Photo © 2012 Brian Adams
This Tummy Tuesdays post is one that is visually not much different than postpartum weeks 5,4, and 3, but mentally, I can say that I am now determined more than ever to work a bit harder on toning the tummy in the weeks to come. At last week's 5-week postpartum visit, the capstone in the prenatal and post-pregnancy visits, my midwife, while examining my midsection, looked me in the eye and said, "I know that you stay active, but you need to be focusing on abdominal and core work now. I can still fit two fingers between your ab muscles."
That's right, ladies. When you have a baby, your muscles separate to accommodate your growing belly, and after delivery, the abdominal muscles work their way back together with time and exercise. I knew that it would take a while for this to happen, but after my midwife's loving scolding, I have been regimented in doing yoga and pilates at least once a day on top of my daily walks and occasional runs. I love yoga, and I especially love that Brian does it with me, so it's just fine to have some medical motivation on my side. This tummy will be a strong one again someday!
Another postpartum tidbit that you might find interesting pertains to the uterus. Immediately before Elliott was born, my uterus was a balloon at 42 centimeters, but now my uterus is already back down to under 5 centimeters, which apparently is itty-bitty. I had scheduled to have a Mirena IUD inserted at my postpartum visit last week, but I was unable to do so because apparently 6 centimeters is generally the smallest size that will accommodate an IUD. (7 centimeters is average.) So, as a close friend of mine put it, my uterus was able to house an 8.6lb baby but not an IUD. Bodies!
See how far the bump has come in 6 weeks:
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