How You'll Look
During weeks two to six, your body will slowly start to return closer to prepregnant shape. Don't expect to have your prepregnancy body back by week three; this is a slow process. Still, chances are that you will start dropping weight, your figure will begin to reveal itself, and you'll begin to look more like your old self. The not-so-good news is that certain changes — like some loose skin on your belly or wider hips — may be here to stay.
Your Shape
Though your stomach will continue to shrink, you probably won't be back in your prepregnancy wardrobe yet. Many women find that they need to wear maternity clothes or larger sizes, with elastic-waist or drawstring pants, for weeks after they give birth. You may notice that the skin on your belly seems stretched out; it may even hang down when you stand or lie on your side. This is normal. Mothers' bodies rarely look like the airbrushed perfection seen on celebrity moms on the covers of magazines. Over time, your skin will tighten, stretch marks will fade, and your shape will begin to look more like it did before you got pregnant, but you may always carry changes as a reminder of your pregnancy.
Weight
You'll continue to lose weight as the excess fluids and fat your body stored during pregnancy are eliminated, but it's going to be a while before you're back to your prepregnancy weight. Keep in mind that during pregnancy your body may have changed permanently; you may look better at a slightly higher weight with your new structure and shape. For more information on postpartum weight loss, see Chapter 13.
Question How much weight should I lose in the first few weeks postpartum?
It's important for your health that you don't lose weight too quickly — after the initial drop, one or two pounds per week should be your maximum goal. Remember, it took you nine months to gain your pregnancy weight, and you should give yourself at least that long to take it off.
Breast Size
Now that your breasts aren't so engorged, they may be the same size they were prepregnancy, bigger, or even smaller. You'll probably continue to notice some changes over the next few months, especially if you start breastfeeding less or wean your baby, but this is a good time to get a few bras in the size you're currently wearing.
Posture
After a few weeks of nursing and holding an infant much of the day, many women begin to adopt some bad habits when it comes to posture. You may find that you're slouching or hunching your shoulders over, or that you overcompensate by becoming somewhat swaybacked. In Chapter 12, you'll learn about some exercises you can do to improve your postpartum posture.
