In the photo above, I compare my 4 weeks pregnant self to my 6 weeks postpartum self. As you can see, my mid section is just all around bigger. Understandable, since I just had a human living inside of me, right? I am no longer comparing my body to my pregnancy body. I’m just past that point and now I want to start getting back to my pre-pregnancy body since I was so comfortable and happy with how I looked. It will take time, obviously.
I had my 6 weeks postpartum check up this past week and learned that I have healed up nicely and I was “released” from my doctors care and told I am all set until my annual appointment with my obgyn in a year. Wooho! To be honest I just don’t like going to doctor visits. I have had too many in the past few years and not just for pregnancy. The pregnancy ones were actually quite enjoyable, I’m just glad to have a break for a while.
So going into my 6 week postpartum appointment I was weighed. I was actually looking forward to this! My scale at home is so off so I will head out to buy a new one soon, but I really wasn’t sure how much I had lost since delivery. So I stepped on the scale and was pleased to see that I have lost 17 lbs since delivery! I gained a total of 30 lbs in my pregnancy so I’m more than half way there with losing the “baby weight”. Although I normally don’t pay too much attention to the scale, I pay more attention to how I look than how much I weigh, I was happy to see the lbs coming off with little effort. I have not exercised other than a few walks and staying active with house cleaning and tending to my baby and the dogs, so all credit goes to breast feeding and the amazing things a woman’s body can achieve on it’s own!
So back to my appointment, I had my blood pressure taken as usual, which looked great and then went onto the questions. They focus a lot on making sure you have the support you need as a new mom or a mother of multiple children. They focus on making sure you aren’t experiencing postpartum depression and that you are happy with how things are at home. I am experiencing no depression and have plenty of support, thankfully. They were happy to hear my husband changes the dirty diapers at night ๐
After the questions it was time for the exam which was a little scary since I did tear down there and have been quite gentle with my lady parts since delivery. So the thought of anything going in there I wasn’t quite ready for, but didn’t have a choice, right? I was informed that my stitches had completely healed andย everything looked great internally. Although, I do still get a bit sore after being on my feet for too long, I’m sure two flights of stairs don’t help while doing laundry, other than that I feel great. He pushed on my uterus and belly to make sure things felt ok in there and then checked my ovaries which was just as painful as being checked for dilation, but scarier when you were just recently stitched up down there! The things that went through my mind were scary haha. Just being honest.
Once the exam was done, I said my thank yous and good byes and checked out.
I then rewarded myself with a nice big burger and ice cream and a trip to Target!
3-6 Weeks Postpartum Symptoms:
-Bleeding had slowed down into the second week and by the fourth week had completely stopped.
-No period since delivery.
-Breastfeeding and pumping are going wonderfully! No complaints. My boobs are tender to the touch sometimes but nipples are not getting sore anymore and no cracks or bleeding or blistering. (Poor boobs, right?) Every other day I’ll put some breast milk on my nipples and let it air dry, which feels quite cooling.
-I have noticed (when filming myself for youtube) that my posture is pretty horrible, which is normal after carrying around a baby inside of you and also after your abdominal muscles just aren’t the same. So I have been starting to keep my abs tight as often as I can and work on getting my back to be straight again as well as keep my shoulders back. This will take some time.
-Going into the 6th week when I pee everything feels 100% normal. No burning, or any other weird feelings that shouldn’t be happening.
-My skin has had spurts of break outs since week 3. I have had incredibly dry skin from breastfeeding and that could be a factor, but it could also be hormones and lack of sleep. It started to clear a bit in week 5.
-Speaking of sleep! I am getting around 6 hours every night the past week or so! Amazing. We got our little guy on a great sleeping and feeding schedule. He caught on so quickly.
-Cravings include: Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad, cheese cake, salmon, asparagus, omelets with veggies and ham, avocado, and all kinds of seafood.
-I am still taking my prenatal so my nails are still growing like crazy.
-Restless legs is not happening as often. I was told by my doctor to drink a gatorade or powerade during the day to help with the electrolytes you lose while breastfeeding. I haven’t tried it yet. He also recommended a magnesium supplement.
Guys, I want my thigh gap back! Haha. I am tired of rubbing thighs.
I will be starting an exercise routine in the next week or so and have been making sure I eat pretty healthy with the exception of a sweet a day. I am thinking I’ll start light and then get into insanity or Kayla Intsines BBG program. Some people may think I’m crazy or annoying, but I am no longer comparing myself to my pregnant body anymore. I am past the point of feeling tiny after losing my big belly, I am now starting to feel the extra 10 lbs or so that are lingering and my hips are still quite wide.
I started to help my body by eating well, but I also ordered and have been using the Shrinkx Hips Ultra. It’s a band that is recommended to be worn from delivery to 8 weeks postpartum while the hormone Relaxin is still in your body from pregnancy so that the hip bones can get back to where they were pre-pregnancy. My hips are a good 2 inches wider than before. We will see how great the band works. I have a feeling I may have started it a bit late (in week 5 postpartum) but I also heard Relaxin stays in your body longer if you’re breastfeeding. I’ll keep track of my results.
Over all I am feeling really great this week and I feel like I am back to my normal self with the exception of a few extra pounds and bigger boobies. Hahaha
Ryder is doing great. His 2 month appointment is on the 23rd of May and so far he’s becoming quite the porker. Go Mama’s breast milk! He is already starting to wear 3 month clothing depending on the brand (Carter’s mostly). Like I mentioned above he is on a great sleep schedule. If you want to know how my husband and I got our 6 week old on a sleep schedule let me know and I can share!
I did give into the pacifier since I was so tired of being used as one.
He loves bath time which we do every other night and he is smiling and laughing and keeping us so entertained even after his 1am feeding. ๐
3 comments
I would love to hear how you and your husband got the baby on a sleep schedule! I’m pregnant, expecting my first, and would love to get as much advice as possible! Especially since I have to return to work after maternity leave. Thanks!!
Ahhhh I think you look great! And his smile is adorable. My guy is 10 weeks and loves to giggle and play at 3am and I can’t even be mad at the smiles. What’s your sleep schedule like? We are only up once, usually around 3-4am, but would love to start a schedule and work towards sleeping through the night!
I can definitely relate! I just found your blog when looking up 2 weeks postpartum as that is what I am now. Iโd love to hear about your sleep training schedule! Thanks for sharing your story.