Congratulations dear mother on the arrival of your baby! Bringing forth your tiny bundle of joy can be a very memorable but overwhelming event; an experience not to be underestimated. From the very first moments of pregnancy to the last stages of labour through to delivery, your body has gone through some strain, and physiological changes and it will take some time for it to transit back to its non-pregnant state. Just as pregnancy and women differ, transitional phases are equally different too. The postpartum period may vary from several weeks to several months.
Within the first six weeks after delivery, your uterus returns to its normal size. Breastfeeding helps to achieve this faster, and you might feel uterine contractions/cramps as you nurse your baby.  One noticeable change as your uterus returns to normal is the gradual reduction of your abdomen.
Tips on postpartum recovery
If you experience vaginal numbness, you can have Sitz Baths. This procedure involves sitting in a warm bath or on a bucket with steaming water, at least thrice daily. Adding antiseptic to the warm bath/steaming water before sitting in/on the bucket helps as well. The soothing feeling of this practice not only helps relief the soreness in your perineum but makes healing a lot faster. Lying on your side rather than on your back will also give some comfort and aid perineal healing.
Postpartum is usually a time of excitement laced with phases of fatigue as your body recovers gradually from the tiring experience of pregnancy, labour, and eventually childbirth. Trying to get your body back into shape through vigorous exercise routines should be avoided till your doctor gives you the green light. You may feel you are up to it some weeks after birth, but it’s best to give your body all the rest it deserves before whipping it up again. There are a couple of light postnatal exercises that will get you moving and back on your feet in no time; however, it’s recommended to talk with your doctor/midwife before engaging in any.
Pelvic floor exercises are such exercises that can be done and without putting a strain on your postpartum recovery. It is a vital exercise technique recommended during pregnancy as well because of its ability to strengthen vagina and bladder muscles. Pelvic floor exercises engage the gently squeezing of the bladder tube or region around your vagina as if to stop the flow of urine, for about 10 – 15 seconds. This technique is so easy, and can be repeated over and over again. You can practise it anytime and anywhere; lying down, standing or sitting with at least 10 – 15 repetitions per session 4 – 5 times a day. You could also try them out while still sitting right there on the toilet bowl after urinating!
Maintaining a well nutritional diet which may come in small portions during postpartum is an essentiality for quick recovery. Healthy eating is certain to get you back into shape in no time, while also ensuring that your nursing baby gets the adequate nourishment it requires in his/her first weeks in life.
 

Cosmetic surgery is a type of medical procedure or operation that is aimed at improving a person’s appearance. Cosmetic surgery was at the onset popular only amongst the fashionable elites and celebrities; but recently, the general public is fast turning to the use of this constructive medical procedure as a means to enhance their looks, and of course give their self-esteem a boost.
Also referred to as aesthetic surgery, this medical process can be carried out on any part of the body. Cosmetic surgery incorporates a wide range of procedures. A few of the very common ones are liposuction (tummy tuck), breast augmentation (breast lifts/ enlargement/reduction), facial restructuring (lip enhancement, eyelid lift, eyebrow lift/reshaping, removal of wrinkles), cheek enhancement, ear reshaping; butt implants. Undergoing any or all of these medical reconstructions are ways people (especially women) attempt to give themselves the ideal image of their dreams.
Most female celebrities have successfully undergone several cosmetic surgeries in order to get a desired look, wade off the implications of aging, and in most cases get back their pre-baby look and shape effortlessly. However, as appealing and laudable as the effects of cosmetic surgery may seem, they are risk inclined and sometimes complications occur; one period in the life of a woman never to consider having this kind of surgery is during pregnancy.
Cosmetic surgery is a choice and doctors/surgeons strongly recommend against having these procedures during pregnancy. Breastfeeding mothers are also discouraged from such surgeries till at least 6 months postpartum. Reasons for this are that:
Most cosmetic surgeries involve general anaesthesia. This largely increases the risk of miscarriage if given within a pregnant woman’s 1st trimester.  
Everything a pregnant woman puts in her body or eats gets to her unborn child. Injections, medications and chemical fillers used during cosmetic surgeries equally gets to the foetus or newborn and can be very harmful.
The body goes through lots of metabolic and hormonal changes during pregnancy and often times, a woman’s immune system functionality is reduced. With this, there’s a high tendency for after-surgery infections which can be fatal.
Post-surgical medications are highly detrimental to foetal health and development.
Need I say more? Having a positive outlook to life and the desire to enhance your appearance is a real good one but if you are pregnant, your baby’s health is of utmost priority; feel good about yourself and the fact that you have a tiny human growing in you. So enjoy your pregnancy and wait till after your baby is born before indulging in any surgical makeover!
 

Moving maternity clothes to the furthermost section of the closet, and getting back into those skinny jeans and favourite outfits are some of the most common mentations that run through a woman’s mind the moment childbirth is done with and postpartum weight sets in.
If these are your sentiments, it’s utterly normal; the average woman loves to look good and getting off the extra weight gained during pregnancy is a thought in the right direction. The good news is, a fair percentage of your pregnancy weight is actually lost in the delivery room; your baby’s weight, the placenta, and the amniotic fluid are in totality about 4 – 6kgs and you are sure to feel lighter the moment your body is delivered of them.
Tips to lose your postpartum weight
To get started, you don’t have to push your body. Pregnancy and the toil of childbirth are stress periods for the human body therefore, adequate time and care must be given for proper recovery. Postpartum weight loss shouldn’t be your focal point within the first 6 – 8 weeks after childbirth. Let your baby have your attention this period thus allowing your body enough time to mend.
Healthy nourishment is required for your body’s healing, and of course for your new-born’s steady growth too. It is therefore crucial that you play it safe by indulging in good nutritious eating. Your diet, breastfeeding, ample sleep, and exercise are factors that facilitate effective results on your weight loss journey. Here are some hints to be mindful of:Breast milk is considered the most suitable food for your baby. It is also nature’s way of helping you shed pregnancy weight – as you breastfeed, hormones that work on shrinking the uterus to its pre-baby size are produced; your baby pouch inevitably diminishes as well. You should know that breastfeeding can amazingly get at least 450 – 500 calories off you daily.
Unlike carbs, low fat foods like protein and whole grains have high fibre content that will keep you feeling full for longer periods and also help your body burn more calories – eat more of them.
Keep healthy snacks around you; they will aid in your abstinence from junk. There are wide varieties of fruits and vegetables that will not only keep hunger away but also make up part of your daily recommended nutrients.
Drink lots of water! Surprised? Drinking plenty of water is healthy; apart from filling you up, conscious efforts to drink water will keep dehydration away. This is very effective because hydration, even at its mildest, slows down your metabolism by about 3% and if this happens, losing weight becomes an almost impossible feat.
No matter how eager you are to get back into shape, get the go-ahead from your doctor before hitting the gym. Long relaxed strolls first weeks postpartum and then brisk walking as you heal, can be effectual as healthy physical activities before your body is ready for regular workouts.

Losing sleep is normal as we try to meet up with the demands of the day and probably get a lot more done. As a career woman, mother and wife, the earliest time to bed for me on a busy day is midnight, to be up again before dawn. With this continued hustling and bustling, many of us have forgotten the feeling of being rested.
We have got just 24 hours in a day and with so much to be done, we want to make the most of it. Truthfully, this isn’t healthy at all. Sleeping is as vital to our body as eating. Sleep is restorative; thus a key part of a healthy lifestyle.
Adequate sleep ensures your ability to handle the day’s stress at work or at home. In reality, the quality of sleep you get directly affects your daily functioning. Sleep aids in the control of insulin and stress hormone Cortisol, thus giving the body the needed hormonal balance.
Good productivity, mental sharpness, emotional balance, creativity, rejuvenation, physical vitality, and even healthy weight maintenance are some of benefits derived from a good snooze. So you see, there’s so much to be enjoyed with just a little more sleep.
Contrary to popular belief, sleeping doesn’t mean the body or brain is shut off. Do you know that during sleep your body is working to support your brain function? While sleeping, the brain does biological repairs that keep your body at its best. Without regular sleep, you’re headed for a major mental or physical breakdown.
Lack of sleep may result in the following:

Fatigue, lethargy, and lack of motivation
Moodiness and irritability
Reduced creativity and problem-solving skills
Inability to cope with stress
Low libido and little interest in sex
Reduced immunity; frequent colds and infections
Concentration and memory problems
Weight gain
Impaired alertness, motor skills and increased risk of accidents and injuries
Difficulty making decisions
Increased risk of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, and several other health problems.

This may sound really outrageous but it is simple reality – to function at your best, at least seven hours of sleep per night is essential. Sleep requirements may vary slightly from person to person so you have to make an effort to enjoy quality snooze time to know the duration of hours that works for you.
Consciously indulge in a good night’s sleep, and then see your energy and efficiency increase. Sleep is essential for a long, healthy and productive life. You’ll not only perform more during the day but you’ll look a lot younger than when you were cutting down on your daily dose of beauty sleep…its called beauty sleep after all!
When next you are about to forfeit that restorative shut-eye for need to put in extra hours of work, STOP, have a rethink; don’t lose that sleep!

Being a mother can be such a very stressful job. If you are like many mums who wished they had more than 24 hours a day to get things done, then you will agree that fixing in your workout routine can even be a harder task. Why is this so? Well, this may be due to the fact that you might be too overwhelmed with some routine tasks, so that squeezing a workout spare time might be a no-no. But did you know that it is really important for you to actually steal some 10 minutes away just to work out?
 
Truth is that mums aren’t superhuman – they do deserve to be fit and that is why you have got to create time no matter how little to see that things are right within the body. These workouts can fit into your busy schedule and take up just 10 minutes of your time and you can be sure to look and feel refreshed aftewards.
 
1. The Chair Squats Workout
For this workout, you stand in front of a chair with your feet hip-distance apart, and toes forward. Then lean your chest slightly forward. Bend your knees and tap (do not sit) the bottom on chair, then stand up.  Be sure to keep your weight in your heels and do a set of ten.
 
2. The Spinal Twist
This is yet another easy workout that you can perform at home. Sit upright at the edge of a chair, feet on the ground, knees bent 90-degrees and your hands crossed at chest level. What is more, twist your upper torso as far as you can to the left, rotating from the waist and allowing your head and shoulders to move together as one unit. Hold for 15 seconds, then return to the start.
 
3. The Static Run
Here, you’ll be in one position and move your feet as if you were running on a track. You can increase your pace as you muster more strength and stamina. It is important that you do this on a hard floor so that you have enough room for balance. Count up to ten and then do a repeat as you go along.
 
4. The Freestyle Dance
If you haven’t been dancing as a form of workout, then you’re missing out on a lot. Did you know that one of the best form of workouts for mums is dancing? Well, if you didn’t know that, then it’s important that you learn a few moves to keep fit. And, guess what? You don’t need to have been a great dancer before starting. If you are a rookie, you can start by moving your whole body to your favourite high tempo songs in your home.
 
Indeed these workout routines can strengthen your cardiovascular muscles as you sweat it out. It is also known to aid the circulation of blood. Incorporate these exercises into your daily morning or bedtime routines and you would be amazed at the results.
 

You should definitely exercise when you are pregnant! Exercise improves your muscle tone, strength and endurance, which may make it easier for you to adapt to the changes that pregnancy brings. 
Regular exercise will:

Make getting back into shape after your baby is born easier.
Help you to carry the weight you gain in pregnancy.
Prepare you for the physical challenge of labour and birth.
Improve your mood and give you energy.
Help you to sleep better.

The following types of exercise are safe in pregnancy, though some may not be suitable for the last few months, and you may need to lessen the activity as your pregnancy progresses.
 
Walking 
Aim to walk for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week. So walk to the shops rather than drive, take the bus only part of the way, take the stairs instead of elevators.
Running
Running is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to work your heart and body, and you can vary the distance as your energy levels allow.
If running is new to you, pregnancy is probably not the time to start. It’s best to stick to more gentle exercise, such as walking or swimming.
 
Swimming
Swimming is an ideal, and safe, form of exercise in pregnancy. It exercises your arms and legs, and works your heart and lungs. The bigger your bump gets, the more you’ll enjoy feeling weightless in the water. 
It can help to ease back pain and swelling in your legs in late pregnancy.
 
Aerobics
It’s safe, as long as you keep the exercises low impact, to protect your joints. These days there are a lot of fitness trainers and experts who you could sign up with. 
 
Dance
Get your heart pumping by dancing to your favourite tunes in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Try not to leap, jump, twirl or change direction suddenly, as you may lose your balance.
Reasons to terminate exercise while pregnant
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop exercising and consult your physician just to be one the safe side.

Vaginal bleeding
Sudden shortness of breadth 
Dizziness or faintness
Headache or visual disturbance
Unexplained abdominal pain
Muscle weakness
Swelling of ankles, hands, or face
Swelling, pain, and redness in the calf of one leg
Preterm labour, persistent contractions
Decreased foetal movement
Amniotic fluid leakage
Elevated pulse or blood pressure persisting after exercise
Fatigue, palpitations, chest pain
Insufficient weight gain (