This post was written by Cameryn of Multitasking Motherhood. Read more about Cameryn in the bio at the end of this post.
When a woman becomes a mother, there is a whole other world that she never knew existed that she finds through her postpartum body. The very essence of her soul changes. The woman she once was is no longer. There are so many postpartum body changes that can be difficult to cope with.
While it is important to remember and hold onto some aspects of her old identity, she is ultimately a new person. A better person at that.
She changes. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In one way or another, parts of these important life areas change when becoming a mother. Getting used to these changes can often times be a bittersweet experience.
The postpartum period is a time for growth but it can feel entirely too overwhelming at the same time. So, like many women I am sure, there are things that I both love and hate about my postpartum body.
Here are just a few:
The stretch marks
They say the likelihood of getting stretch marks runs in the family. Well, my own mother had zero stretch marks from having two babies. Like none. Zero. Zilch. Absolutely no stretch marks. If it wasn’t clear, she didn’t even get one.
I didn’t have any from pregnancy either. Until my third trimester. I woke up one morning and there they were!
During the time that I was pregnant, I really didn’t mind them. After all, my body was growing in order to care for this little human being. Though, it is the time after pregnancy that is another story.
Looking in the mirror now is a little disheartening because the stretch marks are… well… everywhere.
While I do become self-conscious looking in the mirror from time to time, I correct myself quickly. Though sometimes the changes in your body postpartum can be hard to see, I urge you to correct yourself as well. Remember, these are your mama stripes and you earned them!
They are a privilege to wear proudly and you should never feel ashamed of them!
The little shelf above my bikini area
There was a day that I would confidently run outside in a sports bra. Now, I can’t even wear a running tank top without my belly somehow making an appearance. It somehow wiggles its way out from under my top.
Talk about a confidence buster (as if I am running much lately anyhow…)
Though, you have to remember mama, that that “little shelf” is what has been left from your body carrying and growing the love of your life.
This is one of those postpartum body changes that can be difficult to accept. But for me, no matter the discomfort this area brings to me mentally, it is far outweighed by the love that I have for it because it housed my son.
My no longer perky boobs
I didn’t have much going for me before pregnancy but hey, at least they were perky. Now, it isn’t going so well for the girls in any way.
In fact, the girls that I used to know have bought a one-way ticket out of here and they are never coming back.
These new girls are different. They may look fantastic when full but it also comes with consequences. You can’t wait too long with the girls looking nice and perky before you need to pump or breastfeed because then they just start to hurt! Plus, baby needs to eat!
It is important to know that more issues can arise if you aren’t properly taking care of the girls as well. This can include things like getting mastitis. It is extremely painful so it is very important to be taking care of your breasts at this time!
After taking care of them though, yikes. Those girls are gone. They are sad and don’t have much more life left to them.
But mama, you need to remember that they are giving life to someone else.
The insane amount of sweat
I was already a sweaty person. I’m going to be honest… I was NOT ready for the amount of sweat I would endure breastfeeding.
I was sweating, he was sweating, we were all sweating!
This, to no surprise, is due to hormone changes in your body after delivery. Our girl estrogen has decreased and she is running amuck. When estrogen decreases, it can have an effect on your body temperature which can make you sweat!
Along with sweating, I was not prepared for the stench of motherhood. Why am I a disgusting human being 24/7? Oh… because I birthed a baby. That’s why.
Never did I think I would take a shower and within 30 minutes post-wash I would be back to smelling like a teenage boy. But here we are.
So, if you are like me, here are some very important things I have found to help with the change in body odor postpartum:
Turn down the temperature (especially when breastfeeding!)
Wear loose and more breathable clothing (or… if you are at home… no clothing? Only me? Okay…)
Can anyone say men’s deodorant? Yup. This one helped.
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The never-ending loss of hair
Let me tell you, even before pregnancy I had a crazy amount of hair. Super thick and curly. So, when I heard about the possibility of losing some hair postpartum? I’m not going to lie. The idea excited me.
Yes! Sort of like getting my hair thinned out, right?
Wrong.
It only means that there is more hair available to fall out. And it doesn’t happen all at once.
It is completely normal for hair to fall out after delivery though. It usually happens anywhere from 1-5 months postpartum and is due to hormones in your body returning to normal. During pregnancy, the hormone estrogen is increased so it needs to return to normal levels after delivery (again estrogen? Come on girl…). So, in the end, it is purely biological.
It still isn’t fun though. I can promise my shower drain isn’t a fan either.
Though, it will get better. Plus, remember mama, this hair loss (while extremely annoying) is a direct result of your body taking care of baby. The hormones that went into making baby also gave you great hair while pregnant. Now that your body no longer needs these hormones to care for baby, things need to change.
In the meantime, here are some recommendations by the American Pregnancy Association to help with the “hair loss struggle” postpartum:
- Avoid things like pigtails, braids, and cornrows due to their pulling nature
- A diet high in fruits and vegetables
- Use shampoos and conditioners with biotin and silica
In the end, there are some major changes that come with being a mother. Some, many don’t think about. We are all very concerned with the mental changes that come with becoming a mother. Rightfully so! Though, there are definitely some physical changes that we can be unprepared for and that make us uncomfortable!
Just remember mama, while these changes can be bittersweet, they are totally worth it! Your body worked hard creating your little babe. It is time for you to cut it some slack and work on loving it!
About the Author
Cameryn Vonbargen is a full-time student and stay-at-home mother who runs her blog Multitasking Motherhood. She has her degree in psychology and will soon have a second degree in nursing. She has a passion for writing about mental health, pregnancy, parenting, and marriage to help other moms with experiences similar to her own.
She hopes to add a real take on issues that aren’t talked about openly or deeply enough concerning the roles women assume in the journey to motherhood and marriage.
You can also follow Cameryn on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter!
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