Pregnancy & Postpartum Challenges
Pregnancy is one of the strongest changes you can experience. The journey during your pregnancy and postpartum is a long and challenging one, but it’s so worth it in the end! We’d like to tell you which changes you probably will experience.
First Trimester
The first trimester begins on the first day of a woman’s last menstrual cycle and lasts until the 13th week. Missed period, weight loss, and sensitive stomach are common symptoms of a probable pregnancy. If you got pregnant, you will feel different from these slight changes, even though there is no physical change. Due to changing hormones, you feel discomfort.
Morning Sickness: Morning sickness can happen at any time of day, mainly due to hormone level changes within the first few months of pregnancy. Getting some rest, snacking frequently, avoiding foods and smells that irritate you, eating salty things like crackers, drinking plenty of fluids can help you. If you have severe symptoms like fainting, having a high temperature, vomiting blood, consult your doctor immediately.
Breast Tenderness: Due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone production, you can feel more breast tenderness and soreness. Fortunately, this soreness will be relieved over time as your body adjusts to new hormone levels. In the meanwhile, Yamuna Natural Bamboo Breastfeeding Bra and alternating heat and cold therapy can be helpful to you.
Extreme Fatigue: You may feel more tired than usual because of the drastic increase in your progesterone level. It’s important to get enough rest and maintain a healthy lifestyle to feel better. This includes getting enough nutrients. You’d better be active as much as you can to boost your energy levels. Try to sleep early and if needed, take naps.
Second Trimester
The second trimester begins the 13th week of pregnancy lasts until the 28th week. You can start to feel the kicks and moves of your baby in the womb. It’s more obvious that you’re pregnant. You will probably need to get new clothes in larger sizes and wear looser items.
Happily, some of your first trimester symptoms such as morning sickness and extreme fatigue end in the second trimester, and you feel much better. Your body changes too much during the second trimester. You’ll experience new mood, skin, and body differences.
Growing Belly and Breasts: As your baby is growing, your womb will expand to make room for your baby, which will also cause your abdomen to grow. Your breasts will also be getting bigger during this period.
Skin Changes: Drastic hormonal changes may cause an increase in melanin cells in your skin during pregnancy. This form of hyperpigmentation is known as melasma which causes darkening of the skin on the face. It’s very important to always wear sunscreen to protect your skin from melasma. These dark spots will likely fade after pregnancy. However, you can use treatment, if they don’t go away after delivery. You may have a dark line down your abdomen called “linea nigra”.
Better Mood: You will finally feel much better than you did in the first trimester. Hooray! It’s also a great time for your baby-preps!
Third Trimester
The third (and the last) trimester begins the 28th week of pregnancy and lasts until you give birth. As your due date is getting closer, you may start to feel more physical (and emotional) pressure than in your previous trimesters. You may also realize that motherhood becomes more real.
Baby Grows Quicker: Your baby can grow from the size of a squash to the size of a watermelon in just two short months! Your baby also uses much of your calcium during this time. Just take things slowly and get enough nutrients through healthy nutrition and vitamin supplements.
Abdominal Achiness: As your belly gets bigger, you will feel more stomachache and back pain. It’s important to get rest and not to push yourself.
Braxton Hicks Contractions: If you experience irregular contractions, it means that your body is preparing for real labor. These irregular contractions are called Braxton Hicks Contractions which are named after the obstetrician Dr. John Braxton Hicks. If you don’t experience these contractions, it’s also normal. Not every pregnant woman is experiencing these fake contractions. Try to relax and drink some water to relieve the pain of Braxton Hicks contractions.
Postpartum
Finally, your baby is here! There are many changes that happen after birth.
Changes in Belly Size: If you had a normal birth, your belly will slowly start to decrease in size within the first 24 hours of delivery. This is the perfect time to start belly wrapping. Yamuna Latex Waist Trainer is designed to be worn immediately postpartum for a minimum of 6-10 weeks after delivery.
It will take approximately six weeks for your uterus to fully return to your pelvis. Breastfeeding your baby can also help with this process.
Before anything else, you should remember that every body is different. Don’t be stuck on the number on the scale. You just delivered a baby after carrying for 40 weeks, and that’s incredible! Please be easy on yourself!
Recovering after C-section: If you underwent a C-section to give birth, it might take you a while to recover from the operation. You may have soreness and be exhausted. Rest well, drink plenty of water, and support your belly with pillows if you breastfeed. It also can be helpful to use Yamuna Natural Bamboo Postpartum Breastfeeding Top to help reduce pressure and eliminate bacteria and odor. Once you've recovered from C-section delivery you can wear our Latex Waist Trainers.
Vitamin Levels: You feel fatigued most likely after giving birth because of vitamin deficiencies. Losing blood during delivery can lead to iron deficiencies. Additionally, you need to make sure you are maintaining sufficient amounts of vitamins A, C, D, and E, if you’re breastfeeding.
