Growing a human does NOT just affect your belly. There were so many other postpartum body surprises I had no idea about.
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Expect a total transformation after having your baby. Your shoe size, skin, and so much more (which we will get into in just a minute). I really wish someone had given me a heads-up about these changes. I totally expected not to be able to slide into my skinny jeans postpartum, but the other body surprises? Not so much.
Here are some wild body surprises I experienced after having my babies.
If you are experiencing some or all of these, know that you are not alone.
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Postpartum Body Surprises I Wish I Knew Sooner
1. My Feet Grew and Never Shrank Back to Normal
Everyone told me the swelling would go down. And it did, but my feet grew during pregnancy and never returned to their original size. I had to say goodbye to my favorite go-to shoes, Birkenstocks, and I was devastated. They grew half a size, and I swear they are ALSO wider than they used to be, which is sad because I always had wide feet.
Parting with some of my favorite shoes was so difficult. Shoe shopping is normally a fun activity for me, but I did not particularly enjoy buying all new shoes. Shoe shopping this time around did not feel as glamorous.
2. Hello Stretch Marks!
I KNEW I would be blessed with stretch marks. I know many women don’t like stretch marks, but when I look at mine, I feel grateful that my body was able to bring my two most precious snuggle bugs into this world.
Maybe this is because I experienced many miscarriages, I am not sure. But I do embrace my scars.
I did not expect to have so many stretch marks. I was left with WAY more after having my son. He was a big baby, and he definitely left his mark on my body. I should really say marks.
3. Skin Changes
I have always had sensitive skin, but my skin became EXTRA sensitive during the fourth trimester. Both times!
I had to be extremely careful about which products I used. Otherwise, I would end up with red, super itchy skin. I had to ditch anything with fragrance.
The texture of my skin suddenly felt different, and it was a major adjustment. I had to buy all new shoes AND skin care products.
4. Brand New Body
While I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my babies, I can’t say I was entirely prepared for just how much it would affect my breasts. Let’s just say I didn’t feel so young anymore. It was like I was left with two deflated balloons.
I gained 60 pounds while pregnant (twice), and after having my first baby, the weight just melted off. I was one of the lucky ones and did not have to work hard to lose the baby weight. Which was crazy because it was the one time in my life when I didn’t have to work hard to stay in shape. I wasn’t used to having such a fast metabolism, but I loved it.
So I was looking forward to having the same experience after having my son. But nope. This time around, I had to work EXTREMELY hard to lose the baby weight. Perhaps it is because I am a few years older, because I had a c-section, or maybe it is because every postpartum is different. I have no idea. I just know that it feels and looks like I have a brand new body.
I am not ashamed of my stretch marks, c-section scar, and mom pooch. But I do want to shed the rest of the weight I gained to be the healthiest I can be.
5. Hair Thinning and Shedding
Luckily, my hair was not visibly thinning since I have thick hair and plenty of it. It was shedding more than ever before. It was everywhere. All over the floor, the couch, clothes, everywhere.
Some of my mama friends had visible hair loss patches on their heads, and you could see baby hairs growing back in.
Hormones are so wild!
6. C-Section Scar and Squishy Belly
Once upon a time, I was worried about how my body would change. To my surprise, my C-section scar and new squishy belly don’t bother me as much as I thought they would.
They are reminders of my strength, and I greatly appreciate what my body has done.
My C-section scar is a reminder of delivery day, and I am proud of myself. My belly did a whole lot of stretching, so I now have a soft, squishy belly.
Even though I continue to work on my health and wellness, I am not stressing or putting pressure on myself to “bounce back.” I’m taking my time and giving myself grace.
7. Unwanted Skin Tags
Skin tags were the biggest surprise of all. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I started to notice unwanted skin tags popping up on my neck. Some are more obnoxious than others.
I even noticed a few new ones show up during the postpartum period.
After researching, I found out that these are due to hormones and skin rubbing against skin.
I am 10 months postpartum, and most of them have fallen off. When I noticed this, it felt like Christmas morning.
Postpartum recovery is full of ups and downs. It is messy, beautiful, tough, and a major transformation. Many women (including myself) struggle with their new body after having a baby. But I want to remind you that you are amazing for growing, delivering, and taking care of your new bundle of joy. It takes time to grow a healthy baby and it also takes time to recover. So be easy on yourself. I know I have to remind myself of that sometimes.
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