Post pregnancy running blues

As I was running around the lake today, my thoughts took me to how, three years after last being pregnant, the consequences of that are still very much there. It is amazing how severe the toll of pregnancy is on your body. The thing is, I have five kids and I was pregnant four times. All those pregnancies were really close together. I was basically growing and delivering babies, putting them to bed, changing diapers and feeding them continuously for six years in a row. They are a bit older now and better able to look after themselves and as a result I can do much more. When I started exercising, my post pregnancy body was in a mess and I was later confronted with how much that influenced my ability to run.

As unprepared as can be

I knew that pregnancy would change my body, but I did not know that I would still notice that so long after. Actually, nobody really told me what happens after you deliver a baby. It is all about the size of the baby in your stomach, what you will feel when during pregnancy and how to time your contractions. Here in Serbia, they do not even send you to prenatal classes. The answer to my questions about the delivery was always: “Don’t you worry. All you have to do is show up here when your labour starts and we will look after you.” So, I knew exactly in which week of the pregnancy my baby was the size of an aubergine or when it would start kicking my cervix, but nothing about labour and the recovery.

Ignorance is bliss?

Everything turned out fine, of course, and I survived. I do not think that knowing the details about labour would have made it any easier, probably not. It is such a natural and almost intuitive thing to happen that you just go with it. What I would have liked though, is some more preparation for the destruction that follows. Because, no matter what anyone else says, your body will never be the same again.

Exercising after pregnancy

One of the results of being pregnant is that you are faced with a variety of embarrassing problems that you were possibly not prepared for. Some of them you did not realise you had, until you start exercising.

1.      A few extra kilos

Every woman gains weight during pregnancy; that is a normal and healthy thing to happen. Some lucky women, I am not one of them, lose that weight in weeks after the delivery. Most of us are faced with at least ten extra kilos we do not seem able to shift. Because of those kilos, I did not start running straight away and decided to exercises at home first. Whenever I was jumping, it would feel like all the skin and fat that was still on my belly, back, bum, legs and arms was wobbling around with me like jelly on a plate. This was not only uncomfortable, but also really embarrassing. The world was not ready for that. I waited until my body was firmer and lighter before putting on my running shoes for the first time.

2.      Issues down there

Another embarrassing fact I was not told about is to do with your nether regions. I suppose pushing a baby out of there would need to have an effect, but I did not expect incontinence would be one of them. I cannot go out running without wearing a pad, because I basically pee myself continuously. It is like filter coffee dripping slowly but consistently into the pot and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Apart from peeing, the number twos also regularly make an appearance. It is all weaker and looser down there, no matter how many Kegels you do. Mothers, forget running in kaki or other light coloured trendy active wear. From now on black is your only hope.

3.      Be ready to start from scratch

The months and sometimes years of sleep deprivation, lack of energy and continuously taking care of a baby are devastating for fitness levels. I had to completely start from scratch again. By the time I made my resolutions to get fit and healthy, I was smoking and drinking every night to deal with the mental stress of being responsible for five little children. Apart from that I am a writer, so I have a desk job at home. My lifestyle was pretty sedentary. Maybe my case is a bit extreme, but many mothers will not be as fit as they used to be and have to start from scratch. Be prepared for months of muscle aches, getting out of breath and a lack of endurance. It takes strong willpower to keep going and get to the level where exercising becomes fun again.

4.      Never enough hours in a day

People always say: “Let the kids fit into your life, do not adjust your life to theirs.” As much as I would like that to be true, reality is different. And as a result, you sacrifice part of the freedom you used to have to strict routines, housework responsibilities, day care runs and afternoon activities. On top of that, you have your own job to uphold and maintain. Finding the time for exercise has proven extremely difficult for me. So difficult, that getting up before everyone else seems to be the best moment to do it. That is also completely unrealistic because I would have to start running at 5.30. My advice would be: get out when you can, because you never know when your next chance will be.

It is not all bad

Luckily it is not all bad and every mother can get back to more or less normal after having a baby. And there is not much that is more rewarding than growing and bringing a new life to this earth. As long as there are pads, YouTube exercise videos and black leggings, we are fine. There is a solution for everything and if you have the willpower to go out, get sweaty and enjoy being away, you can find an hour here and there to do so. If I can do it, everyone can!

I am currently running for a good cause. Together with a friend who lives in Glasgow we are trying to run the distance between our houses, which is 2450 kilometres. At the same time, we are collecting money for CALM, a movement against suicide. Please check out our Facebook page and if you like what we do, please donate whatever you can spare.