Getting your figure back in shape after having a baby is hard work. You have to find time to exercise and cook healthy meals, which can be especially difficult when you have a baby to care for. Plus, getting in shape after having a baby is much harder than under normal circumstances since pregnancy really does a number on those abdominal muscles. Recently, I was talking with my sister in law about getting back in shape and she asked me, “What’s the point? You’re just going to get pregnant [and ruin your stomach] again.” I think a lot of women share that sentiment. If you’re planning on having more kids, why not just have all the kids and then get back in shape?
Women tend to gain a certain amount of weight with each pregnancy that does not magically melt on its own. Some women will tell you they gained 10 pounds with each child and that is how they ended up becoming over weight. It doesn’t take an expert to tell you that it is much easier to lose 10 pounds than it is to lose 30 or more. That is just one reason to get back in shape after each pregnancy.
It is also easier to carry a baby when your body is in shape. Pregnancy really takes its toll on your joints and muscles. Having a strong core will help you support the added weight of the pregnancy, reduce your risk of injury, and aid you in “snapping back” after you have the baby.
One big reason to lose the baby weight and get in shape is it reduces your risk of complications during your next pregnancy. Being overweight has been found to increase your chances of having a super-sized baby and/or develop preeclampsia. Big babies put both the mother and the baby at risk for delivery complications. Large babies are difficult to deliver and the baby is at risk from complications such as shoulder dislocation.
Your health is not something to put off until you’ve had all your babies; it is something to be maintained throughout and between your pregnancies. Make an effort to lose excess weight and become physically fit; the benefits are extensive and you will never regret it.