The process of pregnancy and childbirth is joyful, but at the same time, a difficult period in a woman’s life. Carrying a baby and having a baby has a substantial impact on a young mother’s physical and emotional health. Almost every woman who has given birth to a child has a sagging belly, extra pounds, and the appearance of unaesthetic stretch marks on the skin. Therefore, they think about quickly removing the extended belly after childbirth and putting an appearance in order.
Why Do Fat And Stretch Marks Appear?
Chang in your figure during pregnancy is a natural process. It happens for the following reasons:
1. Changes In Hormonal Levels
The body of the expectant mother gets rebuilt during pregnancy. All of its resources are directed to protecting the fetus inside. One of the tools for this is hormonal changes. As a result, there is an intense growth of fatty tissue, especially in the abdomen.
This is necessary to protect the unborn child from possible negative influences. Also, to provide the baby with a supply of nutrients, a woman cannot eat well for some reason.
2. Increase In The Size Of The Uterus
The fetus inside the mother’s womb continuously grows, develops, and gain weight. As a result, not only the uterus gets stretched, but also the skin on the abdomen. This leads to the appearance of stretch marks, and after childbirth – to the sagging of the abdomen.
3. Change In Diet
To provide the unborn baby with the necessary nutrients, the woman begins to consume more foods. This negatively affects the condition of her figure, leads to the appearance of extra pounds.
When To Start Postpartum Recovery?
Childbirth is a real stress for the female body. It takes a certain amount of time for the body to survive and come to a normal state. So, it is not recommended to start physical activities immediately after the birth of a child. At first, a woman is fragile, and excessive physical activity can harm health.
But this does not mean that one should forever forget about a beautiful figure; it must be put in order. For this, you should:
- Do a light massage of the abdomen no earlier than a week after childbirth, and only if it was not cesarean. If the birth took place artificially, do not massage during the first three months.
- You can also use cosmetics to remove stretch marks and give the skin elasticity (various oils, creams) 7 days after giving birth. If a woman underwent a cesarean section, postpone these measures.
- Physical exercise is not good earlier than 1–1.5 months after the birth of the child.
- Follow a diet. You need to be careful here because any changes in the diet can negatively affect lactation. Also, if you are an alcoholic, you have to give up addiction to fast recovery and baby’s health.
How To Remove Baby Weight?
There are several ways to bring your figure back to normal. The result will be more effective if you use them not separately but in combination.
1. Proper Nutrition
A woman should approach the composition of her diet rationally. Many young mothers believe that during lactation, they can over-eat and consume high-calorie foods. But this is not the case. Sweets and fatty foods do not improve milk quality but provoke an allergic reaction in a newborn. And they affect the state of the woman’s figure in the most negative way.
You do not need to go to extremes and exhaust yourself with diets and hunger strikes. It is essential to plan your diet correctly:
- Exclude citrus fruits so as not to provoke allergies.
- Limit the consumption of sweets.
- Remove spicy, fatty, and salty dishes from the menu.
- Give preference to fruits and vegetables, steamed dishes.
- Eat a sufficient amount of lean meat and fish.
- Consume dairy and fermented milk products
- Avoid drinking alcohol and carbonated drinks.
2. Postpartum Bandage
Special bandages for young mothers have a supportive effect that contributes to faster recovery of muscle tissue and internal organs. It is necessary to monitor the size of the structure. The bandage should not tighten the abdomen, cause discomfort or pain during wearing. Instead, you can use a thick cloth to tie the belly. It is necessary to start using such funds 2-3 days after childbirth 3-4 weeks.
3. Wraps
It is not acceptable to start the procedure until the body recovers from childbirth. This usually takes about one month, provided that the birth process was not complicated. Various things are used for wrapping: clay, special chocolate, coffee, honey, essential oils.
The procedure is straightforward. To do this, apply the selected product to the problem areas, including the abdomen. After it, wrap this area with cling film. Leave it for 30 minutes, and then wash it off with an abundant stream of water.
The procedure’s effect consists of more intensive burning of fatty tissue, normalization of fluid metabolism, and metabolic processes in tissues. As a consequence, there is a decrease in volume and an increase in skin elasticity. Repeat this procedure 1-2 times a week.
4. Massage
It is usually beneficial as early as a week after giving birth. At first, these are just stroking movements, but over time, their intensity increases. Massage promotes the outflow of excess fluid, breakdown of fatty tissue, and tightening the skin.
Special essential oils will help to enhance this effect. It is important to remember that after a cesarean section, you cannot start this procedure. You can do it after 2-3 months.
5. Physical Exercises
To get rid of the postpartum belly, exercise is essential. But limit the intensity of training. Otherwise, health problems may arise. So, a woman cannot do exercises immediately after a child’s birth and during the first 1-2 months. After this period, you can start training:
- Exercises with a skipping rope
- Rotation of the hoop
- Lifting the pelvis
- Plank
Conclusion
If you want to get rid of a sagging belly after childbirth and stretch marks on it, you do not need to go to extremes. Of course, a beautiful figure is the dream of any person, but in pursuit of it, you do not need to sacrifice your own health and well-being.