The moment you found that you were pregnant, you definitely would have felt a roller coaster of emotions in you. You might have felt happy and anxious knowing that your life is going to change forever.
After the birth, your child would be the center of your universe. You will spend all your time, energy, and resources ensuring the well-being of your little one.
But did you know that your body will undergo inevitable transformations during and after the pregnancy? Yes, that’s right.
Giving birth to a whole new human being can change your body from the inside out. From increased shoe size to rising dental issues, there are several noticeable changes you might encounter post-pregnancy.
Keep reading to learn more about postpartum body changes and what you can do about it.
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Abnormal weight gain
According to healthcare professionals, gaining weight during pregnancy is essential to support your baby. And once you’ve delivered your baby, it takes around 6 to 8 weeks before your uterus bounces backs to its pre-pregnancy phase.
But even with the right diet and exercise, losing weight is not that easy for many mothers. In fact, many women complain about regaining abnormal amounts of weight months after their delivery.
One of the prominent reasons for this abnormal weight gain is changes in the immune system. Ignoring that can elevate chances for obesity, infertility, and heart diseases.
That’s why if you are dealing with unexplained weight gain, your first step should be to learn about the potential reasons. Here’s a list of medical conditions that could be sabotaging your ability to get into shape.
PCOS
One of the major reasons that could be making you gain weight abnormally could be PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Other symptoms of the condition include excessive hair growth all over the body, irregular menstrual cycle, acne, and ovarian cysts. Fortunately, several ways can help you deal with symptoms.
These include tailored exercise and diet plans and prescribed medication. Such treatments improve insulin sensitivity, further promoting weight loss and fertility.
Depression
Needless to say that your mental health is closely connected with your physical health. Studies show that sadness, fatigue, and disrupted sleep cycles can lead to depression. This, in turn, forces you to make some bad food choices, making you gain weight.
Thus, if you also notice the telltale signs of depression, make sure you do something as soon as possible to cope with the triggers. This involves seeking combination therapy that includes medication, diet, and physical activities. You can also consider reaching out to a trained specialist and talking things through. Keeping your mood in check can help you lift your spirits and see positive changes in your weight.
Other medical conditions such as the growth of fibroids and food intolerance can also lead to abnormal weight gain. So, consult your doctor and learn about the potential reasons so that you can take the necessary steps. After all, it is always a good idea to deal with the symptoms before they get problematic.
Disrupted dental health
A recent survey reveals that many expecting mothers find tremendous changes in their oral health. These changes include wear and tear, discoloration, enamel erosion, and spacing in their teeth.
You need to know that dental care is essential before and after childbirth. This is primarily because hormonal changes can lead to elevated chances of periodontal diseases. In fact, many women also experience movement in their teeth as their ligaments and bones start loosening. Ignoring these dental changes can lead to missing or spaced teeth. And that can further wreak havoc on your facial symmetry.
That’s why here’s a list of things you can do to ensure good dental health and preserve your smile post-baby.
Watch what to eat
Amidst taking care of your baby, juggling your career, and keeping up with your chores, you may find yourself grabbing easy snacks. It is essential that you keep in mind that sugary and processed foods worsen your dental health.
To avoid this, consider stocking your kitchen with easy-to-make meal options. You can also satisfy your munching cravings with healthy snacks. Keeping up with your healthy diet and limiting sugar intake is your first step towards ensuring good dental health.
Undergo necessary dental treatments
For many mothers keeping up with their dental appointments might not be on their priority list. And that’s no good. Ignoring your dental health can end up paving the way for many other dental issues.
For instance, if left ignored, the gap in your teeth may widen, leaving you feeling insecure about your smile. Your dentist may recommend certain dental treatments to fix your misaligned teeth in such a case. One is getting clear aligners to straighten teeth and fix your smile. You can consider opting for implants to reap its long-term benefits in case of missing teeth.
Skin discoloration
Believe it or not, more than 70% of moms experience skin discoloration post-pregnancy. The condition is medically termed melasma.
Usually, the dark spots developed during pregnancy fade during the first few months. But due to hormonal fluctuations, the skin pigmentation changes, making it harder for your skin to bounce back to the pre-pregnancy stage.
Thus, if you are also suffering from skin conditions such as melasma, here’s something that can help. One of the best ways to treat those lines and dark spots is to keep out of the sun. It will speed up your chances of getting back your pre-pregnancy complexion.
And even if you can’t avoid stepping out in the sun, make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunblock. It will help you protect your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Also, if you are spending too much time in the sun, make sure you reapply your sunscreen about every two hours.
You can consider opting for prescription bleaching creams, steroids, and tretinoin for better results. Many women see instant and positive results. Make sure you avoid using them if you are nursing or expecting another child.
The last word
Dealing with post-pregnancy body changes may be a bit overwhelming. And the noticeable changes mentioned above can easily steal your confidence. So, once you start experiencing these postpartum body changes, make sure you do something to deal with them as soon as possible.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.