What happens to your body when you have a baby?

Question

I mean, why do I still look pregnant? when will the bleeding stop? I am a bit fat mess, am I the only one? and don't even start me on hubby wanting to have s*x again. its a joke. I nver want to have s*x again. help!

Answer 1

if you have recently given birth, its normal for you to look pregnant. just exercise and do sit ups u will be fine. as for the s*x... it will be painful at first but give it time....trust me everything will be norml again!!

your body has gone through alot and it needs time to adjust back to normal. good luck

Answer 2

Honey - you are not the only one.  But you have been brave enough to stand up and say the things that many of your girlfriends  either won't admit or are concioulsy ignoring.

While every woman’s experience is her own, there are a number of changes that all women will experience. How she experiences them, the intensity, the duration and the feelings she has towards them are what makes her experiences uniquely her own.

Medical guidelines say that women will bleed between two and six weeks after the birth of their baby. It seems, from speaking to many women, that the amount of REST that they get after the birth of a baby will determine how long they bleed for. Personal experience changes from individual to individual. Some women experience very heavy bleeding for over two weeks while others have no discharge at all after two weeks. I even know one friend who bled over the course of months.

If you are breastfeeding you need to take extra care of yourself. Any new mother needs good nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplements (preferably recommended/prescribed by a naturopath), lots of water and REST (this doesn't necessarily mean sleep - but taking it easy).

The pressure on a new mother is intense. Media, friends, family and community place a big expectations on how you look, act and cope. Being force fed glossy photos of super mothers and yummy mummies ( who usually have a entourage of nannies, chefs and personal trainers on hand) doesn’t help either.

All women find that their libidio/desire for s*x returns in differing amounts of time and intensity. This has a lot to do with the massive changes in a womans hormones after birthing. Again, rest, proper nutrition and emotional support will assist with this coming back to normal – but in some cases hormonal support may be required – and this can be gained from a naturopath – or from a medical practitioner.

As far as s*x goes – the accepted time frame is six weeks and the idea behind this comes about because of two things:

1) this is when the once only postnatal visit to a medical practioner occurs. And this occurs at six weeks because

2) this is the time that it generally takes the uterus to return to it's original size and when lochia (the discharge after birth) stops - but again every one is different.

Be aware though - that not everyone receives postnatal care (and most practioners are often more interested in the baby than in you - many women report that the doctor or midwife didn't even look them in the eyes when they spoke to them!) Women who have organised to birth at home with a private midwife will have extensive postnatal care that happens in her home! Women who attend a postnatal visit will certainly be asked if she has resumed sexual activity ... so if there is no bleeding, or lochia, no on going healing from the birth - there seems to be no reason, if the woman is ready to reconnect sexually. Ignored and unaddressed are the emotional and psychological changes that have occurred.

As far as your body coming back to ‘normal’ – well – what exactly is normal? Your body took 9 months to prepare for birth – give it some rest, good nutrition and love and allow it to come back into shape. Gentle walking is a great outing for any new mother and baby.  Anything that includes your baby and keeps them safe and secure will not only help you bond with them, but assist you in gaining some freedom (out of the house) You are beautiful - look what a magical creation you have in your arms right now!

And getting back to s*x? It all depends I guess, on your birth experience and the damage ( physically and mentally) that you have endured and the meanings you place upon those experiences in relation to  s*x. My advice is to keep an open and honest communication link with your partner and take things slowly – with little pressure – and connect again with yourself as a sensual being, before attempting to touch another.

Answer 3

webmd.com

it's a great source to everything that concerns medical attention. it's like my medical resource bible!

Answer 4

My daughter is 10mnths and by h**l my body is still in a big mess lol ur not alone...My bleeding stopped after around 2weeks, my stiches went after about 3-4wks, my belly is still flabby and disgusting and no matter how hard i try it just wont go...I hate how i look and thers no s*x life anymore as i feel horrible. I think ive had s*x about 3times in the 10mnths and i cringed eachtime and its not cos i dont like my hubby its just a feeling i have... I wasnt the perfect size to start off with before i fell preg and i gained loadsa weight whilst preg but after so hard trying i just gotta keep trying...somedays i feel great and the clothes i wear make me look good but other days my hair makes me look bad and my ace and i just feel and look like a frump...Also stretch marks are still there and as much as i dream about the perfect bod or see all them slim girls flaunting it i know deep down my hubby loves me for what i am and the result of this horrid body is the most perfect, beautiful, precious princess in the whole wide world and one day in many years to come il be happy about my body but until then im just one of many mummys who have bad days...all i can say is be proud of what u have as for the s*x i cant help there as i dont even have a solution for my own lol

Answer 5

If your nursing it really helps everything go back together. Try doing a few easy exercises they will help you both physically and mentally. It sounds like your having post par tum depression..you might talk to your doctor about how you feel. As soon as the baby starts sleeping all night really helps....Just love that wonderful baby and don't worry about your weight ...it takes awhile and you will be just as beautiful as ever