It’s hard to believe it’s already been a little over 2 weeks since I delivered sweet baby R. The weeks flew by, especially last week having her home for the first time. I can say the first couple of days while she was in the NICU the days dragged on. It was a slow week for us, as we waited for her to come home.
My body changed so much during pregnancy and I didn’t think it would change more after her birth. But let’s just say our bodies continue to change even postpartum. For some there’s great changes, as the weight comes off. But then there’s areas you’re just not entirely so keen on….like engorged breasts…ouch.
I never knew just how draining a birth could be. I went into it without any sleep over the past 30 hours. By the time I had to push I was exhausted. So let’s just say you start motherhood already exhausted, and the exhaustion only get’s worse. There’s lots of recovery time that needs to happen, and rest and recovery, as my mom would say, don’t belong in the same sentence with Bryanna.
I will admit I am not good about resting and just stopping. In my defense the first week after birth was spent rushing and going, as baby R was in the NICU for 6 days. Rest really didn’t go together with me. I have taken one nap since having baby girl, and this was forced by my sister and mom.
So much has changed. I am exhausted, but I do sleep soundly for the couple hours a night I do get. I do have some lower back pain from my back labor, and the occasional cramps, but this is even dissipating. I am still a little sore where I had the stitches, but I was able to start running on Monday.
I am only doing every other day and doing 4 miles. It felt great to be back out there. I love running in the fall. At the same time I feel awkward running. I feel so much more light on my feet, and it’s like I don’t know how to run without the bump. My center of gravity isn’t off anymore. I feel awkward in my stride, awkward in my arm swing, awkward in my lean, and feel as if I look funny when I run. I guess it will take some getting used to, since the past 9 months of running I was pregnant.
There is still some pressure and pain in my lady parts when I do run, but as long as I keep it minimal and don’t push it, my doctor says I am fine to run. Most of the stitches have dissolved, and they surprisingly don’t give me any discomfort while running. I have been getting side aches, but compared to childbirth these are nothing 😉
I can say the first few days after birth were the hardest. It was painful to sit and stand, because of the stitches. I greatly appreciated the diapers filled with ice I was given by the hospital nurses. Those were amazing!! Â By the end of the day I was so sore from all the walking back and forth from the NICU, but by the end of week 1 the pain was less and less. I declined any pain relievers, as I was already mad about having to get antibiotics.
The antibiotics administered to me because of the infection during labor, left me with a horrible rash on my face. I hadn’t had antibiotics in over 6 years, and apparently my body didn’t like them. Breast milk and tea tree oil cream cleared the rash up within a week. I am learning breast milk is great for many things!! The common baby acne, rashes, diaper rashes, sore nipples…you name it. It’s the new coconut oil!! 😉
My baby weight is completely gone. I didn’t gain much to begin with, so I wasn’t worried about having to work to hard to lose it. In fact, I am one of those women who was lucky and didn’t have to do anything to lose the weight. Within one week I had lost it all and more. I have lost double the weight I gained, which is concerning me.
One day after Birth
One week after birth
2 weeks after birth
I basically have my abs back without having to do anything. All those planks paid off during pregnancy I guess.
I am trying to gain weight currently since I have lost more than I gained while pregnant. You burn a lot of calories making milk, and I have produced a lot of milk. My breasts were engorged and I was pumping like crazy the first week and a half, while feeding baby girl, for some relieve. I have frozen over 2 gallons of milk already. It’s crazy. I still have to pump even after feeding her.
I am trying to up my calories even more to keep my weight on and up. It’s been hard. I want to continue to eat healthy for baby girl, and trying to gain weight at the same time isn’t easy. I resorted to using half and half in my cereal for some added fat. I ate bagels and cream cheese the first week after birth for added calories, and I don’t eat bagels or do dairy.
Baby girl at 2 weeks old!!
I bought some pumpkin ice cream from Trader Joe’s last night too. Obviously I won’t eat it in one sitting, but I figured it could help to add some calories, and the ingredient label doesn’t list anything terribly unhealthy. Yes I checked!! 😉  I have never counted calories as I have a fast metabolism, and now I am counting calories to ensure I am getting enough. I have always ate what I wanted, always healthy with occasional treats, and now I am trying to eat high fat foods, that are still healthy.
As a nutritionist I know what’s unhealthy and healthy, which is great, but finding high fat foods that are healthy isn’t entirely easy. Basically I eat ALL. DAY. LONG. If you have any suggestions please give them!!
I am amazed at what our bodies can do, and the little miracle I grew and gave birth too. It’s so amazing. I love being a mom, even if it means sleepless nights and sore breasts. But this doesn’t mean I want more kids any time soon…sorry mom and dad 😉
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
How long did it take you to recover after pregnancy? Suggestions for weight gain?