Congratulations! You have just brought a new being into the world. Before anything else, take it easy on yourself. Spend time breathing that beautiful child scent and explore the new you. However, after some time, you will start being aware of the few body changes that came with the cut. Here are 12 secrets on how to get rid of hanging belly after C- section.
Most women who have given birth through C- section experience a hanging belly. If you are among them, bet you have your own share of the battle wounds, including exhaustion, post-partum depression, and a hanging belly.
The body changes could be affecting you so severely that you have to choose between a little morning cuddle with your bundle and hitting the gym.
For beginners, you are advised to embrace motherhood first. Leave instant flat tummy after C-section to celebrities.
After all these, you can breathe, knowing that there is how to get rid of hanging belly after C- section.
WHY DOES THE BELLY HANG AFTER C- SECTION?
If you have a hanging belly after C-section, you must be wondering, “what is causing a belly bulge when the child is already out?”
You could also be lost on whether it is fat or loose skin or just your hormones reacting.
You are right. It is a little bit of the above mentioned. This is how you got here.
While pregnant, it is obvious that you gained some weight, which is absolutely normal. On the other hand, as you gained this weight, your abdominal muscles, the rectus abdominis, and the internal oblique also changed.
These two muscles, which are parallel to one another and help support your core, also stretch out.
In addition to this stretching, your baby also needed more room. Averagely, a newborn baby weighs 3.2 kilograms (7 pounds). Your abdominal muscles and connective tissues had to stretch out to make room to accommodate this growth.
Also, your small intestines, sigmoid colon, and stomach had to adjust their position, all to create more room for your baby.
To cap it all up, your body naturally produced hormones to allow your connective tissues to become elastic.
Also, there is a high chance that you may be retaining fluid from your delivery. Normally, while pregnant, your body produces 50% more fluids than when it is normal. This is according to a piece published on Healthline Parenthood.
After birth, your body could still be holding on to this water, which you eventually get rid of through the numerous peeing and sweating.
Aligning all these to where it was before pregnancy might take you a little long and a little effort. So, take it easy on your body. It has been through a lot.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CUT
If you are reading this, you probably have had a personal experience with C- section, either directly because you had one or indirectly because you know someone who did.
You are also aware that the Caesarian Section, commonly referred to as C- section, is the baby’s surgical delivery.
It is a cut across the mother’s uterus to safely bring the baby out and is mostly done due to health complications.
It is important to note that having a C- section means that your abdominal muscles have been deeply cut into and that you have a surgical wound to mend. Before you start fighting the sagging belly, allow your wound to heal first.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR C- SECTION TO HEAL INTERNALLY?
Just like other surgeries, you would need time for this one to heal internally. Expect to stay in the hospital for three to four days after delivery and longer if you have any complications.
Also, give your body up to 6-8 weeks to fully heal and your stomach to shrink. Shrinking of the stomach is known as involution.
While your body is healing, you should refrain from intense work as this could lead to the wound opening up again.
Ask your friends or relatives to help clean your clothes or other works that could include you bending. The attention needed from you by the baby is enough. Adding more to it with errands could lead to serious cases like depression.
HOW TO GET RID OF HANGING BELLY AFTER C-SECTION
Below are some proactive ways to get rid of the hanging belly while at the comfort of your home.
1. BREASTFEED
According to a Food & Nutrition piece, a breastfeeding mom uses up to 500 calories daily to make the breast milk that is needed to feed the baby for the compulsory 6 months.
Some of these calories will come from your hanging belly.
How does this fat blast happen? Well, according to the American Pregnancy Association, a breastfeeding mum will secrete 425- 700 calories into breast milk per day.
The number is this high because your body had not come up with the ways to create your baby’s milk efficiently, so now it has to work extra hard.
2. CONSIDER A POSTPARTUM SUPPORT BELT
The girdle or postpartum belt can be a good strategy for getting rid of hanging belly after C- section.
Although it is originally meant to provide support to the otherwise weakened abdominal muscles, you may be surprised that in the process of doing its main role, it will shrink your tummy into its rightful place.
3. MINIMIZE STRETCHMARKS
This strategy on how to get rid of hanging belly after C- section is rather psychological. This is because it is based on the idea that stretchmarks will make you feel like the problem at hand is magnified.
Consider going for anti- stretchmarks cremes as there’s no approved way to eliminate the marks.
Besides, rubbing the crème on your hanging belly comes in handy because as you rub it in for maximum absorption by the skin, you also enhance circulation in that region.
4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Did you know that new moms who have less than 5 hours of sleep per night record a harder time getting rid of excess weight than those who sleep 7 hours?
Apart from helping you lose weight, enough sleep will also give you better mental health, which is important for your general wellbeing.
5. TRACK BOTH YOUR FOOD AND EXERCISE
Consider writing down everything you eat and drink, and the portions too. This will help you stay alert on the food you take in and the adjustments you ought to make in your diet and exercise.
6. DRINK ENOUGH WATER
Not only does this help you to recover the fluid used to make your breast milk, but it also a strategy on how to get rid of hanging belly after C- section.
It makes your stomach fuller, reducing the need to snack every time due to hunger.
7. EAT HEALTHY
Try reducing the number of junk foods you are taking and replace them with healthy fruits and vegetables. Use the fact that you have a newborn as motivation to change your eating habits.
8. OPTIMIZE YOUR MILK PRODUCTION
As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding will see you lose more calories. You can enhance this by increasing the amount of breast milk your body produces. Consider foods that are best known for this, such as chickpeas, oatmeal, and barley.
9. INCLUDE YOUR BABY IN YOUR WORKOUT
This will help avoid using the baby as an excuse for finding time for a workout. You can go on light walks with them or use them as resistance for weight training.
10. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
All this time, while you are working on strategies on how to get rid of hanging belly after C- section, include your doctor in every process. Pay keen attention to your body and report any abnormalities you feel.
11. GET MORE ACTIVE WHEN NOT WORKING OUT
When you are not working out, remember to stay active. You can do this by going for light walks with your baby. Remember not to push yourself too hard.
12. TRY KEGELS
Kegels are exercises meant to strengthen your pelvic floor. During pregnancy, a lot of pressure was applied on your pelvic floor with your growing baby.
BOTTOMLINE
As you try these secrets on how to get rid of hanging belly after the C- section, remember that patience is key. Give your body ample time to heal first.
Resist the temptation to compare notes with other moms because every new mom is different in her own way and records new experiences.
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