If you’re anything like me and my group of mom friends, a top-ranking priority following delivery of our little ones was to reclaim our health—including shedding the baby weight from the last nine months.
If you’re in the same boat, what should you expect? Where should you start? Let’s talk about it!
Weight Lost During Childbirth
Let me begin by saying congratulations on your new bundle of joy! Take a minute to admire the amazing work your body endured to create and deliver this little life.
As you adjust to your newly transformed postpartum body, be reassured that your body is physiologically designed to shed most of the pregnancy weight.
Your body is resilient. In fact, you start the weight loss process during childbirth.
Throughout the birthing process, amniotic fluid flushing and delivery of baby and placenta leads to an average of about 13 pounds being lost during childbirth<sup>1</sup>.
The weight loss doesn’t stop there! Post-delivery, moms experience an increase in urine output in the hours and days following childbirth, adding to the weight loss total<sup>1, 2</sup>.
Frequent trips to the bathroom are in response to extra fluids given during the labor process and shifting of fluid storage from the hands, feet, and other parts of the body that store during pregnancy in response to cues from hormones. Say goodbye to swelling!
And yet, the body doesn’t stop there either—weight loss continues.
Note: Certain conditions, such as postpartum preeclampsia, may prolong fluid retention that may lead to altered patterns of weight decline and sometimes weight gain post-delivery<sup>3</sup>. If you cling to weight or weight increases and is accompanied with elevated blood pressure, headaches, vision changes, or other concerning symptoms, contact your women’s health provider (OB/GYN or midwife), as this may be a sign of a serious medical condition.
Postpartum Weight Loss Timeline
The postpartum weight loss timeline can vary based on weight prior to pregnancy, pre-delivery condition, labor and delivery experience, and postpartum adjustment.
The pounds typically continue to drop at a steady rate over the first six weeks. On average, half of the weight gained during pregnancy is lost during this immediate postpartum time.
Later postpartum (six weeks to one year), the rate of weight loss slows but continues<sup>4</sup>.
Restoration of loose skin takes longer when compared to weight loss. Skin on the abdomen and thighs become stretchy during pregnancy.
Skin changes in pregnancy are due to a combination of biological factors, including alterations in hormones, the body’s immune system, and increased blood flow throughout the body.
Postpartum loose skin will improve but will never fully return to its pre-pregnancy state. Skin on the stomach takes longer to tighten and is likely to look slightly different post-pregnancy. Skin on the thighs is more likely to return to a pre-pregnancy resemblance<sup>5</sup>.
Diet and exercise help with both dropping baby weight and reducing the appearance of loose skin after pregnancy<sup>5,6</sup>.
