All the Ways Your Body Changes After Having Kids

changes after having kids

The transformation your body goes through during pregnancy is a fantastic process; some even consider it a miracle. Some of the significant changes are usually visible like weight gain and expanding belly. While others are well known to everyone like enlarged uterus, morning sickness, and backaches. Those are generally just the tip of the iceberg; the production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can influence you in a very different way. The increase in hormones can affect your emotions and your ability to control them. It would be best if you understood the changes in your body do not end after delivery. You might also experience the following changes after having kids:

The breasts

It would be best if you were prepared to start changing your bra size because after giving birth, the size of your breast changes. This is because your body reduces the production of estrogen and progesterone. It then starts to produce a hormone called prolactin, which aids in the production of breast milk. This can double the size of your breasts and make them even larger than when you were pregnant. Your breasts also become hard and sore. The soreness will alleviate with time as you nurse your baby.

Doctors recommend using a warm pack before nursing and a cold pack after and taking an

anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. Although doctors are unable to tell the eventual size of your breast after breastfeeding. Depending on the person your breast could remain larger, revert to normal, or become smaller. The sagging they say is generally because of the weight gain. 

Many moms who have had several children might even consider getting a breast lift to help get rid of sagging or droopiness. You can search for this procedure in your area, for instance, if you live in Toronto you might search for a surgeon who does breast lifts in Toronto.  This procedure is not for everyone but is worth looking into if you are done having children.

Belly, bladder, bowels and pelvic floor

The body changes after having kids always happen in a way that you don’t usually expect. The things you take for granted, like going to the bathroom, won’t go as you anticipated. The signal that your bladder sends to your brain may be disrupted due to pressure applied during labor. They may be swollen due to the act of the baby’s head coming through. Doctors recommend the use of cold compresses or warm sitz baths. You may also experience a lot of sweating during the first week as your body gets used to the changing hormones. While you pee, you may also experience a stinging sensation.

The effects of pain medication, together with dehydration, can cause postpartum constipation, common in the first weeks. The pain of a c-section might make you fear to push anything out during a bowel movement. Doctors recommend drinking lots of water, prune juice or fruits, and walking around whenever possible. Midwives also prescribe a stool softener to prevent strain on your abdominal region. Whenever actions such as sneezing, laughing, or exercising make you pee your pants, these are signs that your pelvic floor needs attention. The pelvic floor is made of muscles, ligaments, and nerves that support your uterus, bladder, vagina, and rectum. Continuous stress from labor can be the root cause.

Legs, face, hair, and teeth

The increase in weight during pregnancies to your legs can cause spider veins, varicose veins, and stretch marks. Although some may disappear with time, others are likely to be permanent. The utilization of compression socks can lessen the pain caused by varicose during the first days after delivery. As you know, now there are lots of hormone changes in your body, and they can also affect your facial skin. They cause dry patches, pigmentation, and acne. If they ever become painful, inflamed, or discolored, seek the help of a dermatologist. For the acne, doctors recommend using benzoyl peroxide, which is considered to be the safest choice, but alternatively, you can use salicylic acid.

Doctors also consider hair loss to be common three months after your baby is born. When hormones were high, you experienced a high growth of hair. When they drop, you start losing some to start a new phase of growth. Doctors advise that after birth, the dentist should be your best friend because, at that time, you’re more susceptible to cavities and gum disease because of shifting hormones and blood volume.

Some of the changes after having kids are adjustable to your liking through visiting a particular physician. Others are going to be with you forever. So you should look at them as reminders of the life you brought to this world and wear them with pride.

        

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