A Postpartum Update
I shared two postpartum updates after I had Mabel and they seem to have mysteriously disappeared from my archives. I legitimately have no idea what happened to them, but I wish they hadn’t gone into the black hole of the internet because I really would have liked to compare things this time around! Ah, oh well.
I am now officially 7, almost 8 weeks past having baby number three.
I had my 6 week checkup a week ago and everything checked out perfectly (I have a “small uterus” again, she said) and I’m all cleared for everything. Which, maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to tell the story of how things DIDN’T check out perfectly after I had Abigail, so let’s just say, this was a big relief for me.
So, first up, let’s talk about that weight situation.
I started out this pregnancy at 140 lbs and ended it somewhere around 175(on a good day). I currently weigh 155 lbs, which means I’ve lost 20 lbs so far (woohoo!) but still have about 20 more to go(booo).
I can honestly say though, that my perspective and my self image has been light years better than it was during my pregnancy, and far, far better than it was either time after the girls.
Part of it is the old, “wow! I’m SO much smaller than I was!” phenomena that comes from suddenly losing a massive bowling ball of a stomach. Part of it is, I have lost it twice before, and I’m confident that I will(eventually) again. But, another part of it is, I just don’t have it in me to care as much this time around.
I fully intend to work to lose those 20 lbs, I don’t want to stay where I currently am. But I’m also not in a frantic rush to do it either. God bless it for being fall, where I can wear loose sweaters and coats and tops and no one will be any the wiser, but I truly plan to just breastfeed(always my number number number one priority) and then gently add some more activity into my days. We have an elliptical machine in our basement now, so I hope to get some TV catching up time while I use it.
After Mabel, we had a beach vacation coming up, so I did My Fitness Pal religiously and did the entire 30 day shred as soon as I got the all clear to work out again. And I definitely was beach ready by the time we went- but I look back at that time, and the afternoons that I worked out during nap instead of holding my tiny baby- and the calories I counted instead of just making simple, healthy choices- and I don’t wish that for myself now.
I’m choosing to be okay with it taking me a year to lose the weight, instead of crushing it all off in a few weeks. That’s just where I’m at right now.
As far as other postpartum stuff goes, I bled for the FULL six weeks. My bleeding was never heavy, so I thought I wouldn’t bleed as long- but turns out it was the opposite. I bled longer than I ever have, but never heavily.
Night sweats. OH MY GOSH THE NIGHT SWEATS. Also, lasted a FULL six weeks.
Thankfully, my emotions never really changed. I have felt pretty much the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow as I always have. I’m grateful for that.
My hair hasn’t started falling out yet- but it started with both girls around the six month mark- and my period came back exactly at nine months with each of them as well. So, I guess we’ll see how things compare this time around!
So, anyway. This is me, still recovering from giving birth to my third little love. Attempting to give myself heaps of grace, loads of coffee, and refusing to set my baby down for one more second than I have to. Because he’s worth far, far more than a few extra pounds to me right now. (he has already outgrown those jammies! sob!)
And, as I’ve mentioned before, this transition and change has been our easiest one yet. And that has been true of my postpartum recovery as well. I’ve known when to rest, take it easy, ask for help, and just enjoy my baby boy. This has been the best recovery for me of the three and I know most of it has to do with that.
So here’s to the fourth trimester- where I’ve finally figured out that it’s best to rest, be more than thankful for what my body has done(and is still currently doing!), and not worrying much about anything else.
Glad to hear you’re recovering well! Love your attitude about the weight. I was that way with mine and though it took a while to come off, it usually did. Enjoy those baby snuggles!
So glad this transition has gone well for you. Although I only have one little one I was in no rush to lose the weight. I just felt like all of my prior priorities were no longer the same once baby came along. You look fantastic!
Yay for 2nd & 3rd babies! If nothing else they make you realize the other things can wait! As far as the hair thing, my hair straight up left my head after my second, like bald on my temples and about 2 inches back. It was awful. I (DO NOT SELL IT) found Monat online recently (she’s 3 now, been bald for 3 years) and ordered the Intensive Repair Treatment shampoo and some spray that came with it directly off their website and I’m not even kidding my hair grew back. I’ve only used it for 2 month so far and its like 6 inches where there was just fuzz. SO! It’s expensive but to be able to put my hair in a pony tail and not worry about showing my bald was worth it! Sorry for the novel, just thought I’d share!
I smiled my way through this whole post! You’re doing great and your documentation of this time in your life radiates HAPPINESS. Congratulations!!
Yes for giving yourself grace and just letting yourself enjoy the newborn phase of it all. Good for you! I can’t believe it’s been 7 weeks already!
Thanks for being open about the not so pretty side of recovering… aka the bleeding. A lot of times I feel like no one discusses that, and I personally bled the first 6 weeks (my son was born 9/9!) I thought things were wrong because I stopped earlier with my daughter, no one else said it lasted that long, would google and basically felt like it was just me (despite knowing full on that it could be that long). Hopefully some new Mom will read this who is going through it and find peace!
you look amazing!!! and oh those babies are so worth it in the end, aren’t they. also, your emotions didn’t change… i envy thaaaaat! even after stopping breastfeeding my emotions go crazy. ahhh.
Yes to all of this. I know we’ve talked about it before but this time around everything just feels more relaxed and less pressure- just the way I like it!
Amen! While part of me would love to hit the gym, I don’t want to miss out on that baby time either. I’ve got about 10 lbs sticking around, so I’m just hoping to maintain through the holidays and then hope it comes off in the spring.
You look amazing!!
And, I LOVE the extra grace you’re giving yourself. Totally wish I’d done even a fraction of that with both my babes.
Enjoy those snuggles!!
you’re doing so great, mama and love that you are documenting this time!