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Congratulations on delivering a beautiful baby! Now that the baby is here, the first change you might notice in your body is its shape. You might find that you still have a bulging belly even after delivery. Let us look at why this bulge hasn’t gone away and what can be done to tighten this loose skin.
Why Does the Skin Loosen After Childbirth?
Skin is the largest organ in the body. During pregnancy, many changes happen and you are likely to observe the kinds of varicose veins, spider veins, stretch marks (the most obvious) and the list goes on. The skin stretches to accommodate the growing baby during those nine months. Hence, it takes quite a lot of time and effort to get back to your original shape and tighten the loose skin after pregnancy.
What is a Pregnancy Pouch?
The abdominal muscles that are loose, along with the fat, the extra skin and relaxed pelvic guard give the belly a hanging look after pregnancy. This is also commonly referred to a pregnancy pouch.
How Much Time is Needed to Reduce Tummy After Pregnancy?
It will take a few months for the pregnancy pouch to go off and for some women, it never goes away completely.
Tips for Tightening Skin Post Pregnancy
- Increase water intake
Water hydrates the skin as well as makes it more elastic and therefore is an excellent way to keep the skin tight and healthy. It also helps in burning calories very efficiently.
- Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is recommended for up to 6 months of age. When a mother breastfeeds, the calories in the body gets used up for the production of milk and hence it helps in losing the extra weight. It has been seen that breastfeeding mothers lose weight faster than mothers who do not breastfeed.
- Protein consumption
Proteins help in muscle growth. They are not only good for muscle growth but also build collagen which is an essential part of the skin. The quantity of protein that needs to be consumed depends on the weight of the person, the physical activity, and the kind of exercise the person does. A healthy woman requires at least 50 grams of proteins per day.
- Exfoliate
A good way for stomach skin tightening after pregnancy is by using an exfoliating scrub on the belly while taking a shower. This increases the blood circulation in the area by increasing the blood flow. It also helps to create the new skin that is healthy and elastic.
- Lotions and Massage
Try using creams that have collagen, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A. These help the loose skin to become firm. After you apply the lotion, ensure that you massage the area well. Improved blood flow makes the skin look firm. You should use the lotion and massage at least twice a day.
- Strength Training
Strength training can be started once the body is used to regular exercise and only after the doctor gives the go-ahead for the same. During strength training, the muscles contract which helps to build the strength. At the same time, it improves the body composition and helps to reduce fat.
- Healthy Mind
When it looks like you are not able to lose the extra flab, it can be annoying and frustrating. At this time, make sure you remain calm and remind yourself that losing that extra flab takes time. Based on the body type, it may vary from person to person. Be patient with yourself and calm yourself by listening to music or doing some outdoor activity.
- Spa Wrap
The spa wrap helps the skin to become firm but it is temporary. The wraps detoxify and soften the skin along with tightening of the skin.
Recommended Exercises
Once the doctor gives the go-ahead for doing activities, it will be good to start exercising as it helps in strengthening the muscles and help to burn calories.
There is no way to reduce fat from a particular area in the body. To lose fat from one concentrated area of the body, the overall body fat needs to be burned. With your doctor’s consent, start doing cardiovascular exercises for 3-5 days a week for 20 minutes.
The other exercises include planks. Initially, start with doing two or three planks and try to hold them for 15 seconds. Slowly, as time progresses, increase the duration to 30 seconds. Doing one plank for 30 seconds is good for the core muscles in the body.
What to Avoid While Reducing Post-Pregnancy Belly Skin?
Perseverance is of utmost importance when you are striving to lose belly fat. You will not observe a change overnight, but consistency surely does pay off. Here are a few things you must keep in mind:
- Do not follow crash dieting; though it might look like you will lose weight sooner. The likelihood of the weight once you complete your crash diet is very high and therefore it isn’t a sustainable option. Also to enhance the elasticity of the skin, it is better to lose the weight gradually. Never starve yourself of food or give in to fad dieting.
- Avoid tanning beds as it can harm your skin and dry it out.
- Avoid using soaps that have sulphates as it can dry out the skin and hence irritate the skin.
Should You Consider Elective Surgery?
Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a way to remove the excess skin and to tighten the muscles. Always keep in mind that this is not an alternative to lose weight or exercise. Consult a doctor and talk about the options that are available and best suited for you.
Things to Remember
- If it takes more time for your skin to tighten, do not get disheartened. Remember that your body had nurtured a life inside it for 9 months. Also, losing weight differs from person to person because of different body types.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
Loosening of the skin is a common condition that happens after pregnancy. You can get back to shape healthily by following the above-mentioned tips.
