While motherhood is often fulfilling, pregnancy can significantly change your body. After delivery, you may notice the added weight, larger breasts, stretch marks, a bulging stomach, and an increase in your hip width. You may be uncomfortable with these changes, especially if you have an ideal body in mind.
The good thing is that they are temporary. Read on for insightful tips about how you can bounce back after pregnancy.
Go For Cosmetic Surgery
A mommy makeover is an excellent way to bounce back after child delivery. It aims at restoring your body to its pre-birth state. If you are uncomfortable with larger breasts or a bulging abdomen, a mommy makeover can help you alter them to your preferred look. It is best to consult a medical professional for these procedures. You can learn about mommy makeover to help you make an informed decision.
A typical makeover includes the following procedures:
- Breast Augmentation: The procedure restores the breast shape and enhances your appearance. During your pregnancy journey, your breasts will be fuller and broader. And as you go on to breastfeed your baby, the once perky breasts can sag. Saline or silicone implants that go with your body type are inserted through surgery. You don't have to worry about the scar as a breast fold can easily hide it. Alternatively, your doctor can cut under your armpit to strategically hide it.
- Liposuction: While traditional liposuction looks into removing excess fat, high definitive liposuction is ideal after pregnancy. The procedure adopts the sculpting approach instead of sucking out all the fats. Remember, the fats under your skin provide padding and define your curves. Instead of removing them, the fats can be transferred to your buttocks and breast for a curvier shape.
- Tummy Tuck: This procedure aims at toning your abdomen by removing loose skin and excess fat and tightening your abdominal muscles.
Note that the changes are different for every individual. As such, the procedures could vary depending on your body structure and appearance. Your healthcare provider can guide you through the process to achieve great results.
Work Out
The lack of strenuous activity during pregnancy can result in poor muscle tone. The most affected are your core and torso. These muscles are stretched as you carry your child for nine months. You also gain weight, which is essential for your baby's development. Even though you lose some in childbirth, some pounds stick around.
Thus, a postpartum workout plan would be best. Some of its benefits include the following:
- It helps shed baby fat.
- It helps tone your muscles.
- It improves your body image.
- It works out the glutes.
- It increases your metabolism.
Your after-pregnancy fitness goals may include losing weight and gaining muscle strength. Again, begin with simpler exercises and build towards more intensive routines. Recommended exercises include cardio, crunches, Kegels, and pelvic tilts.
It's prudent to liaise with your doctor when it's safe to start working out. If you've had a cesarean delivery, giving your body ample time to heal is best.
Breast Feed
One of the fastest ways to shrink your abdomen size is by breastfeeding. After delivery, your uterus goes through the process of involution, which helps it to grow back to its average size. The process is facilitated by the hormone oxytocin released during breastfeeding.
Additionally, breastfeeding can help you lose weight. It consumes about 600 calories daily, allowing you to burn fat significantly.
Eat Healthy Meals
Eating a nutritionally balanced diet is ideal after pregnancy. By monitoring your calorie intake, you can ensure you don't overfeed and add more weight. However, avoid crash dieting, wherein you drastically reduce your calorie intake in a short period. Remember, your body needs enough nutrients to recharge and heal after pregnancy. Your breastfeeding child also depends on your nutrients. So, cutting only a few calories off your diet ensures you stay healthy while losing weight.
Take Postnatal Vitamins
Your body loses a substantial number of nutrients during pregnancy and childbirth. As such, prenatal vitamins help supplement your body with lost nutrients. After delivery, you can continue taking postnatal vitamins to ensure your body recovers quickly.
Don't be tempted to shelve them once you start your workout plan, as they can give you the energy boost and protection your body needs.
Get Back To Your Sex Life
After birth, medical experts suggest you wait between two to six weeks to have sex, depending on the delivery process. Your pelvic muscles need time to recover after childbirth.
Once you heal, getting back to your sex life is essential. Remember, giving birth awakens your body to some high sensations. You might enjoy these intimate moments more than you did before you became a mom.
Moreover, sex is associated with relaxation because of the endorphins and oxytocin that are released during intercourse. With these in your system, you can expect a more stable mood throughout the day.
Conclusion
There's no doubt your pregnancy can have some significant effects on your body. Remember that you can celebrate your femininity, whatever shape or weight you have. However, if you are starting to feel uncomfortable with the changes, you can take charge of restoring your body to your desired shape and size.
Take note that restoration takes time. Rushing isn't ideal, as it may compromise your health. So, be kind to yourself and give yourself ample time to achieve your goals.
