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Weight loss: Postpartum weight loss includes the weight of the baby, a pound
or two of placenta, at least a pound of amniotic fluid and blood, and two pounds
from the shrinking uterus. After this weight loss, most women will still weigh more
that they did before being pregnant. This extra weight can be lost through proper
diet and exercise.
Other physical changes
Your internal organs were pushed out of the way during your pregnancy to accommodate
your growing baby, including your stomach, intestines, bladder and heart. Once you
deliver the baby, your organs will quickly return to their original places. As a result
of the displacement, bowel and bladder incontinence can occur. This is typically a
temporary condition, lasting a few weeks. Another cause of bowel and bladder incontinence
after pregnancy is the stretching of muscles during delivery. The involuntary loss of
urine or fecal matter may occur when you cough, laugh or strain. This usually resolves
as your body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
There will be hormonal changes in your body, as well. As your body adjusts to the changes
in your hormone level, you may experience hot and cold flashes. It is not unusual to lose
handfuls of hair around three months after delivery, due to the decline in progesterone
levels. These hormonal changes can also wreak havoc on your emotions. Many women experience
some form of the baby blues. Some women suffer from postpartum depression, a more serious
condition.
Resuming sexual relations
The standard advice is to wait six weeks before resuming sexual activity, to allow a
woman’s body to heal. This depends, however, on the actual trauma from delivery. Some
women can resume sexual relations after only two to four weeks. A difficult birth or cesarean
section may necessitate a longer wait — around eight weeks. Women may take longer before
they feel ready to resume relations because they are sore or exhausted. They may also have
issues with their post-pregnancy bodies.
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