Your post pregnancy body
Pregnancy
Weight gain in pregnancy can vary greatly. Much of the extra weight is due to your baby growing, but your body will also be storing some fat, ready to make breast milk so most women will gain a few extra pounds.
However eating for two is not necessary and will leave you with excess weight after your baby is born.
The NHS has some good information on a healthy diet in pregnancy.
Post pregnancy diet
Once you have had your baby it is very important to eat regularly. Skipping meals in the postnatal period can slow your recovery.
Maintaining a stable blood sugar with three meals a day including a wide variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, carbohydrates, dairy, protein and unsaturated fats will maintain your physical and mental health.
Processed foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar should be avoided or eaten in very small amounts. Drink plenty of water, low caffeine and sugar free fluids.
Eating a varied diet will give you all the vitamins and nutrients which are needed to support the body to stay healthy.
Further reading
For more information see the NHS One You website
Your body
Your body has gone through some amazing changes and the challenges of delivering a baby.
Many women are left with a body that is different than before, and after your six weeks postnatal check you should be able to start a gentle exercise programme and begin to regain our pre pregnancy figure.
For others it can be more life changing particularly for women who have experienced some birth trauma.
Homerton physiotherapy department have a specialist service for women in the antenatal and postnatal period and can give you further support particularly with regaining your pelvic floor muscles if you experience any difficulties.
POGP (Pelvic Obstetric Gynaecolocigal Physiotherapy) also has some useful information.
Further reading
Pelvic girdle pain and other common conditions in pregnancy
The pelvic floor muscles – a guide for women
For other questions about your post pregnancy body your health visitor and GP can support you.
Exercising after birth
If you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise as soon as you feel up to it. This could include walking, gentle stretches and pelvic floor exercises. Your health visitor can direct you to information on exercise groups and ways to get healthy and stay fit in Hackney and the City.
Healthier Together Hackney offer a free 12 week exercise programme for fitness or weight management.
Further reading
Exercise and advice after pregnancy
Hackney sports and leisure and Hackney iCare – for sports clubs, leisure centres, swimming pools and more