© 2010, Carol Peterson, ICCE, CD(DONA) Erie, PA

Birth Journeys

Carol Peterson, ICCE, HCHI, CD(DONA)

Instilling Confidence in Birth Since 2004

814-899-7722  * cbecarol@yahoo.com * Erie, PA

Honoring Your Postpartum Body

By Carol Peterson, May 2010 Newsletter

 

I distinctly remember looking at my belly right after my first child was born.  I exclaimed, “Wow.  Look at how flat my belly is.”  Within a few weeks those words were a mere vapor in my mind as I looked at my body and thought “Ugh.... Look at how flabby I am!”.  Based on tabloids, we “should” be back to our pre-pregnancy weight within a few short weeks.  In reality, this is rarely the case for those of us that do not have full time nannies, personal chefs, and trainers.  Many of us never regain the exact same body.  Those “favorite jeans” just don’t fit the same; things that were perky aren’t quite so anymore.

 

No, I no longer look like I am 25.  I’ve birthed two babies and breastfed both for over a year.  But, the reality is that even if I didn’t have children, I still would not look like I am 25.

 

If you are a new mom who is struggling to accept her postpartum body, here are some points to ponder and things to try:

 

• Remember that you grew a person.  YOUR body grew a child through a complex process involving a tremendous amount of your body’s resources.  Keeping this in mind can help many moms remember to be kind to themselves as they look in the mirror.
• Respect your body’s need to heal.  Whether a cesarean or vaginal birth, the process of birth requires a certain amount of healing time.  Respecting this can make the healing process easier.  Entering into a vigorous exercise regimen and restricting calories can not only make physical healing longer but can interfere with milk production.
• Eat well and drink lots of water.  Eating a well balanced diet and drinking lots of water will give you more energy, fuel your milk supply, help you to lose weight at a reasonable pace, and make your skin look great.
• Visit the chiropractor.  I have a friend who could not fit into her jeans well after her twins were born.  She weighed the same as she did before babies, but the jeans did not fit.  When she visited her chiropractor, she found that her hips were not properly aligned.  She went home, and slipped into those old jeans.  Maybe this won’t happen to you, but a trip to the chiropractor to get the spine aligned may help in other areas.
• Take a walk.  Listen to your body on this one, but once you feel up to it, take a walk.  Sling your baby and head out in the sun shine, even in winter.  Start with just a short walk, and build from there.  Exercise and fresh air is good for the body and the soul.
• Get some sleep.  Sleep deprivation is not good for the body, or our outlook.  If you have a baby who sleeps only during the day, ask your partner, grandma, or friend to snuggle baby for a night, bringing her to you for breastfeeding, or consider sleep sharing.  A night with minimum sleep interruptions not only does the body good, but can help our outlook on life as well.  Remember too, sleep during the day when baby sleeps!
• Buy an outfit that looks good on your body NOW.  No one likes to keep wearing maternity clothes when the pregnancy is over, and not everyone can fit right back into their pre-pregnancy clothes shortly after birth.  So, head out to a consignment store and pick up a few new pieces.
• Love your cleavage.  Many breastfeeding moms know that this is the only time in their life they will ever have cleavage, so when you are shopping, pick up one top that shows off your décolleté.

 

Remember, this time with your new baby is precious.  It is easy to lose sight of this amid sleep deprivation and frequent feedings.  It took 9 months to grow a baby, and it may take just as long to return to your usual self.  So, be kind to yourself.  Better yet, thank your body for the miracle of life.