You have just spent 9 months creating your perfect bundle of joy but What Happens After Childbirth? Your body is about to get into overdrive to get back into its Pre-Pregnancy State.
Its all going to be ok, as new mamas, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-time moms, our bodies will go through some Crazy Things that some of us won’t tell you or just don’t want to talk about.
I, myself, was in for quite a surprise and was literally learning new things about my body every day. Like when your baby cries and your nipples start to tingle and leak! I couldn’t believe it. Then there was the hair loss! My goodness! Between my infant pulling my hair and the postpartum fallout I for sure thought I was going to be bald.
There’s a lot more I went through not knowing what was next, that’s why I want to let my Mamas in on some of the Crazy but Amazing things that happen to our bodies.
Changes Happening in Your Body
Breast Changes
Theres engorgement, sore nipples, and leaky breasts! During the first couple days your breasts will create Colostrum which is full of nutrients for your baby. It’s yellow-colored and also known as Mamas Liquid Gold because its packed full of protein, fat, and antibodies.
By the third day, your breasts will literally double in size filling up with milk. Breastmilk is produced by your body on-demand, meaning the more you breastfeed the more milk your body will make.
Burning Vagina When You Pee
You might have had a smooth vaginal delivery but if you had a major tear that needed stitches or minor lacerations on your vagina lips, Truth Is, it’s going to burn like heck when you use the washroom. The trick is to use a water irrigation bottle to dilute your pee when using the washroom, your pee is very acidic and warm causing it to burn. The water bottle is a lifesaver, believe me. The good thing is that this will only last a couple of days.
Cramping
You will experience a lot of cramping after childbirth. Your Uterus expanded nearly 500 Times its size, so now it is time to shrink back down to the size of a pear.
You will especially feel cramping during breastfeeding. The nipple stimulation during breastfeeding causes hormones to be released which helps the uterus contract back into its pre-pregnancy size.
Hair Changes
You had Amazing Hair during pregnancy but after childbirth, What Happened?!? High hormone levels in your body stopped your hair from falling out as much, leaving it fuller and thicker. Hair loss usually stops after 6 months after giving birth and you should regain fullness within a year.
You Still Look Pregnant
Your postpartum belly won’t bounce back immediately after childbirth. You won’t be as round as you were 9 months pregnant but you will still look about 5 months pregnant.
Embrace your post-baby body and take your time. When you are ready you can start a light exercise routine, doctors recommend you wait until at least 6 weeks. In the meantime, you can start using a Belly Band as soon as two days after childbirth.
Sex is Going to be Painful at First
It is recommended by doctors to wait at least 6 weeks before having sex again. I would say if you feel ready and are in the mood, then go for it. Ease into it slowly. I would definitely recommend foreplay and try using some lubricant. Estrogen levels drop causing vaginal dryness which may be a little uncomfortable but your body is going to adjust eventually.
You’re Going to be an Emotional Rollercoaster
Welcoming a newborn is pure bliss but along with that, you have a ton of hormones trying to regulate back to normal. You may experience a ton of emotions from being extra happy to feeling weepy to irritability. It’s ok to not be ok all the time. With a lack of sleep and a new schedule, give yourself time to figure it out.
No Matter What You Will Be Ok
This is a new chapter in your life, enjoy it to the fullest because it honestly flies by so fast! The crazy changes that happen to your body after childbirth is minor compared to the joy and love you get from your baby. It’s precious to wake up to these perfect beings we created and watch them grow up to become something really special…
Wish I had this list prior to having my first child. I totally underestimated the changes my body would go through.
These are all so true! I just had my baby and those baby blues are no joke. All of my late-night google searches are asking what’s normal and what’s not – for both postpartum me and newborn baby! It is all so worth it, though, and the pain is so much better when I’m holding my precious bundle!
It is so worth it! Thank you!
Great info to prepare new moms for some of the changes that might happen after your baby is born.
That still looking pregnant and super emotional hit hard. An my hair lord I wish someone told me about that.
It’s a hard reality that we have to mentally prepare for!
These are all things I feel like get breezed over in the prenatal classes! I wish I had this list before I gave birth!
Nope they don’t tell you and you feel like you are going to literally break when it happens. I think the time goes by so fast that we forget but your right all of this except for the pee thing happened to me. Constipation was a mother though.
It’s such a new ballgame after having a baby, and I really think no matter how many babies and pregnancies your body handles it so differently
So true! I had two completely different experiences with my pregnancies.