How Long Does It Take For Your Bump to Go Down After Childbirth

In this condition, the muscles that run along the midline separate to create space for the baby. The connective tissue becomes thin and weak and stretches sideways, leading to wider hips and a bulging belly. After childbirth, the distended uterus takes about six to eight weeks to shrink back to its initial, normal size, and the abdominal muscles about the same time to come back to their original tone.

[Read: How Does The Uterus Change During the 3 Trimesters of Pregnancy]

How Much of the Bump Will Remain After Childbirth?

This depends on your age and fitness regime, your pre-pregnancy weight, the amount of weight gained during pregnancy, the method of delivery, and your method of nursing.

Age and fitness levels play a vital role in shedding post-pregnancy weight and losing the bump. Exercises such as crunches that put pressure on the midline, can cause low-level separation of abdominal muscles, eventually leading to diastasis recti, and a bulging belly. Hence, exercising right – before, during, and after pregnancy – under supervision – is an important factor in losing the bump after childbirth.

The Institute of Medicine recommends gaining 25-30 pounds during pregnancy if you belong to the average weight bracket. This is a healthy range of weight to gain from the perspective of the mother’s nutrition and the baby’s development.

Women who have a C-section can take a little longer to lose the belly fat gained from ‘eating for two during pregnancy, as compared to those who have a normal vaginal delivery. Breastfeeding mothers typically burn 300-500 calories a day. To produce milk, the body requires energy in the form of calories.

Hence, breastfeeding mothers are often asked to consume a few hundred extra calories every day. These calories burn down rather when you are nursing the baby. Breastfeeding releases hormones that signal the uterus to shrink faster.

How Long Does it Take Your Bump to go Down After Childbirth?

This again depends on several factors. The duration ranges from a few weeks to several months.

1. Immediately After Birth Up to One Week Later

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that new mothers lose up to 12 pounds of weight immediately after giving birth, which comprises the baby, blood, placenta, and amniotic fluid. Also, an IV or an epidural could lead you to lose more fluids while you pass urine up to one-week post-childbirth. The cells in your body that swelled during pregnancy also release all the extra fluid in the form of vaginal secretions and sweat during this period.

2. Up to Two Months

As per the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a new mom could easily lose up to 20 pounds of weight in a month post-childbirth. Thus, the 25-30 pounds gained during pregnancy can be lost within two months post-delivery.

3. Six Weeks to a Couple of Months Later

It takes about six to eight weeks for the uterus to return to the pelvis, leading to a flatter and smaller-looking bump or pregnancy pouch. In a couple of months, you should be able to shed most of the extra weight.

4. Up to Nine Months

While it takes nine months for the baby to develop in the uterus, it takes a woman nine months to heal completely.

Effective Ways to Lose The Bump After Childbirth

Following are some effective ways to lose a pregnancy bump after childbirth.

1. Eat Right

As a new mother, you must consume whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and lots of water to ensure the intake of mandated vitamins and minerals. Eating right will not only expedite the postpartum healing process but will also ensure good health.

2. Exercise

A balance between the right form and the amount of exercise will help you lose the extra pounds. Walking, jogging, slow running, and swimming will help reduce the belly. On a lighter note, you can measure your waist and hip using a measuring tape while you try to lose weight on your belly. The loss in inches is a bigger indicator of how soon you will fit into your pre-pregnancy pair of jeans rather than the pounds on the weighing scale.

Every woman loses her postpartum weight at her own pace, depending on her motivation level and the actual time she gets to devote to a fitness regime. While some women may get rid of the pregnancy pooch as early as three months after childbirth, some may never lose it completely. Always remember that you gave birth / will be giving birth to a tiny human and that you are a star regardless of your body structure, size and appearance!