Surviving Postpartum 101: Your Postpartum Body
Your Postpartum Body was written in collaboration with Physician’s Choice. Thank you for supporting the advertisers that help keep Momma Society going!
Your body goes through so many changes following pregnancy and delivery, it’s no wonder so many women feel out of sorts in their postpartum body. For instance, isn’t it insane (and amazing) that your uterus will grow to the size of a WATERMELON by the end of your first trimester? A woman’s body is amazing.
But not to worry, as long as you’re getting plenty of rest, eating right, and taking care of yourself, your body will bounce back in no time. L-O-L.
The first weeks (okay, maybe the first few months) of parenting can be rough on you + your body. From the lack of sleep to eating dinner in five minutes to focusing all of your energy and attention on your tiny human, it’s really easy to put yourself on the backburner. So how do you take care of your postpartum body? Will you ever feel like your old self? Will you ever sleep more than two straight hours?! Relax, momma, this too will pass.
Postpartum Health
I’m not going to sugar coat it, after birth your body will look and feel different. Weight gain and stretch marks are a fact of pregnancy but there’s nothing shameful about them! I’m certainly not here to tell you that you need to lose baby weight or that you need a cream to restore your skin – you are perfect the way you are! – but I am here to help you feel happy + healthy in your postpartum body.
Wat-r you waiting for – drink up! Hydration is key in the healing process and that includes your postpartum recovery. If you’re breastfeeding staying hydrated can have a positive effect on your milk supply, too. So make sure you’re drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water per day. If you struggle to drink enough, try using one of these cute personalized reusable bottles to keep you on track!
Eat good foods every day. Your body needs vitamins + nutrients to function each day to keep you going, so make sure you get your full intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains to stay on track. If you’re not a fan of steamed veggies or cooking at home, try a meal kit delivery service! The options are healthy and convenient and make it easier to prepare nutritious foods. I also like to grab bottled green juice from Trader Joe’s or a local juice bar. It’s an easy way to get a ton of good stuff in without planning a meal centered on kale.
Get moving, even if it’s just for five minutes. Exercise is key for keeping your body + mind healthy. I’ve shared my experiences with postpartum anxiety on Instagram and I can attest to the fact that taking a 30-minute walk each day does wonders for my mental health. Taking a walk in the park is a great way to improve your mood, bond with your baby, and get a little fresh air, too.
My Secret for Postpartum Health
Sometimes it’s impossible to eat as healthy as you want or get out and jog, but that doesn’t mean you have to completely skimp out on your daily dose of health! In addition to their awesome collagen peptides, Physician’s Choice also has an organic probiotic that’s dairy free and contains both prebiotic and probiotic. If you aren’t familiar with probiotics, they are a microorganism that improve our health. The Physician’s Choice probiotic contains prebiotics, which are non-digestible fibers that feed the probiotic and together they improve a woman’s overall vaginal, urinary, and digestive health. Even better, each capsule is vegan approved, Kosher-certified, non-GMO, and contains only natural ingredients. It’s even safe to take while breastfeeding, but you should always check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
Why Take Probiotics?
If you’re still on the fence about taking a probiotic, I get it! There are so many vitamins and supplements out there it’s hard to decide if any of them are worth taking. I’m a fan of probiotics and what they can do for your body. You actually may already be consuming probiotics in foods like yogurt, kombucha, or dark chocolate! When you take a daily probiotic, you can expect:
Enhanced defenses against bacteria and fungi
Lessened gut inflammation
A stronger immune system
Lesser chance of contracting a UTI or yeast infection
A decrease in bloating or discomfort after eating
The team of doctors and researchers at Physician’s Choice actually added in cranberry to their formula to help promote urinary tract healthy and keep your vagina at the optimal pH. As someone who had a pretty wicked UTI earlier this year, I’m pretty pumped about this addition.
Parenting is sometimes overwhelming, but that doesn’t mean we have to forget about ourselves! Grab an iced coffee, get some fresh air, and a take a vitamin or two (if you can remember, that is #mombrain). We want to be around forever for our kids so we might as well be happy + healthy while we’re at it!
Have you used probiotics before? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments or tag @MommaSociety on social so I can see what products you’re using!
