EBN- After a cesarean section, many mothers have difficulty regaining their normal weight. Weight gain after this surgery is common due to several factors related to hormonal changes, restrictions on movement, and changing eating habits.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the causes of weight gain after a cesarean section and ways to deal with it, focusing on scientific aspects and practical advice.
1. Hormonal changes and their effect on weight
During pregnancy, the body’s hormonal balance changes dramatically, and these changes persist after childbirth. For example, estrogen, which plays a major role in regulating metabolism, drops dramatically after childbirth, slowing down fat burning. This change makes weight loss more challenging after a cesarean section.
In addition, the level of prolactin, the hormone responsible for stimulating milk production, increases. Despite its many benefits in supporting breastfeeding, it leads to an increase in appetite, which may cause eating larger quantities of food than usual. This increased appetite often translates into an increase in the intake of foods rich in calories and fat, which leads to weight gain.
2. Lack of physical activity after surgery
A cesarean section requires a longer recovery period than a normal one.Natural birthAfter the operation, the mother is advised to avoid strenuous physical activities for 6 to 8 weeks until the wounds heal completely. This decrease in physical activity leads to the accumulation of fat in the body due to the body’s inability to burn calories as efficiently as usual.
This factor is considered one of the main reasons for weight gain after a cesarean section. Lack of movement and sitting for long periods, especially when caring for a newborn, slows down the metabolism and reduces fat burning.
3. Stress, lack of sleep, and weight gain after a cesarean section
After a cesarean delivery, mothers face new challenges such as nighttime awakenings to care for their baby, frequent breastfeeding, and the stress of motherhood. All of these factors increase levels of the hormone cortisol , which is known to be linked to weight gain, especially in the abdominal area.
Lack of sleepIt directly affects the hormones leptin and ghrelin , which are two hormones that control the feeling of fullness and hunger. When the mother sleeps a few hours, the level of leptin, which promotes the feeling of fullness, decreases, while the level of ghrelin, which increases appetite, increases. This hormonal imbalance leads to eating larger amounts of food, which contributes to weight gain.
4. Changing eating habits after childbirth for the new mother
After giving birth, many mothers may resort to eating fast food and foods rich in fats due to lack of time and fatigue. These unhealthy eating habits lead to an increase in daily calories consumed and reduce the chance of losing weight.
Relying on fast food such as pizza, fried foods, and sweets may seem convenient at first, but it leads to the accumulation of fat in the body. Mothers who eat these foods without controlling their quantities find it difficult to get rid of excess weight, which promotes weight gain after a cesarean section.
