How to get rid of belly after childbirth: healthy ways to regain your figure

After a woman gives birth, her body goes through major changes and it can be difficult to regain shape and tone in the abdominal area. Many factors, including hormonal changes, breastfeeding and the accumulation of fatty tissue, can contribute to the appearance of a lax and stretch-mark affected abdomen.

In the following we will explore how you can return to your pre-pregnancy shape using body contouring, diet and exercise procedures.

Why you get a tummy ache after childbirth - common causes

The changes a woman's body can go through, both during pregnancy and after birth, are numerous and can become overwhelming at times. Pregnancy brings with it a veritable hormonal storm, which will almost invariably be reflected in the new mother's physical appearance.

What is important to remember, first of all, is that the changes your body goes through with pregnancy are as normal as can be. The same hormones that produce them will then work to restore your body as close as possible to the state and appearance it had before pregnancy.

So, during pregnancy, every woman's body goes through a series of changes, both hormonal and physical, which can have a significant impact on the appearance of the body. The causes leading to these changes are:

• water retention - Progesterone and estrogen, which are present in high concentrations during pregnancy, can cause water retention in the body, which can lead to swelling of the legs, ankles and hands. It can also occur in the abdominal area;
• weight gain - It is normal for a woman to gain weight during pregnancy, but the number of pounds and the way they are distributed varies from body to body. The extra weight can be due to the accumulation of fat tissue, fluid accumulation, and also the placenta, which is to be removed shortly after birth;
• uterine enlargement - During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges and can lead to a change in the position of the internal organs, as well as stretching of the abdominal muscles, so that after birth the abdomen will remain enlarged for a while;
• stretch marks - stretch marks occur due to the rapid stretching of the skin, which cannot be fully supported by production collagen. Stretch marks may appear mainly on the breasts, abdomen and buttocks.

How your body behaves after birth

After giving birth, your body starts to go through the recovery process, but some of the changes that have occurred may persist.

For example, the hormones that cause water retention may continue to act for several weeks after birth, which can lead to the appearance of a bloated abdomen. In addition, because abdominal muscles stretch during pregnancy, they will need time to return to normal.

It is important to remember that every woman is physically different and will recover differently, so it is important not to compare your recovery from childbirth with the recovery process of other women.

It's also important to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have about the appearance of your body after childbirth and ask for advice on an exercise plan, cosmetic procedures and nutrition that is right for your needs.

How long does it take for the tummy to return to normal after childbirth

The time required for the abdomen to recover after childbirth varies from woman to woman and depends on many factors, such as: the weight accumulated during pregnancy, the degree of toning of the abdominal muscles before pregnancy, whether there were complications during childbirth or whether the birth took place naturally or by caesarean section.

In general, recovery can be quicker and easier if you had an active lifestyle and healthy diet before and during pregnancy, and if you started exercising gradually after the birth, under the guidance of a specialist.

Most women can observe a improvement the appearance of the abdomen after a few weeks after birth, but full recovery can take between 6 and 12 months. Specific exercises for abdominal muscle recovery and exercises to strengthen the back and pelvic muscles can help to speed recovery.

It is essential to focus on recovering your appearance and muscle tone in a healthy way and not expect to look exactly as you did before pregnancy, immediately after giving birth.

It is also advisable to discuss your postnatal recovery plan with your doctor and to do appropriate exercises adapted to your body. In addition, a healthy eating plan and a proper rest and sleep routine will speed up the recovery of your body and your health in general.

Postnatal belt or exercise?

The postnatal belt is an elastic band, indicated to be worn around the abdomen, which can help support the abdominal muscles and back during recovery after childbirth. There are different types of postnatal belts, some are simpler, others have additional support for the lower back. The use of the postnatal belt has a number of advantages, such as:

• abdominal muscle support - During pregnancy, abdominal muscles can partially lose their elasticity and stretch, the postnatal belt can help support these muscles and tone them after birth;
• pain reduction - Back pain can be a common occurrence after childbirth, so the postnatal belt can support the back muscles and relieve pain;
• speeding up recovery - The postnatal belt can help to compress and support the abdominal muscles after birth, reduce inflammation and pain and, last but not least, facilitate a faster recovery of the abdominal muscles;
• position correction - The postnatal belt can lead to proper adjustment of the spine position and also prevent lower back pain.

It is important to note that the effects of the postnatal belt are limited, as it cannot restore the initial toning of the abdominal muscles, but is rather an adjuvant in the recovery process, from a medical point of view. Thus, to regain your pre-pregnancy physical shape as soon as possible, adopt a specific exercise programme and a healthy eating plan.

If you need guidance in these matters, you can consult your doctor to find out what diet and exercise are best for you so that the benefit-risk balance is favourable.

Exercise and diet after childbirth

It is preferable to start with easy exercises and focus on those that aim to tone and strengthen the abdominal muscles, such as planking or medicine ball exercises.

If you have had a caesarean birth, you will need to wait a longer period of time before you can start exercising to allow the tissues to recover properly after the operation.

One aspect not to be neglected in postnatal recovery is diet. Healthy eating can contribute to weight loss and recovery after childbirth. It is important to eat foods that are as rich in nutrients as possible and to avoid processed foods and foods high in sugar.

Rest and sleep are also essential for the body's recovery after childbirth, so it is important to try to get as much sleep as possible and avoid strenuous activities in the first weeks after birth.

Tummy reshaping procedures after childbirth

After childbirth, body contouring procedures in the abdominal area can be particularly useful. After a woman has given birth, the abdominal muscles may be weak and lax, and the skin may be saggy or show stretch marks. In addition, accumulated fat tissue around the abdominal area can lead to an unsightly appearance.

At Cronos Med clinics, women who experience an enlarged abdomen after childbirth can benefit from minimally invasive surgical procedures to eliminate this aesthetic problem:

• 4D liposculpture - is an advanced liposuction technique based on Body-Jet WAL (Water Assisted Liposuction) technology. This technology allows precise removal of fat cells without damaging blood vessels, lymph vessels or nerves. Also, the technology used in the 4D liposculpture procedure allows for the removal of fat tissue without causing cellular damage;
• total abdominoplasty - involves making two incisions, one along the lower abdomen and one around the navel. Through this procedure, excess skin is removed from the pubic area and around the belly button, muscles are repositioned and tightened, and liposuction can continue to correct the overall appearance of the area;
• partial abdominoplasty - is a surgical procedure for people with excess skin and a prominent underbelly area. Partial abdominoplasty involves an incision that can vary in size (from a few centimetres to the entire length of the abdomen). After the incision is made, excess skin is removed and, in some cases, liposuction is performed to improve the shape and appearance of the abdominal area;
• tummy tuck - is a surgical method derived from the classic abdominoplasty procedure, in which the incisions are extended to the lateral areas of the waist, positioned below the bikini line. This facilitates the removal of excess skin and fat from the hips and thighs, providing a complete approach to the abdominal area.

Of course, before making any decision about whether to have an aesthetic procedure for this problem, it is particularly important to talk to your aesthetician and, together, identify the most suitable treatment option for you.

Cronos Med specialists are ready to answer your questions and provide you with the highest standards of care. If you have given birth and are experiencing excess tissue in the abdominal area, we invite you to make an appointment for a consultation, either by calling 021 9097 or using the contact form.