10 unexpected things that happen to your body after pregnancy

Talk to your doctor if you think you have postpartum depression.

By Sara Greenfest, INSIDER

Your body changes a lot throughout your pregnancy.

When you're pregnant your body changes in ways you didn't realize were possible. And the changes don't disappear the moment after you give birth. From swelling to potential hair loss, the postpartum journey has many side effects.

Here are 10 ways your body changes after pregnancy.

You might start to lose your hair.

It can be scary washing your hair in the shower and suddenly a massive clump comes out. So be warned, you might lose your hair after childbirth. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, also known as ACOG, this is due to the fact that your hormones are returning to their normal level. During pregnancy, your body's normal hair growth cycle has shifted, which is why many women experience weird hair growth during this time as well. The hair loss shouldn't last more than three to six months.

Your stomach might feel like a marshmallow.

This is true no matter how tight your abs were beforehand. Right after birth, your stomach will feel like a big bowl of jello. Doctors usually recommend not doing any exercise for at least six weeks postpartum, since your abs did just undergo somewhat of a trauma. By six weeks you should start to feel your stomach firming up again. Some women do suffer from diastasis recti, which is when your left and right ab muscles have separated and you are left with a small "pooch." It's fairly common and there are special exercises that can be done to help minimize the bulge.

You may have some swelling in your feet and face.

Although you did lose a lot of liquids in childbirth, your body retained a lot of water throughout this whole process, and it can take time for all that excess water to exit your body. Sweating and frequent urination are the main ways your body tries to eliminate the water, but in the meantime, you may have some swelling in your ankles, feet, hands, and face. Drinking lots of water and light exercise will help you increase circulation and retain less water, according to Healthline.

Your skin may have some discoloration and stretch marks.

You may have noticed a dark line on your stomach, spots on your inner thighs, and those pain in the butt stretch marks, while you were pregnant. The good news is, most of the discolored spots on your skin will fade as your body's hormone levels get back to normal.

You'll feel like you have a never-ending period.

According to the Office of Women's Health, most postpartum women experience mild bleeding for a few weeks post birth. So don't be alarmed if it feels like it will never end, it will.

Your breasts will become engorged.

If you are planning on nursing your baby for the first time, you may be wondering if your body is even producing milk? It takes a few days for your milk to come in, but you'll know when it does. Your breasts become super hard and full, according to Summit Medical Group. Nursing your baby often helps relieve the pressure.

If you've had a c-section, you probably won't be able to lift much.

C-section deliveries require a bit more healing time than vaginal births. Most patients are told not to lift anything over their baby's weight, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Heavy lifting can lead to possibly ripping the scar or something inside, which can lead to infection. Definitely, wait for the OK from your doctor before picking up any super heavy objects.

You may feel some lingering contractions.

This is especially common after you've already given birth multiple times. What you are feeling is your uterus going back to its normal pre-pregnancy size. You will usually feel this the most while nursing in those early days, but the pain should subside after about a week.

If you're looking for relief, a 2011 study found aspirin and other NSAIDs including naproxen were more effective at relieving uterine cramping pain than paracetamol or a placebo. Talk to your doctor, however, before taking any medication while breastfeeding.

You'll probably experience some uncontrollable emotions.

Between your body healing, your hormones raging, the lack of sleep, and life carrying on around you, caring for a new baby can feel extremely overwhelming. Don't feel ashamed if you just need to cry. You may not even know why your eyes are welling up with tears, and that's OK, too.

Remember, postpartum depression is a real and serious issue. It is more common than you may think, so if you find yourself falling into an uncontrollable slump, talk to your doctor immediately.

You sweat a lot at night.

After giving birth your our hormone levels are off and you've retained a lot of fluid over the course of your pregnancy, which your body hasn't 100% gotten rid of yet. So, you start to sweat it all out. Healthline suggests drinking lots of water and cooling the temperature in your room.


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