by Dr. Sarah Winward, ND IBCLC
What’s the biggest mistake to make after giving birth?
Rushing to lose weight.
It is my biggest pet peeve, as a women, that so many of us feel such intense pressure to look model ready 24/7.
If you don’t like the way you look after spending 9 months growing your baby, I get it. Your body has been completely taken over by the process. It’s not just yours anymore. And if you believe what you see in the media, you’d think that you should have your old body back immediately after your baby is born. That plus the lack of sleep of new motherhood can leave anyone feeling like they aren’t adequate.
But what you see in the media is not reality.
Let me break it down:
Your weight gain during pregnancy consists of this:
- Baby ~7lbs
- Uterus 2 1/2 lb gain
- Placenta 1 lb
- Mother’s breasts 3 lb gain
- Mother’s blood 4 lb increase
- Mother’s fat 5 + lb increase
So, most of this weight isn’t even fat! It will come away on its own. You just need to give it time.
Remember too that your core has undergone significant changes. Even if you don’t have a vaginal birth, your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles have a lot of stress just from carrying baby for so long. These muscles and ligaments need time to heal.
Basically, your body needs rest and rehab. I truly believe that every pregnant person should see a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
Rushing into exercise can lead to injury, including pelvic floor complications like incontinence. No physique is worth peeing yourself.
Coming from a kinesiology background and a competitive athlete background I always tell people there is no such thing as over-training its actually under-resting.
Cutting back on calories or “dieting” can be a big problem too. Breast milk production may also be affected, but more often we see exhausted women exhausting themselves even more. Your baby needs you as nourished as possible, that means eating nourishing foods. In nourishing amounts.
Growing your baby took you 9 months, assume it will take at least that long for your body to adjust afterwards.
So, give your body the rest and nourishment it truly needs.
Your body, mind and soul will thank you in the long run.
Regardless of the type of birth you have, you will need help. Keeping your supports up to speed with your breastfeeding intentions, will also help them understand where your priorities lie once the baby arrives. They will understand the importance of supporting the parent during the first 2 weeks postpartum as breastfeeding is being initiated. Remind them that you will need extra support with meals, everyday household chores as well as changing, diapering and bathing baby while you rest and work on breastfeeding.
Going into the experience feeling calm and rested may set the tone for your birth experience and certainly help with recovery. If you are having a planned c-section, speak to a birth professional to find out how your recovery can be best supported.
Colostrum harvesting is when you hand express and freeze colostrum before the birth. This may allow you to use the harvested colostrum at the hospital after the birth to feed baby, along with breastfeeding. Colostrum harvesting must only be done after 37 weeks gestation and must be done under the guidance of your birthing team.
If you are feeling drowsy, be sure to have someone with you to help. Otherwise, the baby can be skin-to-skin with the other parent or closest support. Skin-to-skin offers both physical and emotional benefit to both the baby and the birthing parent.
The hospital staff will be monitoring your level of comfort and awareness until you feel confident in holding your baby on your own. You may need some time to sit up comfortably to hold your baby. Take your time. Do not rush your progress. You will be able to hold your baby comfortably, in several breastfeeding positions in a couple of days.
Along with skin-to skin, the suckling, bonding and oxytocin released by having baby latched will help to initiate your breastfeeding journey and feel calmer.
