Mum's Powerful And Honest Postpartum Selfie Sparks Conversation About Beauty Of Birth

Hormones continue to impact our bodies in the months following giving birth. One surprising consequence for many women is the effect increased body odour.

Additionally, you might also find yourself waking in the night drenched in sweat as your body attempts to rebalance.

To manage any unpleasant body odour, consider trying a new deodorant or a simple sprinkle of baking soda a couple of times throughout the day can help manage this unexpected gift of motherhood.

One reality often left out of prenatal visits is the potential changes to your pelvic floor and bladder muscles. More than one third of mothers report urinary incontinence following the birth of their children, including mothers who give birth via c-section.

Many women report losing urine during a hearty laugh, a big cough or while on a jog.

Explore your local community for pilates instruction that might help you rebuild muscles that support your bladder and pelvis.

All postpartum bodies are beautiful, and the last thing mothers should be worrying about is shrinking back to their original size.

But, for many moms who have experienced a c-section, the ridge, or apron, of skin that hangs over their scar is unexpected, and about as pleasant as chapped nipples.

Time, drinking plenty of water, and learning to love your new body are all helpful tools in dealing with this body change.

Even after you have waited the recommended six weeks, you might find that sex with your partner doesn't feel the same as pre-birth.

It isn't just about the delivery, though lacerations and episiotomy incisions need additional consideration and time to heal.

Many mothers who experience surgical births also report sex being difficult, uncomfortable and even painful in the first year after giving birth. A likely reason is the reduced levels of estrogen, which is especially relevant for nursing mamas. The lack of this hormone results in vaginal dryness, and difficulty with penetration.

Try taking it slow, using a water-soluble lubricant or finding other ways to be intimate with your partner.

Many pregnancy guides mention the rather terrifying hair loss that often occurs a few months after your baby is born. Most mothers don't experience any actual thinning or balding, because the hairs you lose are actually just additional pregnancy strands.

But, what some are not prepared for is the almost uncontrollable body hair growth that, for many, is another result of the postpartum hormonal deluge.

We are talking nose hair, chin hair, increased upper lip hair -- all of which are fine, if you are used to them or comfortable with them. But when they seem to pop-up overnight, or sprout in the most unexpected and unusual places, it can seem like you can't tweeze fast enough.