#postpregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful life changing phase. The skin glow, changes in the growth of our body along with nine months of no periods is just a part of the changes that one undergoes.

But what happens to our periods after childbirth? When does it return? Does our period change post-pregnancy? Let's explore.

The return of periods is dependent on whether you breastfeed or not. If you don't breastfeed your periods might return within 4-6 weeks post pregnancy. However, if you breastfeed the timing may vary. If your baby is only receiving your breast milk (also known as exclusive breastfeeding) you might not have a period the entire time you are breastfeeding. For others, it could return after a few months.

After giving birth, there might be heavy bleeding and vaginal discharge as the body continues to shed blood and tissue that lined the uterus during pregnancy. For the first few weeks post childbirth the bleeding could be heavier, forming clots followed by vaginal discharge (It is not considered as menstruation, it is called lochia). It is suggested that the parent use pads instead of tampons when experiencing lochia. This might then be followed by period if one is not breastfeeding with or without a gap.

Our body takes time to adjust to periods post pregnancy which might mean: fluctuations in length, time and intensity of periods, painful cramps, etc.

It is essential to look out for signs that mean you should seek medical advice. Some of them are:

- Change of more than one pad per hour

- Sudden and severe pain while bleeding

- fever

- blood clots bigger than softball

- discharge that has a foul smell

- extreme headaches

- difficulty in breathing

- pain during urination

Please contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Dealing with postpartum period is just one of the several ways we adjust our body back. It is essential to listen to the signs our bodies give.

Sending love and good wishes,

What an ugly creature you are.

Your name terrifies pregnant mothers. You’re a constant fear of new moms.

Sometimes you creep in slowly. Dropping little signs that you’ve arrived. Casting shadows across the beautiful and innocent face of a newborn baby. You start in the kitchen with the dishes, or the bathroom with the toilets and you spread until you’ve contaminated a home with your stench.

Or sometimes you arrive in full force. They hand the unsuspecting mama the sweet baby that she’s spent 9 months preparing for and in the same gesture they also hand her you. She didn’t know she should also be expecting you and that you would follow them home and take over what was meant to be a blissful moment in time.

You kind of showed up like that for me. You just kind of barged in and demanded to be heard.

I didn’t like that.

I’m really not one to be intimidated or forced away from her happiness. So I held on really tight to what was rightfully mine. We have battled, really hard you and I. And that has manifested itself as rage and tears. We go back and forth.

But I show up everyday because I have to. Because I need to. Because I want to.

Though you have tried really hard to change this, my children and my family are my entire world and if that means I have to refill, with sweat and tears, my cup that you have emptied, I will do it.

You have stolen from me moments that I will never get back. And I know you will probably steal a few more. But rest assured that you will not win. For within me is a power that no other being on earth can recreate.

I have the ability to create and nurture life. You are not stronger than me.

But this does not mean that, I won’t need help. Or that all of the other mothers you’ve captured won’t need help. The problem is, we are really good at shoving you into a closet and sweeping up your path of destruction before help arrives.

Many of us have perfected the art of covering up the black eyes and the heartaches you’ve inflicted on us with shape tape concealer and tinted moisturizer. There’s nothing a little mascara and lipstick can’t fix, am I right?

Our houses are clean because they have to be cleaned. Our children need a safe home to live in. They have on clean clothes, but they were probably pulled from a basket of last weeks unfolded laundry. Tucked nice and tight in a back room where no one will see. Everyone is fed, all the diapers are changed, and overall everyone fits together into the mold of a picture perfect family.

So she goes unheard. And she goes forgotten. And people see her and say “oh wow she’s really such a great mom!” And she IS.

But being a great mom doesn’t mean she is not in need of help, support, or love.

She weighs 9 lbs 3 ounces.

She loves when her daddy sings to her and falling asleep on my chest while I rub her back.

She hates being cold, tummy time, and poopy diapers.

I’m starting my weight loss journey after a VERY LONG TIME off the wagon. I don’t expect to shed LBS on a dime, especially since I’ve just had a baby (who is celebrating her 3rd monthiversary <3). I have also developed blood clots in my left leg, so exercise for me cannot be as extreme as I may have once done.

I’d appreciate the encouragement, the support, any suggestions, and questions are welcome (please keep appropriate).

I don’t actually know my starting weight (SW) but I’m going to the doctor’s office tomorrow so I will update this. However, I know that the scale isn’t the only unit of measure so I’ll be taking progress pictures as well. I won’t show the first one until my month 1 is done. This is by NO MEANS a fitblr. Its just to keep me accountable. I know that what you put into your body is what you will get out. I’ll try to  post some foodie pictures. I’m warning you, I’ll probably have a few cheat days in the beginning.

SW: 222 (Wow, I was not expecting this...) GW: 135 (hence the tumblr name)

My first target goal is: 215 Other goals: > DRINK MORE AGUA! Lets just start with 2 bottles/day. > exercise for the energy!