Changes in your body after birth

In the first few weeks after the birth, you may feel you don’t recognise your own post pregnancy body. You need to give yourself time to recover. Don’t expect to shrink back to your old size straightaway.

Now is not the time to go on a crash diet to try to lose your post baby belly and weight. You need strength and energy to cope with this massive change in your life. If you’ve had a caesarean section, remember this is a major operation and you need extra time to recover.

Common problems after birth

A small but significant number of women find they lose some bladder or bowel control (leaking urine and or faeces) after birth. It may be embarrassing to discuss with your doctor or midwife, but they can help. Further problems after giving birth may include:

• bruising
• backache
• piles (hemorrhoids)
• constipation
• wind
• leaking breasts
• uterus contracting back (‘after pains’)
• sore, engorged breasts
• stiff muscles
• painful stitches
• sore caesarean wound
• post-pregnancy stretch marks.

Caring for stitches  

If you need stitches after birth there are a few tricks that can help you recover afterwards:

• Walking will prevent stiffness and help reduce swelling.
• Once you are home, where there is less risk of infection, bathing in warm water may help soothe any pain.

A Valley Cushion is a specially designed inflatable cushion for women with a painful pelvic floor, piles, stitches or a sore coccyx, and makes sitting down much more comfortable. Local vendors can be found through NCT Shop by calling 0845 8100 100.

What you can do

There are a number of things you can do to help with any problems:

• Write a list and discuss any problems with your doctor at your six-week check – but if you are at all worried or in pain, make an appointment before then.
• Keep up any relaxation exercises learned at antenatal classes, and restart your pelvic floor exercises.
• Remember to eat well and rest as often as possible.
• After the first couple of weeks, a good brisk walk with the buggy for 10 to 30 minutes a day can really help.

Contact your local authority leisure and recreation department or the YMCA for information about sports facilities with a crèche.

Further information

NCT's helpline offers practical and emotional support in all areas of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood: 0300 330 0700. 

You might find attending one of NCT's Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.

Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.

NHS Birth to Five guide offers information on Health and Fitness for new parents.

The Continence Foundation website gives information on treatment, prevention, causes, types and living with continence issues.