No two ways about it: pregnancy and labour wreak havoc on a woman’s body. No matter how earthy midwives urge women to be zen about “having the body of a mother,” it’s hard not to be neurotic about such a huge physical change. Even if you’re not inclined to embark on a Madonna-type regimen of yoga and dance, you might be wondering about weight loss. The good news is that doctors say much of the weight gained during pregnancy consists of blood and fluids that will vanish in the first week or two after labour. But there will likely be at least seven pounds of fat left. While some physical changes might be there to stay, many mothers report their weight declines rapidly as they breastfeed. As for exercise, doctors caution that excessive workouts can be harmful in the early weeks after giving birth, but once you’re healed, exercise is healthy for new mums, and, unlike crash dieting, it won’t interfere with the quality and quantity of breast milk.
La Leche League
“Postpartum Body Image and Weight Loss”
“Once the challenges of childbirth are past and a mother has held her new baby and counted fingers and toes, she turns her attention to the dramatic changes pregnancy and childbirth have worked on her body. The first sight of a sagging postpartum tummy can shock even the slimmest, most self-assured woman. [. . .] Remember you’ve earned the body of a mother. Celebrate that body and appreciate the emotional and physical strengths you’ve gained.” …read the full article
iVillage
“Post Pregnancy Weight Loss”
"Once you feel up to it, go for walks. I have been taking my nine-month-old son for power walks in the stroller since he was an infant. Go first thing in the morning if you can. If you delay, you will find excuses not to go, and the walk is a great way to start your day. You can also invest in a baby backpack. I pop him in and off we go for a walk." …read the full article
BabyCenter Australia ®
“Diet for Healthy Weight Loss”
"If you’re not breastfeeding, you can start to eat a little less than you’d need to maintain your normal weight. But don’t go on a strict diet — women need a minimum of around 1,200 calories a day to stay healthy." …read the full article
Pregnancy-Info.net
“Weight Loss After Pregnancy”
"Weight gain in pregnancy is healthy and natural, but many women crave to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies. But you need to exercise caution when losing your baby weight. Just as it’s best to put on weight slowly and steadily during your pregnancy, you need to be slow and steady in losing weight after your pregnancy." …read the full article
Sydney Morning Herald
“Body After Baby”
"And in a world obsessed with the size and shape of women’s bodies, the radical changes pregnancy brings are particularly challenging. A glance at any gossip magazine confirms that (a) babies are a hot accessory and (b) they’re only acceptable if they have no impact on the woman’s lifestyle, or her waistline, afterwards." …read the full article
