Having a baby changes your body. Some things may never be quite the same again, but other changes don’t need to be permanent.
You can tighten your tummy with exercise, for example, and any weight you’ve gained will gradually drop off if you eat healthily and exercise.
It won’t happen overnight. It took nine months to make a baby, and it could take at least that long to get back into shape again.
Some women have physical problems after having a baby. These can be related to pregnancy or birth, or because of the things you do while caring for young children, such as lifting and bending.
For some problems, you can do a lot to help yourself. For example, if you’re experiencing a leaky bladder (incontinence) or a heavy feeling in your perineum (the area between your vagina and anus), you may need to strengthen the muscles around your bladder, vagina and anus with pelvic floor exercises.
Back pain can often be helped by exercise and learning to look after your back, too.
If something’s bothering you, don’t hesitate to ask your GP or health visitor for help at any time. They can advise you and refer you to a specialist if necessary.