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As new mums, our bodies change dramatically during pregnancy and weight gain is one of the most noticeable factors. On average women gain around 20-30 pounds in only a few short months. Your uterus can enlarge some 500 x it’s normal size by the end of the pregnancy. Your body also produces hormones that help make the joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscle fibres more pliable. After baby arrives, you could still appear to be pregnant and for many the question is, ‘how do I get my body back’?

After baby arrives, we are always eager to get back to our normal body weight, but this can take time and this transition certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It can sometimes take weeks or months to get back to YOU.

If you had a healthy pregnancy and a normal vaginal delivery, the answer may be sooner than you thought. You can start exercising within a few days of delivery if you feel ready, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

That doesn't mean picking up where you left off in your favourite boot camp class, though. Walking is a great start for many women. That could be a 10-minute stroll around the block, with or without your baby. Build up as you feel able, aiming for 20 to 30 minutes a day. By six weeks postpartum, getting 150 minutes of exercise a week is a good goal, just like for all adults.

If you had a C-section, you may need to take it more slowly. Check in with your GP, midwife, or physical therapist for advice here.

First decide on your goal. Do you want to lose weight or just to get healthy? Either way, retraining the core — which includes the pelvic floor — is the first step.

Forget crunches and sit-ups – it’s best to avoid these types of moves altogether. After nine months of being stretched out, your abdominal muscles need to relearn how to work properly first.

Start with Kegel exercises — contracting and relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor as soon as you feel able. Simply squeeze as if you're trying to stop the flow of urine, thinking about drawing your pelvic floor up. Hold this for three to five seconds. Then relax.

Once you have Kegels down, try adding belly breathing. Breathe in deeply, letting your belly expand and your pelvic floor relax. Then exhale, drawing your bellybutton in and your pelvic floor up, doing a Kegel.

These exercises are perfect for the early weeks of postpartum since they can be done anytime, anywhere — even while holding or nursing your baby.

This is always a challenge for all new mums, but I can be done. Here is how:

• Try a mum and baby class. Mommy-and-me fitness classes offer benefits beyond the workout. You get to be active while spending time with your baby. You'll meet other new parents. And workouts often target specific needs of new moms.
• Trade child care with another parent. It truly takes a village. Taking turns watching a friend's child while they work out and vice versa helps you build your village — and get a workout in.
• Use a jogging stroller. Walking or jogging with a stroller gets you and your baby some fresh air. And it may even get your baby a good nap.
• Ask for help. It may feel like nobody can take care of your baby as well as you can. But letting your partner or another person support you is essential to your well-being.

Whilst your body is getting back into shape, you may be breastfeeding and the need to feel comfortable in your clothing. There are a number of options to help you feel supported on this journey.

At Exquisite Bodies we offer a range of high-quality Maternity Wear and scar care to aid in your post surgical recovery.

Contact Exquisite Bodies on 1300 855 617 or visit the range here.

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