Welcoming a new life into the world is a beautiful, transformative experience, but the journey can leave many women feeling disconnected from their bodies after vaginal delivery. Cultivating body positivity during this period is essential for both physical and emotional healing. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips to support you in reconnecting with your post-delivery body and celebrating all it has achieved.
What is Body Positivity Like After Vaginal Delivery?
1. Prioritize Perineal Care
After a vaginal delivery, the perineal area may experience soreness, swelling, or tears. To aid recovery, practice regular perineal care, including warm sitz baths and keeping the area clean and dry.
2. Acknowledge Pelvic Floor Changes
Childbirth can weaken pelvic floor muscles, leading to issues like incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. This is common, and pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) can strengthen these muscles.
3. Honor Your Postpartum Bleeding
Postpartum bleeding (lochia) can last for several weeks. This is your body’s natural way of shedding the lining built up during pregnancy. Rather than viewing it as a nuisance, remind yourself that this is part of the body’s recovery process.
4. Celebrate Vaginal Healing Milestones
It’s important to wait at least six weeks before resuming sexual activity.
5. Move Gently for Pelvic Health
Engaging in gentle physical activities like walking or stretching can support your recovery and make you feel better physically and mentally. Avoid high-impact exercises that put strain on your pelvic area until you’ve healed.
6. Focus on Core Strength
The abdominal muscles stretch significantly during pregnancy, often causing a condition called diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles). Gentle core-strengthening exercises, guided by a healthcare provider, can help heal this over time. Remember, this isn’t about “getting a flat stomach”—it’s about core stability and function.
7. Monitor Hormonal Changes
Vaginal deliveries lead to a quick drop in pregnancy hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which can affect your mood and body. Be mindful of these changes, and remind yourself that it’s natural to feel emotionally sensitive as your hormones fluctuate.
8. Celebrate The Journey of Breastfeeding
If you’re breastfeeding, your body is still actively nurturing your baby. This takes incredible energy, and your body is adapting to this process. If, for any reason, breastfeeding isn’t an option, know there is no shame in that choice—release any guilt and honor your own path.
9. Communicate with Your Gynecologist
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your gynecologist for concerns about vaginal healing, bleeding, or pelvic floor function. Regular postpartum check-ups are vital for your physical and emotional health. Be patient with your recovery process, and trust your body’s ability to heal.
10. Accept Your Post-Baby Body as Unique
Post-vaginal delivery bodies may take on new shapes and forms, including stretch marks, wider hips, and softer bellies. Each body is different and beautifully unique, and yours is a testament to the life it brought into the world.
Post-delivery, every mark and change tells a beautiful story of strength and nurturing. While it is important to give yourself grace, and embrace the journey of healing, knowing that your body has accomplished something extraordinary, it is also equally important to get quality medical care to ensure a faster recovery.