Having a baby comes with many changes in a mothers life, changes may come in the form of the home dynamics, the moms sleeping pattern and changes to their bodies.
The body changes that are likely to go away after sometime while some might be for keeps just like the new bundle of joy. While the body changes may be easily accepted by some moms others often find it difficult to do so. Following are five changes you may expect on your body after having a baby, as provided by Parents.
Thicker thighs and legs
It can take up to a year to lose the weight gained during pregnancy, says Dr. Dawson. To lose weight gradually, experts recommend a mix of exercise and well-balanced nutrition. High-protein, high-fiber foods promote a feeling of fullness and keep blood sugar levels stable, which makes it easier to eat reasonable amounts of food and helps your metabolism be more efficient. As for exercise, Flatt recommends moves that work multiple muscles.
Hair Loss
Many parents experience hair loss after pregnancy, the result of a drop in hormone levels. But relax—you aren’t as bald as you feel. In fact, hair often thickens during pregnancy; in the months after giving birth, you’re simply shedding that extra hair, explains obstetrician Shari Brasner, M.D. Things should return to normal after three months or so, but if your brush continues to resemble a small furry animal, consult your doctor. They may want to give you a thyroid test.
C- Section Scar
Though most C-section scars fade to a pencil-thin line in a year or two, they never completely disappear. “The key to making scars less visible is treating them early,” says Debra Jaliman, M.D., a clinical instructor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City.
Acne
The same hormones that cause some infants to develop acne may also affect your complexion, says Dr. Dimino. While your skin usually clears up on its own by your six-week postpartum visit, you may be able to speed things along by using an over-the-counter acne cream with salicylic acid. But talk to your doctor first if you’re nursing. To be absolutely safe, consider going the natural route: The drying and lightening properties of lemon juice make it an effective spot treatment.
Stretchmarks
These thin scars on the stomach, hips, breasts, or butt usually start out red, purple, or dark brown and then lighten within a year. “Whether you get stretch marks depends a lot on genetics and how quickly you gain weight,” says David J. Goldberg, M.D., director of laser research in the department of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. Prescription topical ointments like tretinoin cream can diminish the stretch marks, but they’re not safe to use while you’re pregnant or nursing, and they’re most effective when used soon after childbirth.
Also see: 4 Warning signs of postpartum depression
