Weight Loss After Birth

The following weight loss is a guide to how much you should lose in the first few weeks after giving birth. There may be maternal fat that is stored on your body for a while- and this will be longer if you are breastfeeding (our bodies hold onto that fat to ensure that there is enough energy to produce nutritious milk).

Your body shape will be different too - but with the correct regular exercise - this will all go back into place!

Weight distribution for pregnancy:
The average baby weighs 7,5lbs
The placenta 1,5lbs
Increase in fluid volume 4lbs
Increase in weight of uterus 2lbs
Increase in weight of breast 2lbs
Increase in blood volume 4lbs
Maternal stores of nutrients (fat) 7lbs
Amniotic fluids 2lbs

This totals 30lbs but you will not lose everything immediatley after the birth. Your body needs time to adjust and you will still have quite a bit of excess fluid. So be patient!

Bear in mind that the breasts will be larger and heavier while breastfeeding and the maternal stores of nutrients will take at least 3 months to subside (or more if you are not eating well and exercising regularly).