Body changes when you have a new baby

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Why do I still look pregnant?

How you feel about your body after the birth

Skin pigmentation

Anaemia

Back pain

Vaginal changes

Perineal tears

Varicose veins

Stretch marks

Breast changes

Changes in foot size

Hair loss 

Dental problems

Postnatal symptoms you should never ignore

This page talks about common body changes and problems you may experience during the first few months after giving birth. We also have some information about body changes within the first 6 weeks after giving birth.

Why do I still look pregnant?

Most people’s bodies don’t return to their pre-pregnancy shape soon after giving birth. But you may be surprised if your stomach still looks around 6 months pregnant a month or so after your baby arrives.

This is because the womb (uterus), which has expanded slowly during pregnancy to make room for your growing baby, needs time to go back to its normal size. This can take around 6 to 8 weeks.  

The extra fluid that built up in your body during pregnancy will also gradually decrease, which will help reduce swelling and bloating.

Try not to compare yourself to anyone else, because everyone is different. Some women and birthing people may have gained more weight than others during pregnancy. Others may find it takes longer to recover.

Some people may feel proud that their post-baby body is a sign of all the hard work they’ve done to bring their child into the world. But if you’re struggling with negative feelings, you’re not alone. If you’re feeling low about your body – or anything else - you can always talk to your midwife or health visitor for support.

Diastasis recti (separated stomach muscles)

Diastasis recti is when the 2 muscles that run down the middle of your stomach separate during pregnancy. The amount of separation can vary.

It happens because your growing womb (uterus) pushes the muscles apart, making them longer and weaker. The muscles will usually go back to normal by the time your baby is 8 weeks old.

If the gap is still obvious after 8 weeks, contact your GP as this can cause back problems. They can refer you to a physiotherapist, who will give you some specific exercises to do.

Regular pelvic floor exercises can help to reduce the size of the separation between your stomach muscles. It's also important to stand up tall and be aware of your posture.

How you feel about your body after the birth

Everyone is different. You may have negative feelings about your post-baby body, or you may not worry about it much. Some people feel a sense of pride that their body has changed because of all the hard work of growing a human. There’s no right or wrong way to feel.

You may feel pressure to look like you’ve never had a baby, but the reality it’s completely normal for your body to change after giving birth.  

Doing some gentle exercises may help you feel better and increase your confidence. If you had a straightforward birth, you can start gentle exercise as soon as you feel up to it. This could include walking, gentle stretches or pelvic floor exercises.

If you or want to start any high-impact exercise, such as aerobics or running, it’s best to wait until after your 6-week postnatal check. And if you had a complicated delivery or a c-section, talk to your doctor or health visitor about the best time to start exercising again.

Whatever you do, try to focus on how you feel right now, rather than how you look. Your health and looking after your newborn baby is far more important. 

Skin pigmentation

You may have noticed some darker patches on your skin while you were pregnant. Skin pigmentation (melasma, sometimes also known as chloasma) may be due to hormonal changes in pregnancy. It’s not harmful, though it can make some people feel self-conscious.

Melasma is more common in women of East Asian, Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-African, Hispanic-American and Brazilian origin. It’s less common in fair or very dark skin.  

Skin pigmentation associated with pregnancy usually goes away by itself within a year. It may help to use high-factor sun cream to avoid sun exposure, which can sometimes make melasma worse.

Sometimes, skin pigmentation can be related to hormonal contraceptives (such as the pill). Talk to your GP if you have any concerns.

Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition that develops when you don’t have enough red blood cells. It’s often caused by pregnancy, and can leave you feeling extremely tired, faint and breathless.

Feeling tired is common after giving birth, but if you’re feeling very tired all the time you may have iron-deficiency anaemia. Other symptoms include being short of breath, paler skin, noticeable heartbeats (palpitations) and headaches. 

Talk to your midwife, GP or health visitor if you feel unwell. They can give you advice about your diet, or recommend iron supplements.

It may help to eat more iron-rich foods such as:

• dark-green leafy vegetables like watercress and curly kale
• cereals and bread with extra iron in them (fortified)
• meat
• dried fruit like apricots, prunes and raisins
• pulses (beans, peas and lentils). 

It’s safe to breastfeed if you have anaemia. You can also take vitamin supplements safely while breastfeeding, as long as you don’t take more than the recommended or prescribed dose. You can check this with your GP, midwife or health visitor.  

Anaemia can affect your milk supply. This can make breastfeeding difficult for some, but not everyone. If you have any concerns about breastfeeding, talk to your health visitor.  

Learn more about anaemia during and after pregnancy.

Back pain

Back pain is common during pregnancy. This is because the ligaments loosen up and stretch to get your body ready for labour and accommodate the growing baby, which puts strain on your joints. Also, the natural curve in your spine increases because it’s trying to cope with the extra weight of your baby bump. 

Back pain may continue for a while after you’ve had your baby. Labour and the physical demands of life as a new parent can also contribute to a bad back.

Some research suggests that postpartum back pain often eases within a year, although for some it may be long-lasting. Your back pain may be more likely to last if you’re overweight, have a history of back pain, or your back pain is very severe.

The NHS gives the following practical advice on relieving back ache:

• While feeding your baby, sit with your back well supported and straight. Put a small pillow or cushion behind your waist to support your lower back. Make sure your feet can reach the floor.
• Kneel or squat (do not bend your back) to do tasks that are near the floor, such as picking up toys or bathing your baby.
• Change a nappy on a raised surface. You could kneel on the floor next to a sofa or bed. Never leave your baby unattended on a raised surface, in case they fall off.
• Keep your back straight and bend your knees when lifting.
• Keep your back straight when you push your pram or buggy. Or, carry your baby in a well-fitting sling.

Back pain can also be a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI). As with any postnatal symptom, if your back pain is bothering you or affecting your daily life, talk to your GP or health visitor for advice. 

Vaginal changes

When you give birth vaginally, the entrance to the vagina stretches to let the baby out. This may leave your vagina feeling bruised and swollen. This is normal and should reduce after a few days.

Pelvic floor exercises are important to help tone the vaginal muscles and prevent leaking wee. However, your vagina  may not go back to its exact pre-birth shape.

You may also have some vaginal dryness. Some research has shown that this may be worse if you’re breastfeeding because this can affect your hormone levels. This should get better over time or when you stop breastfeeding.

Vaginal changes may affect your sex life (when you are physically and emotionally ready to start having sex again). Find out more about sex after pregnancy.

Perineal tears

Up to 9 in 10 first-time vaginal births involve some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy.  An episiotomy is when a doctor or midwife need to make a cut in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum) during childbirth. This makes the opening of the vagina a bit wider so the baby can come out more easily.

The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists says that these tears are usually minor and heal quickly, though they may feel sore for a few weeks. Some may require stitches and take longer to heal. 

Find out more about recovering from a perineal tear.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are veins that have become swollen. They may be blue or dark purple, and are often lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance. They can be uncomfortable but aren’t usually harmful.

You may have noticed that you developed varicose veins during pregnancy, but most women find that these improve a lot after their baby is born.

However, there are other things that cause varicose veins, such as genetics (if varicose veins run in your family) being overweight and being female.

Varicose veins are rarely a serious condition and they do not usually require treatment. But speak to a GP if they are causing any pain, discomfort or irritation.

Any red skin, swelling or tenderness in the leg may also be a sign of deep vein thrombosis. This needs immediate medical treatment. 

Find out more in your body after the birth.  

Stretch marks

If stretch marks developed on your skin during pregnancy, they won't go away completely after your baby is born. They may be pink, red, brown, black, silver or purple. But they should gradually fade over time and become much less noticeable. 

Breast changes

Research has shown that breasts can change in size and shape after pregnancy, whether you’re breastfeeding or formula feeding.  

Some people find that their nipples become a little darker during pregnancy, which may be permanent.

Changes to breast size and shape can be difficult, especially if you enjoyed having bigger boobs during pregnancy. But it’s natural for breasts to change at different stages of life. Get used to checking them regularly and be aware of anything that’s new or different for you.  Talk to your GP about any new or unusual changes.

If you are breastfeeding, you’ll likely be wearing nursing bras for now. But it may help to get measured – wearing a well-fitted bra can help make you feel comfortable and give you confidence.  

Changes in foot size

Many people get some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in the legs, ankles, fingers and feet. This swelling will ease after giving birth. However, you may find that your shoe size changes permanently after having a baby.

Some research has suggested that yes, pregnancy can increase the length and width of feet permanently.

This may be due to pregnancy weight gain, which puts stress on the feet and flattens the arch. Also, pregnancy hormones increase the looseness of the joints and ligaments, making the foot structure softer.

Hair loss

We usually shed around 50 to 100 hairs every day. Because of a change in hormones, you probably shed a lot less hair during your pregnancy. You may have noticed that your hair appeared thicker or fuller.  

After pregnancy, your hair will start to shed again. This means that a lot of the excess hair may begin to fall out. This is known as postpartum hair loss or ‘Telogen Effluvium’.

Research shows that this can happen around 2 to 4 months after childbirth. If this happens to you, you may notice it more along your hairline at the top of your forehead.

Postpartum hair loss is common, but it can be a bit of shock. It can also, understandably, affect some people’s self-confidence.  

Postpartum hair loss is temporary, so you should find that the hair grows back in time. Some research suggests the hair loss rarely continues beyond 15 months after having a baby.

There are lots of shampoos on the market that promise to help with postpartum hair loss. But there is not enough evidence to prove that they work.

There are other causes of temporary hair loss including stress, illness or iron deficiency. Speak to your GP if you have any concerns about your hair loss (for example, if your hair is coming out in clumps or if you have large bald patches).

Dental problems

Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make your gums more vulnerable to plaque, leading to inflammation and bleeding. If you had bad morning sickness, the acidity could have damaged your teeth.

Many people have dental problems after having a baby. It is very easy to put off going to the dentist after having a baby, but your dentist can help to treat gum disease and prevent further problems. Dental care is free for 1 year after your due date.

To get free dental care, you need to apply for a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx). Ask your doctor, nurse or midwife for form FW8.
 

Postnatal symptoms you should never ignore

Tell your GP, midwife or health visitor straight away if you experience any of the following symptoms soon after giving birth:

• pain, swelling or redness in one lower leg
• difficulty breathing or chest pain
• sudden or heavy blood loss
• feeling faint
• fast heartbeat
• high temperature
• tummy pain
• persistent or severe headache headache
• vision changes
• vomiting.

These could all be signs of medical conditions that need treatment, such as an infection, haemorrhage or pre-eclampsia. For more information, read all about your health after the birth.

Find out what to expect from your baby after the birth.