Pregnancy is a transformative time for a woman. Along with the joys of a new baby come the struggles of a changing body: a body that’s affected by weight gain, breastfeeding and skin issues. Regardless of how different your post-pregnancy body looks, you don’t have to stay stressed over its appearance. Check out these six tips on loving your body again after pregnancy.
Create a New Exercise Routine
Your standard workout regimen will need to be toned down after you’ve had your little one. Fitness Magazine recommends waiting six weeks before beginning your new exercise routine, at which point you can slowly start getting back into your workout rhythm. Kegels are great for tightening up pelvic muscles which may have loosened during labor and delivery, while squats and lunges will help tone a butt that may be sagging a little more than you’d like. Best of all, you can do these workouts at home, so they’re easy to fit in during baby’s naptime.
Use Creams to Reduce Stretch Marks
Stretch marks are extremely common for a woman who undergoes pregnancy, and treating them can be confusing. According to WebMD, about 90 percent of pregnant women get stretch marks by their third trimester. While there are plenty of specialized creams that claim to erase these frustrating marks, your doctor knows best when it comes to picking out a lotion for you. Gels made with a mix of onion extract and hyaluronic acid are known to help, and your doctor can prescribe retinoid, which stimulates new cell growth.
Join a Forum
Positive self-talk works best when you have a community of women who feel the same way as you do, and sometimes the people around you just don’t understand. Online forums like the ones at The Bump are perfect for chatting with fellow new moms who can offer you a boost when you’re feeling down.
Find Fun Ways to Be Active
With your new bundle of joy wanting attention every few minutes, you won’t always have time to hit the gym or engage in a long workout. Try involving your baby in your exercise routine; jogging strollers are great for getting out and about while your little one stays safe in the stroller.
Consider Having a Cosmetic Procedure
Often, all the exercising in the world won’t get your body back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Even if you lose weight, your stomach is likely to retain a stretched-out look from carrying your little one for so long. Cosmetic procedures, such as a Mommy Makeover, can reshape and contour your body to your liking. Getting rid of excess skin on the stomach and increasing breast volume are two of the most popular cosmetic procedures for new moms.
Buy the Right Bra
Of all the body parts that change during and after pregnancy, breasts are definitely in the number one spot. Especially if you’re breastfeeding, expect to see dramatic changes in size, shape and firmness throughout your journey into early motherhood. To keep yourself comfortable and looking good, take the time to find the right bra. Supportive and stretchy bras will accommodate changes in size, while going underwire-free ensures that you won’t get clogged ducts. If you experience shrinkage after pregnancy, don’t feel ashamed to pick out a bra with some extra padding to boost your confidence.
Of all the challenges that come with motherhood, loving your body may be the biggest. Though your new addition is sure to bring joy, you won’t always feel so content with your post-pregnancy body. Just remember to love yourself the way your baby loves you!
[…] Pregnancy is a transformative time for a woman. Along with the joys of a new baby come the struggles of a changing body: a body that’s affected by weight gain, breastfeeding and skin issues. Regardless of how different your post-pregnancy body looks, you don’t have to stay stressed over its appearance. Check out […]The post 6 Keys to Loving Your Body Again After Pregnancy appeared first on . […]