Post-Pregnancy Body Changes You May Experience
When you become pregnant, you may initially focus on all of the changes your body is undergoing during the pregnancy. While paying close attention to pregnancy health is certainly important, you might also consider the changes your body may sustain post pregnancy.
In the weeks and months after you have given birth, you may experience issues such as discolored skin, hair loss, and swollen feet. While none of these conditions will likely be permanent, you could easily be dismayed by them if you aren't aware that they might manifest. By being prepared for such changes, you can make the post-pregnancy process easier and less stressful than it may otherwise be.
The following are a few of the changes you might expect after you have given birth.
Changes to the Skin
In your postpartum days, you may notice a variety of changes to your skin. You could, for instance, become displeased to discover that the glowing complexion you experienced during your pregnancy has been transformed into skin that is suddenly prone to acne. You may also have developed discolored skin patches when you were pregnant, and that discoloration might seem as if it is never going to disappear.
Fortunately, you can take a few steps to manage such skin conditions. If you have acne after pregnancy, you might consult a doctor to see if there is a medicated skin cream that can help. Additionally, you should try to keep your skin as clean as possible and wash it with a mild cleanser. If you developed skin discoloration during pregnancy that doesn't go away after you give birth, you may need to use an alternative form of contraception.
Swollen Legs, Feet, and Hands
You may have been prepared for areas of your body to become swollen during pregnancy, but you might not have realized that certain body parts can also become swollen post pregnancy. Your feet and ankles may become swollen (some women even experience flat feet after pregnancy, which can cause their feet to require a larger shoe size). You may also experience swollen hands and legs in your postpartum stages, even if those body parts didn't increase in size when you were pregnant.
Hair Loss
Losing some hair may be another side effect associated with the post-pregnancy period. Your estrogen level generally becomes normal again after you have given birth. Your hair may be affected by this hormonal change, and it may fall out after pregnancy. You may notice that you are shedding a significant amount of hair sometime in the first five months after giving birth. This hair loss is not unusual, and it should cease within approximately six months to a year after you give birth.
Painful Bowel Movements or Urination
After your pregnancy, you may have problems associated with painful bowel movements or urination. You could develop hemorrhoids after the birth, and these can make bowel movements painful. Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber can help to combat this issue. Urination after birth may also be painful if you develop a urinary tract infection. Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Most women experience some changes after giving birth. No matter what kinds of changes your body undergoes after pregnancy, such conditions are usually temporary. By discussing these and other possible issues with your obstetrician, you might avoid feeling alarmed when various postpartum changes manifest.
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