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Four week Post Partum update!

I was technically four weeks post partum on Wednesday, unfotunately Rafe did not think it appropriate to give me the time to write a blog post until now. 
It's strange to think it was over four weeks ago that I was in the throes of labour, cursing my partner and thanking God for the invention of the Epidural! I ended up having an assisted birth involving an episiotomy (ouch) and forceps (it's all on my labour and delivery story) and this is how I have found the recovery so far. This post may be a little TMI for some readers.

Unsurprisingly week one post partum was horrible...HORRIBLE! The stitches were so painful, I couldn't sit down unless it was on one of those travel neck pillows (resourceful) and I was taking constant painkillers for the entire week...and walking around like John Wayne. To make matters worse I had a bloody cold and I was completely exhausted. (I used the one night that I actually spent in hospital to sit and stare at my new baby...not wise I should have slept!) 
Luckily by week two and with the help of (diluted) tea tree oil and distilled witch hazel the stitches healed fairly quickly and with no infection. In hindsight I don't think I should have left hospital the day after giving birth and another night there with the help of experienced midwives probably would have been beneficial.

My uterus contracted really quickly and my stomach, although far from flat, is nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I have been breastfeeding and I think that has really helped, you can actually feel your uterus contracting as you feed in the first few days after birth.
I have barely had any bleeding post partum, potentially due to the fact that I lost 1.2litres during childbirth, I don't think my body felt it could afford to lose anymore. I was prescribed Ferrous Sulphate 200mg tablets from the hospital but I have to admit I only took them for a few days before switching to Floradix liquid which is a little gentler on the system and easier to absorb. It is also safe to take whilst breastfeeding.

I began exercising again two weeks post partum. I have not had a post natal checkup at the doctors and I am definitely not recommending that everyone starts working out this soon after having a baby. But I feel like a know my body well enough to know what it's capable of and I worked out before and during my pregnancy (up until the morning of the day my waters broke) so it is well used to it. I started using the 'Bodyfit by Amy' post natal workouts which can be found on YouTube. By three weeks post birth I was back doing my own workouts and incorperating slightly heavier weights and kettlebells but not pushing myself too much. I do think I have some mild diastasis recti so I am avoiding any crunches or conventional ab exercising and using workouts on YouTube specially designed to help repair this.

In terms of weight loss I weighed 123lbs when I actually got pregnant and by the end of the pregnancy I weighed 146lb so I gained 23lbs altogether. Week one post birth I weighed in at 132lb and I am now at 130lb. I have 7lb to go until I am back to my pre baby weight but because I want to focus my workouts more on toning and muscle gain I am not to worried about the number on the scale anymore. I think initially breastfeeding really helped me lose some weight and quickly BUT I also think it made me complacent. I tended to rely on it and ate a fair amount of junk and sweet treats over Christmas, which has meant I am no longer losing any pounds just maintaining. I am planning on starting to eat a lot cleaner and cutting out refined sugar in the coming weeks, more for general health and well being than weight loss.

Mentally week one was a struggle simply because of lack of sleep, hormones and having no idea what to do with my crying baby. Bursting into tears was commonplace and I felt like I had a very bad bout of PMT. I missed having a bump aswell. So weird. I spent nearly my entire pregnancy moaning about it and then when it was gone I actually missed feeling the kicks and hiccups.
I was feeling more like myself by week two but the lack of sleep can be very hard. Particuarly in the early days when you aren't used to it. With a newborn I find you have good days and nights and bad days and nights. Sometimes I can get the house clean, get a workout in and have a delicious (okay edible) meal prepared for Richard when he gets home from work...other days it gets to 4pm and I still haven't managed to shower let alone dust. 

I feel very lucky at how well my body seems to have healed and recovered. I think that a lot of this is down to the fact that I remained active in pregnancy and also ate really healthily. It did help that I completely went off anything sweet while pregnant and I craved thing like steak, tomatoes and mushrooms...oh and salt and vinegar pringles, but you have to have some treats. I am planning on embracing a bit more healthy eating next week and getting some workouts in where possible.
Your body goes through a hell of a lot to carry and give birth to a baby. I definitely think the focus after that should be a healthy recovery and giving yourself some much deserved TLC!

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