It is important to take care of yourself before, during and after pregnancy. Each stage is one, and living it as it is, will give more serenity and stability to the woman.
It is not frivolous to be afraid of physical changes that occur when you get pregnant or when you think about the future. It is normal to worry about the unknown or to believe in those stereotypes of women that others paint and do not really exist. We are going to talk about that transformation that occurs in a woman's body since she becomes pregnant.
Changes during pregnancy
Being a woman is beautiful, complex and tough at the same time, so becoming a mother is an extreme adventure full of ups and downs to cope with. The changes are normal and natural, even more so when pregnancy is added to age. During the 9 months of pregnancy a set of physical and psychological alterations begin in women, so it is important to take care of yourself before, during and after. It is not convenient to obsess or pretend to be what in the past. Each stage is one, and living it as it is, will give more serenity and stability to the woman.
- Weight gain: At the end of pregnancy the woman may have gained between 12 and 18 kilos. Whenever the mother can, she should not abandon the practice of exercise, of course in a responsible way and without overexertion. Feeding and hydration are also essential to feel good and provide what is necessary for the baby.
- Stretch marks, varicose veins and swelling: Hormonal changes can increase the appearance of stretch marks on the belly and chest, varicose veins on the legs, swelling in the arms and legs or edema in the ankles ... The woman should be active but when resting the best thing for circulation is to have the feet up high, drink 2 liters of water daily, wear comfortable shoes, apply moisturizing creams or specific creams to relieve the discomfort of varicose veins and tired legs. Sport is presented as the faithful ally. Swimming, walking, Pilates, or yoga also help you feel agile.
- Spots on the skin: To protect yourself from ultraviolet rays it is important to use a high solar factor. There are specific facial creams to avoid the appearance of spots. If it is very sunny, it is best to cover yourself with a hat or stay in the shade in hours of intense heat. Hydration and refreshment must become a priority. Papillomas may also appear on the arms or breasts. Increased hormones can make acne worse or appear.
- More waist: To achieve adequate milk production, fat is stored in the upper part of the belly. With this, it is rare that women who have been mothers again wear a minimum waist. However, daily physical work and proper nutrition will help to lose kilos and tone the flaccidity of the skin in the area.
- Cellulitis: With pregnancy cellulite may appear or if it already existed, increase. Work the affected areas in the gym, a lot of hydration, firming creams, massages ..., they can either prevent it or improve it.
Changes after delivery and breastfeeding
In the final stage of breastfeeding, the shape of the breast will depend on how your size or skin quality was previously.
Gravity's role is accelerating
The breast is undoubtedly one of the parts of the body that suffers the most during pregnancy, after it and if it has been the nutritional support of the child. In the first months of pregnancy, the breast increases considerably in size. The chest generates, saves milk and it remains very full and large as long as the baby suckles a lot, on demand and without ingesting other types of food. When this stage passes, the chest decreases. In the final stage, lThe shape of your breast will depend on how your size or skin quality was previously, that is, if the chest was small, the sagging and emptying may not be as noticeable as in a very large chest.
The breast will be sagging, less turgid, it may have stretch marks or enlargement of the areola and a soft nipple. To prevent this, you can use special bras, shower in cold water and continue with good hydration and massage. The almond oil helps the contribution of elasticity and prevention of stretch marks, however the sagging of the breast is normal.
After delivery and if the mother breastfeeds her child, metabolic wasting, excessive and rapid loss of weight…, Which is why iron-based treatment, postnatal vitamins, adequate food, a diet rich in calcium, water and all possible rest and help are important. Maintaining weight loss requires sports and good nutrition.
Cesarean scar
In the case of delivery by Caesarean section the scar that remains is visible, however nowadays the incision is usually made with great care without being too long or high, so it is usually not seen despite wearing underwear or bathing suit.
Prevention in physical changes
The woman should not neglect her health or her physique. The practice of sport is necessary as long as it has not been advised against. To this must be added the use of creams, good nutrition, massages ..., everything under medical control will reduce the damage to the body and allow a faster recovery.
Emotional changes
The woman is beautiful inside and out when her job is to have a baby in her womb and make her well-being take priority over her own.
During pregnancy there is already an emotional whirlwind that absorbs the woman, after childbirth there is sadness, exhaustion, irritation, crying ..., until reaching the dreaded postpartum depression. Physical changes and the new situation often cause the mother to not feel or feel good about herself. It takes time, the hormones are not so close to the surface and the mother gets used to the new environment. You may have to deal with sequelae such as stretch marks on the belly and chest, which can be very striking.
The choice of certain healthy lifestyle habits is very personal, combining sports, healthy living, avoiding “junk food”, drinking two liters of water a day, taking fruits, vegetables ...After giving birth, everything should be gradual, choosing at first to walk at a light pace and take more care in abdominal exercises for those who have suffered a cesarean section, starting to practice them at about half a year.
The beauty of a mother's body
The stereotype of a woman who becomes pregnant and does not care about her appearance should not be generalized. The woman, whenever she feels good, should groom herself and take care of herself, to feel good in every way and that the baby perceives it. The body of a woman is strong and is ready for changes, pain, transformation ... The woman is beautiful inside and out when her job is to have a baby in her womb and make her well-being prevail over her own. A mother is generous and courageous, and motherhood for practically all women deserves certain sacrifices.
The body of a mother reflects every moment lived and is beautiful for that reason, she gives herself to her son and to nature. This does not mean that one should not take care of oneself, on the contrary, what can be prevented or minimized is in one's own hands. The Woman It should not be described in a derogatory and cruel way, it has indeed changed just as his life has and that should not be seen negatively, It is an advance, it is maturity, it is what happens when giving life to another human being.
The body of a mother is not that of a young woman, nor that of a woman without children, it is a different one, it is one full of external and internal marks, more or less pronounced, perceptible by others or perhaps only by oneself. The memory is engraved in the woman for life and many are proud and makes you feel more of a woman.
The transformation to mother
When choosing one option or another, never forget that a woman's body has undergone major changes for good reason: maternity. Surely everything is difficult to assume, but It is worth it to see the baby and know that your own health has served to benefit the baby's. Many times the care, demand and attention to the child prevails, to the physical care that the mother could do ... Counseling and orienting yourself with the medical professional who follows the pregnancy and postpartum will help to seek measures for optimal and complete health.