| Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett have | | | | mentally. It is not focusing on the negative, but |
| unveiled post-baby bodies in the past that have | | | | preparing yourself for what might happen." |
| surprised women worldwide. | | | | Surprising for Amy, it was the psychological impact of |
| Squeezing back into your favourite little black dress so | | | | childbirth that was most challenging. "Physically, I |
| soon after childbirth may not be a realistic option for | | | | recovered well and my postnatal program was |
| new mums who don't have the luxury and expertise | | | | instrumental in that smooth recovery. I was very |
| of a full-time dietician, nanny and personal trainer, on | | | | healthy and fit before I gave birth too, doing yoga |
| hand, 24/7. Especially, if you are a more mature new | | | | exercises each day and I think this helped." |
| mum, being part of the strong, modern trend of having | | | | For a new mum, a feeling of isolation is inevitable. "The |
| kids later in life. | | | | most important thing is knowing that someone is |
| New mums, at any age, are often overwhelmed with | | | | looking out for you and you are not on your own," |
| their changed body shape and extra baby weight. | | | | says 32 year old Amy. "The problem is that if you do |
| According to fitness expert Angela Houseman, the | | | | gain a lot of weight and you don't bounce back easily, |
| average woman should not use celebrities as role | | | | you are stuck at home and can't get out to do any |
| models. "It's inevitable that women will envy superstars | | | | exercise. Then your weight gain can start to spiral. I |
| who go from being 9 months pregnant to a size 6 | | | | think how fit and healthy you are before the baby |
| overnight," said Ms Houseman. | | | | comes has a lot to do with it." |
| Angela Houseman has had two children and | | | | Weightwatchers Australia recommends that you gain |
| understands the pressures that are placed on women | | | | between 11-16 kilos during your pregnancy and advises |
| who have just given birth. "When I had both my | | | | that too much weight gain affects your ability to |
| children, I suffered envy when I read magazines of | | | | bounce back after birth. "On average, after the birthing |
| celebrity mums who had given birth and looked terrific. | | | | process it is around .5 to 3 kilos that women struggle |
| But the reality is, the average person does not have a | | | | to lose, although some hold on to a lot more weight. |
| host of staff to help out with everyday living." | | | | Coming into pregnancy with excess weight and gaining |
| According to Embracing Motherhood, an organisation | | | | a lot of weight during pregnancy can make it harder to |
| that supports mums after giving birth, most new mums | | | | lose weight afterwards." Weightwatchers suggest that |
| will go through dramatic changes both emotionally and | | | | achieving a healthy pre-pregnancy weight, not gaining |
| physically before, during and after the birth process. | | | | too much weight during pregnancy, making wise food |
| The more mums look after themselves, the greater | | | | choices and getting plenty of exercise in the months |
| their chances of a recovery in both areas. | | | | following delivery, are all useful strategies for |
| It is the norm in our culture for the attention to move | | | | maintaining a healthy weight throughout the |
| away from the mum and onto the new born baby | | | | child-bearing years." |
| after childbirth, often to the detriment of the mum. In | | | | "If you put in the effort, you will see your post baby |
| traditional cultures within Asia, South America, the | | | | body start to take shape again," says personal trainer |
| Middle East and India there is recognition that mums will | | | | Adriana Solorzano from Optimum Personal Training. |
| need a longer period of time to rest and recover after | | | | "Much of the recovery process is tied in with the |
| childbirth. This can be anywhere from a few weeks up | | | | mum's body type and her level of fitness and health |
| to a few months for their rest and recovery. | | | | during the pregnancy. If you've really embraced the |
| "A woman's body can take as long to recover as it | | | | 'eating for two' concept, it is likely you have developed |
| does to make a baby: but in particular, the six week | | | | some bad eating habits during your pregnancy. Many |
| postnatal period is extremely important for supporting | | | | mums think the weight will fall off but bad eating habits |
| new mums back to health," says Ms Flack from | | | | will make it hard to lose weight, especially when you |
| Embracing Motherhood. "Women who give birth go | | | | are at home with your baby and are unable to get out |
| through a complete physical and emotional change and | | | | and exercise. The isolation and uncertainty can make |
| require enormous support during the postnatal period. | | | | new mums comfort eat too. When I get new mums to |
| Unfortunately, often society does not acknowledge this | | | | keep a food diary, they are often shocked by how |
| need." | | | | much their eating habits have changed." |
| Six facts for new mums:o Up to 20% of women have | | | | Physically and mentally new mums need to allow |
| postnatal weight retention.o Up to 76% of new mums | | | | themselves time to recover and adjust after giving |
| report ongoing fatigue in the postnatal period. Fatigue is | | | | birth. It's important to remember that YOU are just as |
| a major contributor to depression.o At least 15% of | | | | important in the post birth recovery process, as your |
| Australian mums suffer Postnatal Depression.o 83% of | | | | precious new baby. There is plenty of support |
| new mums initiate breastfeeding and less than 18% of | | | | available here in Brisbane so spend some time |
| mums continue to breastfeed after 6 months.o | | | | researching and tapping into this before your baby |
| Approximately 50% of new mums report ongoing | | | | arrives. A happy and healthy mum will be the best |
| backache.o More than 40% of women have | | | | carer of a new born. |
| caesareans leading to longer recovery times. | | | | 'Me time' for Mums in Brisbane: |
| Amy Hopes, wife of Grinspoon drummer Kristian, | | | | Spas: Mummabubba beauty spa in Windsor allows |
| recently undertook the 30 day postnatal recovery | | | | mums to have some serious pampering time while |
| program with Embracing Motherhood, after giving birth | | | | their baby is being minded. |
| to her first child in September last year. The aim of the | | | | Coffee Break: There is an increasing number of |
| postnatal recovery program is to support mums in | | | | child-friendly cafes, such as Cafe Mama at Windsor |
| getting their body and mind back to a full recovery. | | | | and Breathing Space at Kenmore, combining the much |
| Amy feels her inexperience is typical of most first time | | | | deserved coffee break or lunch experience with |
| mums. "I had the perfect pregnancy and presumed I | | | | childminding in a 'kid friendly' atmosphere, so mums can |
| would have the perfect birth. But I was in for a big | | | | relax. |
| shock. I had a terrible, gruelling 36 hour labour. In the | | | | Movies: 'Babes in arms' has become very popular in |
| end, the doctors had to break my waters and use | | | | Brisbane for mums still wanting to be able to go to the |
| suction to get the baby out. I was very traumatised by | | | | movies and enjoy some relaxing time without having |
| it and can really only now, after 4 months, start to | | | | to worry about disrupting other movie goers. In |
| re-live it in my mind." | | | | Brisbane, Babes in Arms sessions are run regularly at |
| Amy found it shocking that professionals encouraged | | | | Palace Centro in The Valley, Palace Barracks at |
| her not to talk about her traumatic birth, suggesting that | | | | Paddington, Birch Carol and Coyle Cinemas Carindale, |
| she would upset other first time mums. "When I went | | | | Chermside, Garden City, George Street and |
| to see the midwife I burst into tears, I was so | | | | Loganholme. |
| overwhelmed. The midwife said, "Don't tell other mums, | | | | Gyms: Most gyms in Brisbane now offer childcare |
| you'll only put them off," which was completely | | | | facilities, so check your local gym or find one close by |
| shocking to me. I think mums really need to know and | | | | that offers this. |
| understand what can happen both physically and | | | | |