Preparing for Parenthood: 10 Ways Your Body Will Change After Giving Birth

Everyone says that becoming a mother is a life-changing event. This is the case. There is no other time that a woman will grow an entirely new organ, force their heart to pump as much as 50 percent more blood than usual, and have "alien" cells hijack their bran, leading to a condition fondly called "mom’s brain."

While most of these changes will fade after giving birth, some of them will stick around. While it is possible to change the physical side effects of giving birth by scheduling a mommy makeover free consultation, there are other things that may not be as easy to get rid of. Keep reading to learn more about the biggest changes a woman will experience after giving birth.

1. Shoe Size

There are two main reasons a woman may experience a change in shoe size. One reason is hormones and the other is weight gain. Sometimes this will return to normal, but this isn't guaranteed.

2. Extra Weight

There are some women who are never able to shed those additional pounds, either. In fact, it's estimated that one out of every four women will keep 11 pounds or more of the weight they put on a year after they have given birth.

3. Vaginal Changes

Postpartum, a woman's vagina will contract down to almost the pre-birth weight, but it will remain slightly wider. There are several factors that impact how big it gets, including the baby's size, if the woman was overweight and genes.

4. Urination Issues

While not every mom is going to experience this, there are some who have an increased risk of incontinence. Vaginal delivery may weaken the muscles needed for bladder control, which can result in leakage issues.

5. Tooth Loss

The more children a woman has, the more likely she is to lose a tooth. In fact, women who have more than four children lose up to seven teeth on average.

6. Shrinking or Growing Breasts

A woman's breasts go through many changes before and during pregnancy. After having a baby and after breastfeeding is over, the breast will shrink. Sometimes it becomes smaller than pre-pregnancy size.

7. Sagging Breasts

This is not a very pleasant part of having a baby. The official name for this is ptosis. Once a breast begins to droop, it won't ever become perky again.

8. Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer

Breastfeeding can reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. For every 12 months, a baby is nursed, the risk for cancer drops by up to four percent.

9. Stretch Marks

Some women will develop red or pink stretch marks on their skin while they are pregnant. These may or may not go away, so just be aware of this common problem.

10. Hair Growth

Many women notice their hair is thicker and lusher while they are pregnant. This is because there are increased levels of hormones pulsing through their body.

When it comes to the after-effects of pregnancy, it's important to note that they may not all be great or exciting; however, most women are okay with this. After all, they have earned something so much better than the issues that may arise. They have a small human to love unconditionally, which means the impact of pregnancy is well-worth it.