by Jennifer Shakeel

Congratulations! You made it through labor and delivery and you are the proud parent of one of the most beautiful babies in the world! That’s right, you can now take that big sigh of relief… you are no longer pregnant. As you lay in the hospital bed, you are overwhelmed by the desire to stand up and see your no longer pregnant body. You are almost jittery with excitement of putting on those pre-pregnancy clothes. Once the pain killers wear off you jump out of bed to stand in front of the mirror and marvel at your no longer pregnant body…

Marvel indeed! Chances are it is not what you were expecting. I can tell you that last month, as I gave birth to my third child, a scheduled C-section, I asked my doctor if while she had me open she would go ahead and do liposuction and take care of everything while she was there. She laughed and told me I really didn’t need it (music to a pregnant woman’s ears) that there was really very little fat there and she was impressed. Naturally then I was looking forward to being back to where I was before I was pregnant.

But then there was the reality of my no longer pregnant body… it was not what I had hoped… and I was surprised but what I experienced. First, let’s get one thing very clear, you are going to leave the hospital with an inflated stomach. You may not be pregnant anymore but you are still going to look like it. As upsetting as this may be to hear… you are probably going to look that way for at least a week depending on how much weight you put on during your pregnancy. I should also say that it will depend on which type of delivery you had, natural or c-section.
Here is a small list of other normal changes that you can expect after giving birth:

Stretch marks, most women cringe at the sight of the new marks that are on various parts of their body. I look at them as signs of achievement. My husband refers to them as my flames of victory, and my son thinks they look like seaweed. They don’t go away; they will fade though, in time.

Vaginal bleeding, this is normal and can last for a couple of weeks all the way up to six weeks after giving birth. It will change though, from being a bright red to a darker reddish brown to a yellowish discharge to clear. The color changes indicate how well the uterus is healing.

Night sweats; no this isn’t a sign of menopause. Your body is simply getting rid of any extra fluids left in the tissues that you acquired during your pregnancy.

Breast tenderness will also become an issue, atleast in the beginning. As your body prepares to feed your newborn the breasts will swell and be tender to the touch. This will usually go away in after a few days, whether you are breast feeding or not. If you are not breastfeeding and are looking for a way to relieve the discomfort you can get a head of cabbage, cut it in half and place it in the freezer. Then you will take two leafs and place one on each breast and wear the cabbage leaves until they are room temperature and replace them with new leaves. The estrogen in the cabbage leaves will help dry up the milk and relieve the engorgement and tenderness.

Accept these few bits of wisdom right now. First, you are not going to be the same size and shape after giving birth that you were before you were pregnant. I say this to all mothers, regardless of how many kids you have had, because it is with my third that I struggled with this the most. So take my wise husband’s words of advice, “You just had a baby, give yourself a break.” Second, it took you nine months to grow a happy and healthy baby inside you… nine months of changes to your body… those changes are not going to go away nine minutes after delivery. Thirdly, cherish these moments… because it is the only time in your life when people are going to tell you how wonderful you look… no matter how bad you think you look.

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by Patricia Hughes

Weight gain is a major concern for many pregnant women. You want gain enough to grow a healthy baby, but not so much that it’s really difficult to lose after the baby is born. The recommended range for healthy weight gain in pregnancy is between twenty five and thirty five pounds. If you were overweight prior to the pregnancy, you may be advised to gain a bit less. If you were underweight before you became pregnant, you may be advised to gain a little more. Always make sure you consult with your health care professional to make sure any dietary changes are right for you. Here are some tips and ideas.  

Following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight gain. If you think of pregnancy as a time to go crazy and eat anything and everything you crave, you will gain more weight. You are not really eating for two. The baby requires about three hundred calories per day above your normal dietary calories. This is about the amount of calories found in two glasses of milk.

Make healthy food choices for both meals and snacks. Include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, whole grains, dairy products and milk in your diet every day. When you are planning your menus, be sure to include foods from each of these food groups at every meal. Pay attention to calcium, protein and iron, which are very important for your baby. Take your prenatal vitamins as recommended by your health care provider.

Cut out the chips and soda for snacks. These are full of empty calories, sugar and fat. Choose healthy snacks, such as yogurt, carrot sticks, granola, fresh fruit or string cheese. Healthy foods will help you feel full and ensure your baby is getting the nutrients needed for healthy growth. If you work, pack a bag with healthy snacks to keep at your desk. This will keep you away from the vending machines in the afternoon. If you are at home, keep fresh vegetables peeled and ready to eat in the refrigerator for a quick snack.

Pay attention to what you have to drink each day. Soda, coffee and other caffeinated beverages are also full of sugar and empty calories. Avoid these beverages and choose milk, juice and water instead. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. This will keep you well hydrated without the added weight gain. If you don’t like plain water, try flavored water.

Regular exercise has many benefits for pregnant women. Exercise helps control weight gain and prepares your body for the work of labor. Try to exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, three to four days a week. Exercise is safe for most pregnant women. Talk to your doctor to be sure it’s safe for you to exercise before you begin any routine. Drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated before, during and after your workout.

Choose an activity that you enjoy. If you like what you are doing, you are more likely to exercise. Low impact forms of exercise are generally considered safe for pregnant women. Some good low impact exercise ideas include prenatal yoga, swimming and walking. When you begin to exercise, start off slow. You can increase your intensity and extend your time spent exercising gradually. Stop working out and call your doctor if you feel dizzy, faint, have a sudden headache or experience any leaking fluid from your vagina.

Don’t be so concerned about weight gain that you don’t get enough nutrition. Proper nutrition is essential for your growing baby. You should not attempt to diet or lose weight when you are pregnant. If you are concerned about the amount of weight you are gaining, talk to your doctor. He may be able to offer some suggestions or refer you to a nutritionist, if needed.

 Click here to check out Pregnancy Without Pounds