There still appears to be so much pressure on women to ‘bounce back’ after having a baby, I just think it’s crazy! It takes away the magnitude of what your body has just achieved. Growing and birthing a human is a big thing but it’s as if as soon as the birth is done you need to be back to pre-baby you within a few weeks.
I thought it might be useful to share my own experience, comparing my first which was before I became a trainer, with my second where I used all of my pre and postnatal knowledge.
For my first I was lucky enough to have a personal trainer during the pregnancy. I trained weights twice a week but did zero cardio because I had no idea what to do.
Once she was here and after I’d been signed off by the doctor, I had absolutely no idea where to start. I felt so lost but I really wanted to get back and lose the weight I had gained. It felt as though it really mattered. That people would think less of me if I didn't.
I found some free postnatal classes online but I just found them really dull! I did so many things I shouldn’t have done, I’m amazed I didn’t end up more injured; I had a trapped nerve in my shoulder which was definitely related to what I was doing. Honestly, it is THE MOST painful thing I’ve ever experienced! I have a high pain threshold but I nearly passed out trying to get ibuprofen. I'd rather give birth again.
Once I trained as a personal trainer, I started to gain some serious strength and fitness. I got myself to a point where I felt really happy and comfortable. We then decided to have another baby (and accidentally bought a massive renovation project 🤦♀️).
During my second pregnancy I put into practice everything I had learnt and experimented with cardio and weights so that it could inform my online programs. It was great, I knew EXACTLY what to do.
I worked out the entire time. I was able to keep my fitness very close to where it was before I fell pregnant. I found going about my everyday life to be pretty easy in the second trimester - I had awful nausea in the first and couldn’t drink water (had this first pregnancy too), it just made me want to throw up! Both of these made exercise difficult but I just did what felt good that day.
My recovery post birth was much slower as she broke my coccyx on her way out. I knew what I needed to do but couldn’t do it for 12 weeks. Which shouldn't really matter but I was keen to get moving again. As I had been consistent during my pregnancy, I didn't really gain any weight throughout, which meant I was more like pre-baby me quicker because I still felt that I had to look as though I hadn't just had a baby. WHY?????
The prevalence of the ‘bounce back’ pressure was evident when I went to an event with baby bean. Pretty much everyone commented on my weight. It was meant as a compliment but made me really feel the pressure to be ‘slim’. Almost as though my success as a Mother was tied to it.
It seems to be ingrained in society that we need to lose the ‘baby weight’ as soon as humanly (maybe not even that) possible and not to look as though we’ve ever had a baby.
My post 2 babies body is very different. My boobs are like deflated balloons and my tummy has lose, wrinkled skin but I literally don’t give a damn! In fact, I wear them with pride because they are signs of my achievement. I’ve literally just realised this when writing and I’m so amazed at myself! My girls are my greatest achievement and my body made that happen.
Anyway, my entire point to this is: you too might well feel the pressure to 'bounce back', it might even come from your own mind. You might feel uncomfortable in your post baby body. It might feel unfamiliar and alien.
I’m here to say that you can and will get to the same point as me where you're happy. It might not be tomorrow, next week or next year even but you WILL get there if you allow yourself.
If you’re feeling lost or unsure on how to exercise, please do drop me a note I’d love to help it whatever way works for you.
C xx
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