A woman who had a normal weight before pregnancy will gain 10 to 14 kilograms during pregnancy. If you were overweight before, you should normally gain a little less during pregnancy than doctors allow for women who are not overweight. And, again, it is normal to return to your original pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth.
Many women are literally haunted by the fear of staying with the pounds gained during pregnancy forever. But look at those who are already a mom: are they back to their favorite jeans in a year or two after the birth of a child?
Chances are, they did. And so will you. If you treat your body and your body’s needs with love and attention, you will succeed within 6-8 months of having a baby.
Usually women are horrified in the first few days after having a baby when they realize that their belly has not particularly shrunk. The first desire – to go into panic about it – you need to stop common sense reasoning that this is a temporary phenomenon.
The volume of the abdomen will naturally decrease, and in the first weeks, even after natural childbirth (not to mention C-section) is not recommended to take any special measures in the form of physical activity.
Exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles can be done from 6-8 weeks after childbirth, not before. Until then it is allowed to practice asanas from yoga, if you are familiar with them and practiced them before pregnancy.
Breastfeeding is the key to a quick return to a normal weight. However, remember: it is important during the breastfeeding period to eat well and rationally.
Strict diets, which in the normal “pre-pregnancy” life could be fruitful in the fight against extra pounds, after the birth and the period of nursing can be detrimental. Rely on common sense in the choice of products.
Eliminate from your diet everything that is considered harmful. Industrial food and sweets, crisps and chips, baked goods, salads with mayonnaise – you have to say no to everything for the sake of quality nutrition baby and for the benefit of your body.
Drink plenty of water and tea. Fluid is essential for a nursing mother, in addition, as we know, the sufficient amount of fluid in the body is directly related to the condition of the skin and the maintenance of normal weight.
If there is an opportunity to sleep, and you think it is better to clean or cook something, then choose sleep. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed since the baby was born, sleep is still a good preventative against excess weight anyway.
Physical exercise
Do not push yourself and do not demand from your body the impossible: the volume of the abdomen will decrease, the muscles will tighten, the weight will return to normal, but it will all happen gradually. When there will be strength, desire and opportunity, you can try to return to the exercises from yoga, do Pilates.
Before pregnancy you were engaged in fitness, you can slowly return to exercise in two months after natural childbirth. Very useful are squats and exercises on different parts of the abdominal muscles. Be prepared that they will not be easy to do at once.
Most modern moms use special creams against stretch marks during pregnancy, as well as creams designed for women who have already given birth. These funds will not help get rid of excess weight, but will make it possible to keep the skin moisturized and supple, provide its nutrition.
A few months after childbirth – depending on how you feel and the readiness of your family to support you by organizing your free time – you can attend sessions of massage or hardware procedures.
The most important thing in the recovery process after childbirth is to know that all the changes that occurred in the body during pregnancy will disappear after some time.
Eat healthy food, smile more, love your baby, and in a few months you will wear your favorite jeans…