Congratulations! You have successfully passed the pregnancy period, and now that you have given birth to a newborn baby, you must be feeling accomplished and happy. But post-pregnancy side effects must be interfering with you, and you need to deal with them before it gets too late. Post-pregnancy conditions like the postpartum belly happen due to the slow shrinking stomach after delivery.
According to experts, the recovery period from postpartum belly lasts between six weeks to a maximum of six months. Various factors such as weight gain during pregnancy, breastfeeding, exercise, and a post-delivery lifestyle will influence your postpartum belly. Let us take you on a journey through various aspects of the postpartum belly and the factors that affect your recovery process.
In This Article
- Causes of Postpartum Belly
- How Long Does Postpartum Belly Take to Go in?
- Postpartum Belly Timeline
- Ways to Make Your Postpartum Belly Look Better
- FAQ’s
Causes of Postpartum Belly.
The leading cause of postpartum belly is delivering the baby and the slow shrinking of the stomach that happens right after. This shrinking takes time and does not happen overnight. For this reason, though you are no longer pregnant, you still find that your belly has not shrunk back to normal. Let’s have a look at other causes.
1. Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is something that happens due to an enlarged midsection of your body after you deliver the baby. This can happen due to excess abdominal fat accumulation during the tenure of your pregnancy. Regular physical exercise is one of the key ways of getting rid of this fat. Exercising will ensure the shredding of excess fats in your body and make your belly lean and toned.
2. Bloating
Another probable reason for a post-delivery belly might be bloating. Bloating happens due to water retention in your body, and this will resolve with time.
3. Constipation
Constipation often results in bloating and can be due to changing hormones, lack of movement post-surgery (due to bed rest), lack of sleep, lack of rest, and stress that can happen due to the arrival of a newborn into your life. Drinking lots of water, eating multiple small meals, having lots of fibre-rich foods, and starting slow exercises under the guidance of your doctor can help you resolve bloating and reduce your postpartum belly.
4. Postpartum Gas
Many women experience gas formation and flatulence as common symptoms post-delivery. While this issue resolves with time as your body gets back into gear, do talk to your doctor if the situation doesn’t settle and you continually experience gas and flatulence.
How Long Does Postpartum Belly Take to Go in?
The postpartum belly takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to disappear completely for most women, but these numbers may vary too. Your uterus has expanded through 9 months to accommodate your growing baby. Even once the delivery is complete, the shrinking back of your uterus takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. In addition, water retention happens in your body during pregnancy. It takes time for the fluids to ooze out of the cells and leave the body through urine, sweat, etc.
Postpartum Belly Timeline
Yes, your postpartum belly follows a timeline, though there may be variations among different pregnant women. For most women, the belly starts reducing immediately after delivery and most women get back to their original belly within a year, though we must warn that stretch marks may still be there.
We explain the postpartum belly timeline.
1. Postpartum Belly After Birth
Did you know that your weight loss starts immediately after giving birth? Believe it or not, you can lose up to 6 kg as your uterus starts shrinking. Your baby has come out of the womb, and you also lose amniotic fluid, blood, and other fluids, which all contribute to this weight loss process. So happy news there!!
2. One Week Postpartum
It’s one week since you gave birth, and you’re still juggling to get rid of that extra layer of fat. When you pee, you shed a lot of fluids. Along with that, mothers who are nursing may experience an additional weight loss. At this time, instead of checking your weight, you should concentrate on checking how your clothes fit you to get a true idea of weight loss. Measure your waist inches, not your weight!!
3. Six Weeks Postpartum
At the sixth week postpartum, your belly will almost return to the normal pre-pregnancy state, but the fat loss process will continue for some more time. Your uterus is on its way to shrinking back to normal and to its pre-pregnancy state.
4. Six to Eight Weeks Postpartum
By this time, your uterus comes back to its original shape and position. Most women, on average, gain 10 to 15 kg during pregnancy and most women will lose this weight by the 6th to 8th week time period. But then again, it is important to remember that these numbers do not apply to all women. Each pregnancy is different, and each woman loses her weight differently.
[Read : 10 Home Remedies To Lose Belly Fat After Delivery]
Ways to Make Your Postpartum Belly Look Better
Taking some proactive actions like regularly exercising, eating good food, and keeping stress at bay might help to make the postpartum belly look better. This is because, until you make your body physically fit, you aren’t going to achieve that flat tummy.
Let’s look at some ways that can make your postpartum belly look better.
1. Have a Good Amount of Fibre
Who would not want a belly which is tucked in? High fibre food helps keep your digestive system active and moving and prevents issues like constipation and diarrhoea. You can add fibre-rich foods to your diet such as legumes, green vegetables, beans, salads, fruits, etc. These are an excellent source of fibre and hence perfect to get rid of your belly. They also keep you fit, healthy, and energetic, as you run around balancing taking care of your little one with household chores.
2. Stay Well-Hydrated
Water plays a significant role in flushing out the excess toxins and maintaining fluid balance in your body. Hydration also ensures that the various systems in your body function well. Keeping yourself hydrated throughout the day helps the release of toxic gases and at the same time keeps you healthy.
3. Exercise
There is nothing better than exercising and an active lifestyle to cut fat and get you back into shape. But remember to talk to your gynaecologist to find safe exercises and workouts that keep you in shape without causing harm to your delicate post-pregnancy body. Your doctor will also advise you on the appropriate time to start exercising post-delivery.
Postpartum belly can be a cause for concern and stress for some women, but there is nothing to worry. With time, care, proper nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle, you can easily get rid of your belly post-delivery. You can always consult your gynaecologist or a nutritionist on the right ways to healthily lose your postpartum fat.
[Read : 10 Fun Exercises To Do With Your Baby]
FAQ’s
1. How do I Get Rid of Postpartum Belly Fat After Pregnancy?
You can get rid of the postpartum belly fat by performing exercises like scissor kicks, reverse crunch, forearm plank regularly. Leading an active lifestyle combined with a healthy diet will help in getting rid of postpartum belly fat.
2. Does the Postpartum Belly Go Away?
Yes, postpartum belly fat goes away after pregnancy.
3. How Long Until the Postpartum Belly Goes Away?
The moment you deliver the baby, the uterus shrinks back to the normal size of the belly and hence it takes around 6-8 weeks for the postpartum belly to go away.
4. What is a Postpartum Belly?
The postpartum belly is a condition when the mom’s tummy tends to look fat even after delivering the baby.
Read Also: Postnatal Diet – Foods You Should Eat and Avoid After Delivery
