Q It has been 7 months since I had my first baby, but my weight still hasn't returned to what it was before pregnancy, and the swelling in my lower belly and legs won't go away. Why is that?
A The weight and fluid gained during pregnancy don't disappear right away, and when breastfeeding, lack of sleep, and reduced activity are added on top, recovery slows down. Rather than crash dieting, it is safer to help your body recover first and lose weight gradually.
Detailed Answer
During pregnancy, your body increases weight, fluid, and fat to prepare to nourish the baby. These changes don't vanish all at once after delivery, and it takes several months for hormones to return to normal. When night feedings cause sleep deprivation and childcare reduces your activity level, the swelling and weight can linger longer than expected. This is usually a natural part of recovery and improves gradually over time.
Our Korean Medicine Clinic's Perspective
At Dongjedang, we see postpartum weight gain as 'a state where the fluid and stagnant blood left in the body after delivery haven't been cleared and remain stuck.' Rather than forcing weight loss through starvation, we care for recovery first and gently clear what is stagnant, helping the body find its balance without strain so that the weight comes down along with it.
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