Being Pregnant
7 Awesome Things About a Postpartum Body
Last week Devan did a post called 7 Awkward Things About a Postpartum Body (all of which are true, by the way), but there’s also a positive side that should be noted.
First of all, there’s no use stressing and fearing the changes that will happen. Of course you should be prepared for a surprising amount of hair loss and bleeding, but there’s no reason to be terrified. The postpartum period is as natural as pregnancy, and goes by much faster than the past 9 months.
And believe it or not, there are positive aspects — beyond the superficial and beyond your expectations. While every body is uniquely different (and will recover in its own way), here are 7 awesome things about your postpartum body:
1. You’re not pregnant anymore.
Yeah the uterus cramps suck, but the uncomfortable largeness, uncomfortable pressure and uncomfortable swelling — all done. That belly that won’t stop growing is suddenly replaced with a loveable baby who you can hold, snuggle and shower with kisses. Although your baby might go from occupying your belly to occupying your breasts, your internal body is all yours again. You can even sleep on your stomach!
2. You’re feeding a human.
For those who breastfeed, your body will be nourishing and sustaining a human life. That’s pretty awesome.
3. You burn at least 500 calories a day by breastfeeding
Milk production requires energy, which then burns calories. Scientifically speaking, you could lose a pound a week just by breastfeeding. According to PhD in Parenting, producing one ounce of breastmilk burns approximately 26 calories, and babies typically take in approximately 25 ounces of milk day. This means you can burn around 230,000 calories in your first postpartum year, just by breastfeeding.
4. It takes around 6 weeks for your uterus to shrink back down and for your body to recover.
Considering the pregnancy took almost a year, it’s a pretty short recoup period.
5. It’s all about genetics.
Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean that every postpartum gripe will happen to you. I know plenty of moms who walked away from pregnancy without a single stretch mark, and a few without any complaints about their postpartum breasts. And I know for me, personally, I didn’t have any feet growth, urinary incontinence, hemorrhoids, excessive sweating, or varicose veins (all of which I prepared myself to have).
6. Your body is being used the way it was designed to be used
There’s a reason women have mammary glands, nipples, ovaries, a uterus and a vagina. And while I’m NOT saying that all women need to procreate in order to fulfill their body’s purpose, it’s pretty incredible how natural this process is for our bodies. And even if there’s some stomach puckering and scarring, the way your skin snaps back down is nothing short of awesome.
7. You might have more self-awareness/self-pride
I’ve written before about how I never respected and listened to my body until I was pregnant. I pushed myself too far; put myself down too much. But once I saw all that my body could handle (pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding) and all that my body was capable of doing, I finally had an awe-struck appreciation for my body. I was proud of my body for the first time. And that lesson, that realization, is something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
Go Back To Being Pregnant
18 Comments
Taz commented on Nov 07 11 at 2:56 pmyay! a completely positive little article about the postpartum body!! i read that first article and while it is good to be prepared it was also a bit terrifying. i only love this article more for mentioning that women who chose not to have kids aren’t any less awesome than moms!!
Nadia commented on Nov 07 11 at 3:07 pmThank you so much for posting this! I LOVE positive articles! Number 7 is totally true. I am still pregnant, but I already feel that self-pride. I grew a human! That is absolutely amazing. :)
http://www.fitandpreggers.com/pregnancy/general-pregnancy/stretch-marks/
Hollie commented on Nov 07 11 at 4:22 pmNumber 7 was true for me, too. I never (NEVER, NEVER) liked or respected my body before I was pregnant. After creating and giving birth to a whole human being, I am just in awe at how cool my body is. (How long until someone comments about number 3, saying that breastfeeding/calorie burning is a lie? There’s always one, ha ha).
Rosie T. commented on Nov 07 11 at 4:49 pmWhat a wonderful and positive article! At 34 weeks pregnant with my first, I needed this! Thank you so much!!
michellehorton commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:03 pm@Rosie: I remember seeking out “what will happen to my body” articles and being so discouraged during my pregnancy. And maybe that’s why I have such a positive outlook (it’s not as bad as I thought! hooray!), but I think these are important things to realize. And all 100% true.
michellehorton commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:04 pm@Rosie: Oh, and congratulations! :) Almost there!
michellehorton commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:05 pm@Hollie: Ha! Yes, I know! Regardless of whether someone actually loses all of the baby weight just by breastfeeding, we’re still burning all of those calories! That’s very much true.
michellehorton commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:05 pm@Nadia: It IS amazing! Congratulations!
michellehorton commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:06 pm@Taz: I’m glad you like it!
Jennifer commented on Nov 07 11 at 5:09 pmHated my body before, during and now after. Gained 60 lbs with each of my three children. Tried hardest this time around, eating so carefully and it happened anyway. I consoled myself by saying that my body had done this before and I knew that I could get my body back after…then I had to trade in my planned home birth for cesarean, and I have a hideous, asymmetric scar that will never go away. And I am still 20+ lbs overweight 4 months after the surgery. My baby’s father still hasn’t indicated he is interested in any sort of intimacy with me, and in fact, my previous marriage broke up because my ex-husband was only intimate with me once after my first was born, and that’s how I got my son. After my son was conceived, we were married for 2 1/2 more years, and he never touched me again. There is nothing here to like.
Samantha at ShesNotBroken commented on Nov 07 11 at 7:19 pmYou forgot nursing cleavage. My boobs have never looked so good in my life. I love the calories nursing burns, too. Best diet ever.
Elaine Petrowski commented on Nov 07 11 at 11:26 pmTerrific positive article.
As a postpartum doula I caution my clients that there is nothing magic about the six week period. Your uterus may shrink back to pre-pregnancy shape in that time frame, but don’t be surprised if you are not yet back to being your pre- pregnancy self. The six weeks postpartum period is arbitrary. Many moms are dismayed that they are not more “together” or “back to normal.” But It often takes MUCH longer for a new mom to feel she has her life together and under control. Even if this was not her first baby, she’ll need time to fit this new little person into her family and life and get things figured out and on track. Be gentle with yourself. Accept offers of help from friends and family. And sleep when your baby does!
michellehorton commented on Nov 08 11 at 6:29 am@Samantha: Unfortunately that doesn’t last! I wish it did!! I’m right back down where I started, but I loved it while it lasted.
happymomma commented on Nov 08 11 at 8:16 ami just wish i had of gotten a heads up on gaining weight…i gained 70lbs….about 40lbs of it was fat and excess skin…so now 5 almost 6 months after having my daughter…i have a major donut around my waist…and unless i’m considering a tummy tick and lipo…my personal trainer at the gym said its not going to get any better…i’ve lost all the weight i really can…i miss my pre-pregnancy body…i just struggle like hell for almost a year to loose 30lbs..and gained it back in 4 months :(
Becky commented on Nov 08 11 at 8:50 amShort term, the calorie burning that came with breastfeeding was a great joy! Long term, my cycles are now regular for the first time in my life.
snakecharmer commented on Nov 08 11 at 9:54 amWith my first, I just decided that I was not in charge anymore and to just go for the ride! I was certainly amazed at what my body just seemed to know how to do automatically and although I did have a number of weeks recovering from an emerg c-section, I just took it all a day at a time. I think the best was loss of weight from breastfeeding for me. I told myself I wouldn’t even go near a scale until I was at least 4 months post-partum and to just be gentle with myself. I was shocked to find out I had nearly lost all my baby weight by that time and went on to lose even more (my pre-pregnancy clothes were loose on me). It was kinda crazy!
Mariana commented on Nov 09 11 at 9:57 amGreat article!
Roslynn commented on Nov 09 11 at 10:05 amNumber 7 is a joke. I gained 50 pounds with my first, had high blood pressure and sciatic nerve pain which required me to be sitting for the last month of pregnancy. Then I had a HORRIBLE tear in my perineum and a prolapse uterus and bladder and didn’t want to move after I had the baby for three months. So here I sit, one year later still 40 pounds heavier feeling flabby and fat. Every day is a struggle to even TRY to think that I might be an attractive person. I have ZERO self pride and LESS THAN ZERO self confidence. There is not a single full lenght mirror in my house, becuase I do not want to look at myself. If I did, I would probably throw up. I hate my body. This is coming from a woman who did her whole labor without a single drug. Sure, my body is “amazing”, but that doesn’t mean I like it, have pride in it or am in any way, shape or form confident.
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