Does giving birth widen your hips?

Yes, hips often widen after childbirth because pregnancy hormones (like relaxin) loosen pelvic ligaments to allow the baby to pass through, and while the pelvis gradually returns, it may not go back to the exact pre-pregnancy size, resulting in permanently wider hips for many women, along with changes in fat distribution and posture.

Do hips stay wider after childbirth?

Yes, it's common for hips to stay slightly wider after pregnancy because pregnancy hormones (like relaxin) loosen pelvic ligaments for birth, and while they tighten, they may not fully return to their original width, resulting in a permanently wider hip/pelvis structure for many women, though some may regain their previous size with time and exercise. 

Does your body shape change after giving birth?

Yes, your body shape often changes after pregnancy due to hormonal shifts, stretching of muscles and ligaments, and fat redistribution, resulting in wider hips, altered breast size/shape, a potentially softer belly (diastasis recti), and changes in foot size, with some changes being temporary and others more lasting. It's a natural part of growing and birthing a human, and self-compassion is key as your body adjusts. 

Do your hips get wider if you're pregnant?

Several women say that they feel like their hips got wider, but it's actually their pelvis bone structure that has changed, Jessica Shepherd, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, ...

Does giving birth affect your hips?

The movements and positions involved in labor and delivery — including during a C-section — can put stress on your hips, pelvis, and surrounding muscles. This can lead to soreness, muscle strain, or joint discomfort that continues after delivery, contributing to postpartum hip pain. Shifts in posture and gait.

How pregnancy changes your pelvis

How does giving birth change your body?

Giving birth triggers massive hormonal shifts and intense physical exertion, causing powerful uterine contractions, cervical changes, and stretching of the pelvis; afterward, the body undergoes rapid recovery, with the uterus shrinking, significant fluid/weight loss, hormonal "baby blues," and physical healing from stretching, potential tears, and fatigue, while breasts prepare for lactation. Key hormones like oxytocin drive contractions, while endorphins provide pain relief, and adrenaline surges energy, followed by a major hormonal drop causing mood swings, night sweats, and exhaustion as the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
 

Do your ribs and hips go back after pregnancy?

It depends on how long into postpartum we're talking about. Rib flare is normal in early postpartum because of the physical changes that happen during pregnancy. But if your rib flare persists beyond the first few weeks or months, then it's not normal. Your ribs should go back to normal within a few months.

Why are my hips suddenly wider?

So, as you grow taller, your body starts producing all kinds of hormones, which are chemicals that tell parts of your body what to do. During that time of growth, your hips widen (depending partly on what your genes, aka heredity, told them to do!) This widening helps with having babies in your adult years.

Will I ever be tight again after giving birth?

Yes, your vagina can feel looser after childbirth due to stretching, but it naturally regains much of its firmness through healing and exercises like Kegels, though some women experience persistent laxity or tightness from scar tissue, both treatable with pelvic floor therapy or other methods. Full recovery varies, but consistency with pelvic floor exercises (Kegels) and potentially physical therapy helps muscles tighten and heal, with significant improvements often seen within months, but sometimes requiring longer intervention. 

What is the 5 5 5 rule after birth?

The 5-5-5 rule is a postpartum guideline for new mothers, suggesting 5 days in bed (total rest), 5 days on the bed (gentle movement like sitting up), and 5 days around the bed (light activity in the home), aiming for 15 days of focused rest and bonding after birth to support physical and mental healing. While a useful reminder to slow down, experts stress it's flexible; listen to your body and balance rest with light movement (like walking to the bathroom) to prevent blood clots, as rigid bed rest isn't medically ideal, says this Reddit thread and another source. 

At what age do women's hips get wider?

Women's hips widen significantly during puberty due to estrogen, creating wider birth canals, and this widening continues into the 20s, often peaking around ages 25-30, but surprisingly, pelvic growth (and thus hip widening) can continue into older age, even into the 70s, though some studies suggest a slight narrowing may start around age 40, balanced by overall body changes. 

Does pregnancy age your face?

Yes, pregnancy can make your face appear older due to hormonal shifts causing melasma (dark spots), acne, swelling, and changes in skin texture, while research also shows pregnancy can accelerate biological aging (cellular aging) by a couple of years, though some effects can reverse postpartum. Changes like a fuller face (due to swelling/weight), larger nose, and hair loss can contribute to a more aged look, but many temporary skin issues resolve after birth. 

Why do women's thighs get bigger after pregnancy?

Women accumulate fat reserves throughout pregnancy, especially in the tummy, back and thighs. These reserves store energy and are necessary to ensure that the pregnancy and breastfeeding go well.

What causes a woman to have big hips?

Women's hips get wider primarily due to hormones like estrogen during puberty, preparing the pelvis for childbirth, and this widening can continue subtly with age as the bones remodel, allowing more room for babies to pass through the birth canal. While pregnancy hormones (like relaxin) further loosen joints for delivery, bone growth itself also shifts the pelvic structure over time, distinct from just fat gain. 

At what age do girls get curvy?

Girls get curves during puberty, typically starting between ages 8 and 13, as hormones like estrogen cause fat to deposit in breasts, hips, and thighs, leading to a fuller, more rounded shape, though significant changes can continue into the mid-20s, with body fat distribution shifting to create more defined curves. 

What is the golden rule for every pregnant woman?

The golden rule for every pregnant woman is never to miss meals and ensure she gets all the necessary nutrients for the baby. She can include foods rich in various nutrients and take supplements to avoid nutritional deficiencies and encourage the healthy growth and development of the baby.

When do most first time moms go into labor?

Most first-time moms go into labor around their due date, with about half delivering by 40 weeks and 5 days, but it's common and normal for it to happen between 38 to 42 weeks, as only about 5% give birth exactly on their due date. The peak time for birth for first-timers is often around week 39 or 40, with a higher chance of going slightly past the 40-week mark compared to subsequent pregnancies. 

What is the 10 day rule in pregnancy?

What is the 10-day rule? The 10-day rule was established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection to minimize the potential for performing x-ray exams on pregnant women. The basis of the rule was to do abdominal and pelvic x-ray exams only during the 10 days following the onset of menstruation.

Can a girl still be tight after having a baby?

So in broad terms, a young mother with an uncomplicated vaginal delivery will usually fully recover vaginal tightness within the first 6 months of having her first child.

Does the mommy pooch ever go away?

Yes, a "mom pooch" (stubborn lower belly fat/skin after pregnancy) usually improves significantly or goes away with time, diet, and targeted deep core exercises, but it can be persistent due to stretched muscles (diastasis recti) and skin, sometimes requiring medical treatments like body contouring for full resolution. It takes time as the body recovers, often months to over a year, depending on individual factors like genetics, delivery, and lifestyle. 

Do breasts stay big after pregnancy?

No, breasts often don't stay exactly the same size or shape after pregnancy and breastfeeding; they can become larger, smaller, fuller, or less firm due to stretched ligaments, hormonal shifts, and changes in fatty/glandular tissue, with results varying greatly by individual, genetics, and lifestyle factors like smoking and weight changes. While some women see their breasts return to near-pre-pregnancy appearance, many experience lasting changes like sagging, deflation, or altered fullness. 

What is the smell after giving birth?

After giving birth, changes in smell are common due to hormonal shifts causing increased sweating (postpartum body odor) and lochia, a bloody discharge with a musty, metallic, or menstrual-like scent, which is normal but shouldn't be foul; a foul smell, fever, or chills could signal an infection like endometritis, requiring prompt medical attention.