Your body after baby

• Lots of things happen to your body right after giving birth.
• Some body changes are painless, others are uncomfortable.
• Stress and fatigue can leave you feeling lots of emotions.

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Your baby is here and everyone is in awe of him! But what about you? Lots of things are happening to your body right after you give birth. Your body is changing again. Some of these changes are painless, others might be uncomfortable.

During pregnancy, your uterus grew to hold your growing baby. After your baby is born, your uterus shrinks back to its regular size. It does take some time for your belly to get back to its regular shape after pregnancy. But don’t get discouraged! Be active and eat a healthy diet. This will also help you lose the baby weight.

If you had swelling while pregnant, it may take a while for the swelling to go away after giving birth. Lie on your left side or put your feet up. Stay cool and wear loose clothes.

Your breasts swell, too, as they fill with milk. This is called engorgement, and it can be painful. Once you start breastfeeding, this feeling should go away. If you’re not breastfeeding, it may last until your breasts stop making milk.

All the physical changes and demands of your new baby can wreak havoc on your emotions. Stress and fatigue are common among new moms. Some women have the baby blues for a few days. If these sad feelings last longer than 10 days, you could be experiencing postpartum depression. Talk to your provider if you think you have postpartum depression.

See also: Warning signs after birth