Embracing the Postpartum Belly: How Will Mothers Address Their Postnatal Abdomens

postpartum belly postnatal abdomen mom after giving birth mom's body

By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Mar 25, 11:20 am

Photo: (Photo : Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Netflix )

Carrying and delivering a baby brings about significant changes. From the evident fact of becoming a parent to the more nuanced alterations, it impacts every facet of life.

While you may have foreseen numerous changes, such as sleepless nights, one aspect that may have taken you by surprise is how pregnancy transforms your body.

Adjusting to the transitions before, during, and after pregnancy can be difficult. The body experiences unusual changes, welcoming a new baby, responsibilities, and physical transformation. The postpartum belly often becomes a main point for progress after giving birth.

Changes Mothers Anticipate in Their Bodies After Childbirth

Pregnancy alters your body shape, adding pounds and leaving stretch marks. Even after delivery, your body may resemble its pregnant state, a reality that persists for some women for a year or longer. While the postpartum belly can diminish, it requires time and commitment.

After giving birth, you naturally lose weight, shedding approximately 13 pounds from fluid loss, placental expulsion, and your baby's weight departure. Despite this, your belly might retain its pregnancy appearance, a common occurrence as your stomach and uterus gradually contract to their pre-pregnancy sizes, typically within six weeks.

Breastfeeding aids in weight loss, burning around 500 calories daily, as your body utilizes stored calories to produce milk. However, if your postpartum belly persists, it's normal, given the adjustment to motherhood and the varying elasticity of individual skin.

Diastasis recti, or abdominal separation, is common during pregnancy, resulting from the uterus expanding and causing stomach muscles to part. It often leads to a protruding belly and can cause discomfort, especially in subsequent pregnancies or with larger babies.

Healing from abdominal separation postpartum takes time and may require specialized exercises, compression wear, or, in severe cases, surgical intervention.

Ways Mothers Enhance Their Postpartum Belly

To enhance the postpartum belly, slowly include exercise, starting with walking and light bodyweight exercises, and advance to running and core workouts once cleared by the doctor.

Pelvic floor exercises like Kegels are helpful. Continuing a healthy diet, as during pregnancy, supports both your well-being and the baby's if breastfeeding.

Above all, be real about your postpartum quest, permitting yourself sufficient rest and recovery time, and preventing comparing yourself to unreal standards.

With patience and adherence to suggested postpartum guidelines, you can attain weight loss without avoidable stress.

While you can prioritize your physical well-being with your doctor's guidance, focusing on practices like mindful eating and postpartum exercise, the most important step is to accept yourself as you are now and prioritize your mental health.

It's normal for new parents to feel uneasy as their bodies adjust postpartum, dealing with changes like excess skin, fat, and fluid retention from pregnancy and boosting confidence through alternative methods such as grooming, reading affirmations, or engaging in enjoyable activities.

Journaling can also provide grounding, focusing on personal growth and achievements.

Seeking support from a mental health professional is advisable if you're still struggling to accept your postpartum body or experiencing low self-esteem, as transitioning to this new phase can be overwhelming, and professional assistance can be invaluable.