your milk usually comes in about two to three days after delivery. In the meantime, you will produce colostrum for your baby. Colostrum contains concentrated nutrients and disease-fighting antibodies. When your milk initially arrives, your breasts will often become sore and engorged. This temporary enlargement typically goes away once you establish your milk supply, if you choose to breastfeed, or when your body stops producing milk if you opt to formula feed. Cold packs on your breasts and a supportive bra can help alleviate some of the pain from engorgement.
Weight Loss
Most new moms lose about 12 lbs. of weight from the baby, placenta and extra fluids almost immediately. Many moms lose another 4 lbs. within the first week as they shed the water that their cells retained during pregnancy and fluids from the extra blood in their systems. Getting rid of the extra pounds will take a combination of healthy eating and physical activity, according to Mayo Clinic certified nurse-midwife Mary Murry. Murry suggests taking a daily walk, with baby in tow, and inviting new mom friends along.
When to Call Your Doctor
All women experience postpartum bleeding for several weeks as the uterus sheds its lining and heals. Check in with your care provider if you saturate a maxi-pad in an hour or pass a clot larger than a lemon. Other potential signs of postpartum problems include a fever higher than 100.4 F within the first 24 hours, pain with urination, calf pain or swelling and increasing pain or swelling in the vaginal area. Hormonal shifts can also make you vulnerable to postpartum depression. Call your doctor promptly if you experience sadness, crying, anxiety or mood swings.
References
- Babycenter: Body Changes After Childbirth
- Fisher-Price; The Fourth Trimester: What to Expect of Your Body After Giving Birth; Laura Stachel
- KidsHealth; Recovering From Delivery; Larissa Hirsch; June 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Weight Loss After Pregnancy
- Mayo Clinic; Weight loss after pregnancy: Tips from a specialist; Mary M. Murry; July 22, 2011
