Women’s bodies go through massive changes during pregnancy and giving birth is quite an endurance test. Mum’s recovery from it all is important for the whole family. By recovery I don’t mean looking exactly the same as before pregnancy (our bodies do change for ever) although aiming to regain the health and fitness levels post partum will most likely have the by-product of a slimmer and stronger body!
Losing the baby weight shouldn’t be a priority in my view but we shouldn’t forget that mum’s health is important to baby’s wellbeing as well. Personally it is important to me to feel comfortable in my own skin – to feel good but also to look good. I’m not afraid to admit that. My baby is always my number one priority but it’s in her interest as well that I take care of myself.
Six weeks ago I gave birth to my beautiful little girl. Needless to say our lives have dramatically changed. The changes don’t end there however but my own reflection in the mirror has changed quicker than ever during pregnancy!
I was extremely happy to be pregnant and so proud of my bump – I did not mind the big pregnant body at all but I did wonder how I would feel about the “deflated bump” and extra baby weight after she’d be born and how long it’d feel before I was back to “normal”.
Now after six weeks I can answer the first question: I don’t really care (read: I do care a tiny bit). All the physical changes were the result of my baby being created which is wonderful! And what’s more, I’ve been able to exclusively breastfeed her and she’s growing at an amazing speed just on my milk! How I look like is definitely secondary but I don’t think it’s vain to think about it, as many women do, and I admit that partly why I haven’t freaked out by the post-baby body is because I’ve seen the quick reversal that’s been taking place. I’ve been healthy and my body worked wonders during pregnancy and now it’s doing it post partum.
I was blessed with an uncomplicated natural labour (see birth story part 1 and birth story part 2) and didn’t need any stitches which meant that I recovered quickly from giving birth and felt very close to normal just a few days later. The bleeding lasted for about a week after which I had some spotting for another two weeks. Considering the discomfort of late pregnancy and the intense pain of giving birth the aftermath was easy!
I gained 10kg during my pregnancy of which 9kg is now gone. I was 6kg down already right after birth and another 2kg came off in the first two weeks which indicated that most of the weight gain was indeed directly baby related plus water retention. I didn’t carry very big (hence no stretch marks or abdominal separation) and the uterus shrank back to its normal size quickly which meant I looked “normal” just days after Maia’s birth. However, if you’ve heard about the “screw the scales” movement you’ll know that fitness not about the number on the scales – my shape is quite different and no doubt fitness level is far from what it used to be before falling pregnant despite being nearly back to my pre-baby weight.
I’ve received positive comments about not looking like I just had a baby and how lucky I am. But to be honest, “bouncing back quickly” has not been down to luck. I worked hard for this. I stuck to my training plan and ate healthy(ish) during my pregnancy instead of pigging out and spending nine months on the sofa. I’m not saying this to toot my own horn, only to be real – it requires work to stay in shape, pregnant or not. It does not just happen, especially once you’re in your thirties. And in my opinion, my fit pregnancy was definitely worth it. 😊
As I’m breastfeeding Maia, I am not on a diet but quite the contrary – I try to make sure I eat enough carbohydrates and good fats to boost to quality of the milk I produce. That being said it’s difficult to remember to have my own meals when tired and looking after the baby! Thankfully my baby’s dad has been cooking for us at nights and often saves some for my lunch.
Because I felt good soon after giving birth, I have been active since, going on daily long walks and doing some pelvic floor and core exercises. I’ve only just gotten back to the gym but more than anything it’s to have a little “me-time”. My post natal checkup is not until two weeks from now and while I feel great I’d prefer to have my GP confirm that before starting to increase the intensity of my workouts. Also, I’ve been pretty tired!!
I made a little fitness motivation collage for myself, using my own pictures from last year (see below)! With persistence and diligence I’m sure I’ll get back into shape eventually, even if I’d never look exactly the way I did before. There is no need for that anyway, the main thing is to feel good in my own body and to take good care of it. And to fit into a wedding dress of course! 😊
In a few weeks time I’ll get to make a proper post-baby training plan!
xoxoxo,
Sini