Reaching the sixth week post partum milestone is kind of monumental. Once this stage is reached, it seems that a new chapter of life begins. Transitions are numerous during this week and I found myself almost amazed of how many things changed during my sixth week post partum.
At six weeks post partum I transitioned back into many of my pre-pregnancy clothes marking the beginning of a much anticipated physical change as my body really starts to work its way back to “normal.” Although the journey has just begun (my body still has a long way to go), I am very excited to discover that more of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe fits. I was hoping that I would be completely back to normal at six weeks but as my midwife reminded my at my six week and final visit, it took nine months for my body to get to this point and it will take time (nine months even) to get my pre-pregnancy body back; hopefully sooner though. At this point I have been working out almost daily for three weeks and I have already noticed that my stomach is flatter especially when I engage my abdominal muscles. While I feel more fit, I am also very aware of the extra body fat on my stomach and thighs. I am trying not to be too hard on myself … sometimes I set my expectations too high.
At the six week mark, my daughter seems less fragile. She was put on a good bit of weight and is developing the first show of fat rolls on her thighs (if only fatty thighs were a positive thing for adults!). She has become a real professional nurser and does not need as much help latching on any more unless she is really frantic. With her baptism this week, she has also entered into a new state of being as an official member of the Christian community. Also this week, I transitioned her out of her newborn sized clothes into the next larger size.