Your body after pregnancy - how will it really look?

Children may be miracles, but they are miracles that come with a small price tag. Here are a few bodily changes that may occur after birth.

A miracle that leaves it's mark...

Pregnancy and childbirth are both miraculous events. A woman’s body proves to be nothing less than magical during these times. The way that everything comes together to create and nurture a life is spectacular to say the least. Each part of the body plays its own part like a well-rehearsed orchestra. It is a wonderful time for everyone involved.

A woman falls in love with her child before birth and then falls more deeply when she first holds her creation. Every ache and pain during pregnancy and labour were worth this new miracle. The swelling, stretching, itching, irritating, etc. is instantly forgotten for a moment. When the warm fuzzy feeling of meeting one’s child has past, reality sets in. Whose body is this? Surely not mine! Where did these stretch marks come from? How come my shoes don’t fit anymore? Children may be miracles, but they are miracles that come with a small price tag.

Here are a few bodily changes that may occur after birth. Do note that this may not happen to every mum, there are some whose body bounces back without any sign of going through pregnancy, however that is the exception and not the norm.

1. Changes to your breasts

Whether you breast feed or not determines how different your breasts are post-delivery, but either way, chances are that they will never be the same after pregnancy. During pregnancy, your breasts will undoubtedly grow a bit larger. Your areolas (dark area around and including the nipple) will widen and become a bit darker. You may even develop stretch marks during pregnancy or after. When the baby comes, your breasts will swell with breast milk. After everything is said and done, your areolas should shrink back down to almost pre-pregnancy size, but the darkened pigment might stay permanently. If you breast feed, your breasts may have a deflated look to them. Exercise will help with this.

2. Changes to your stomach

So women, yes your body will definitely change after delivering your child/children. There are some things that will just never be the same. You can work out as much as possible, but your stomach will never be quite the same. You might lose all the weight, but signs such as lose skin and stretch marks are forever unfortunately. These changes are something you can dread and regret or something you accept. It’s up to you. Personally, I have bigger worries, especially with two kids now.

3. Changes to your hips

During pregnancy your hips will widen to allow for childbirth. This will take your look officially from young girl to woman status. Some women embrace this new look, while some despise it considering they can no longer fit into some pants or skirts. Breathe easily women; curves in the right places are attractive to most men. Even if you aren’t sure of the new curvier you, you will have to accept it sooner or later because your hips will not return to their pre-pregnancy state. On the positive side, should you decide on more children, your hips are already ready and good to go for childbirth again.

4. Changes to your vagina

This body change seems to give the most worry to women. After accommodating for childbirth, it is no wonder that women wonder if it will go back to normal. Will sex be the same? Will I still please my man? Of all the changes that are permanent after childbirth, this is not one of them. Rest assured ladies, your vagina should be pretty close to pre-pregnancy after a few months. Sure, there may be some small differences, especially if stitches were necessary. All the parts necessary for an enjoyable sex life will be normal soon enough. So yes, your vagina will shrink back down.

5. Changes to your feet

What do feet have to do with anything? Well, a lot of women claim that their feet grow a size or two after having children. In my experience, I fit into all my shoes after the birth of my first daughter but all of my shoes were much tighter after my second daughter. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it has something to do with swelling during pregnancy. None the less, it is a common thing that mothers mention. Of all the body changes though, I think this one is the easiest to live with.