Unfortunately, the fat stored during pregnancy will not automatically disappear postpartum. Your body will likely cling to the extra stores of fat and ready itself for breastfeeding – something that can actually help you lose pregnancy-gained body fat – but more on that in a minute.
Back Pain
Most new moms experience back pain in the first couple of months after giving birth due to stretched, weakened ab muscles and compromised posture during pregnancy. The pain will typically resolve within six weeks. If it doesn't, make an appointment with your physician to learn out how you can find relief.
Getting some exercise and eating healthfully will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight within a few months. But if you want to see that tummy flat, you'll have to do some exercises that target your abdominal muscles.
You should plan to return to your pre-pregnancy weight by 6 to 12 months after delivery. Most women lose half of their baby weight by 6 weeks after childbirth (postpartum). The rest most often comes off over the next several months. A healthy diet with daily exercise will help you shed the pounds.
Some pregnant people notice acne, hyperpigmentation, or a "pregnancy mask" (the darkening of pigmentation around the mouth, cheeks, and forehead also known as melasma). Exhaustion and water retention may lead to under-eye pouches, while increased blood flow can cause spider veins across the face.
Body shape
During pregnancy, our body changes. Our hips widen, our breasts grow, and we find a little extra weight in places it wasn't before. Over time, our bodies will go back to normal, but it takes just that time.
Your postpartum belly won't instantly go back to how it was before you were pregnant – it's a process that can take months or even years, while some bellies may take on a different shape permanently. Some moms may experience a bulge caused by diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.
Your body may have become wider during pregnancy. This is because it was making room for your growing baby. Your ribs may have expanded, and your hips will often widen to make it easier for the baby to exit the birth canal. For some women wider ribs and hips will be permanent.
Fully recovering from pregnancy and childbirth can take months. While many women feel mostly recovered by 6-8 weeks, it may take longer than this to feel like yourself again. During this time, you may feel as though your body has turned against you. Try not to get frustrated.
"While most changes that happen during pregnancy are temporary, some women do experience lasting effects," Los Angeles–based ob-gyn Pari Ghodsi, MD, FACOG, said. Some of these shifts—like stretch marks and loose skin—are common, and you may know to expect them.
Widening hips allow for the baby to pass through the pelvic bone during birth. You can rest assured that your widening hips, in most cases, will return back to their pre-pregnancy state, usually by 12 weeks postpartum.
What causes back fat? A lack of cardio exercise or a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to back fat. A diet that's high in sodium or sugar can also contribute to inflammation in your body, making back fat and “bloat” appear to be more significant.
Between the sleepless nights, endless worries, and persistent temper tantrums, parenting can feel like a fast track to gray hairs and wrinkles. Now, researchers at Northwestern University have proven what we've suspected all along: having children does, in fact, speed up the aging process.
Over time, your postpartum belly will lessen on its own. However, there are ways you can improve your postpartum belly at home. Once your doctor says it's OK, try to add exercise to your daily routine. Start with walking and light body weight exercises.
Pregnancy can bring lots of changes to your skin. Most of them disappear after delivery, but sometimes there's loose skin left behind. Skin is made of collagen and elastin, so it expands with weight gain. Once stretched, skin may have trouble returning to its original shape.
Thicker Thighs and Legs
The extra fat then gets distributed to places where women most often put on weight: the backside, hips, and thighs." It can take up to a year to lose the weight gained during pregnancy, says Dr. Dawson.
Loose skin may never regain its prepregnancy appearance without medical treatment. However, diet and exercise can help reduce the appearance of loose skin after pregnancy over time. Improvement will depend on: a woman's weight and age before pregnancy.
"Hormones of pregnancy — specifically estrogen — increase blood flow everywhere, but especially to mucus membranes of the body," she explained. "So that increase in blood flow can cause swelling in those areas, or puffiness, which can make the nose appear larger on the outside."
Although 'pregnancy nose' is not a medical term, many women's noses do appear to be bigger toward the end of pregnancy, and they may also experience more frequent nasal drainage than prior to pregnancy."
However, you may be more likely to experience this glow during the height of changes in your body, especially during the second trimester. The glow of pregnancy — as well as its underlying causes — go away soon after you give birth. This isn't a permanent change to your skin.
How long will this take? Don't expect to see results from just one trip to the gym, or even two weeks. Losing fat through exercise alone can take about 6 months of consistent effort before you notice a big difference.
Can Walking Reduce Back Fat? Walking is one of the best ways to stay active and burn calories consistently. It won't specifically target back fat, but regular walking can help you lose overall body fat.
Some pregnant women develop dark irregular patches on their face most commonly on the upper cheek, nose, lips, and forehead. This is called 'chloasma'. It is also sometimes known as 'melasma' or the 'mask of pregnancy'.