Gemma Atkinson Instagram – 2 weeks post C section. Breast pads ✔️ Industrial size sanitary pad ✔️ Swollen tummy ✔️ All the things postpartum we go through. It’s very common for tummy’s to stay swollen after pregnancy and they usually stay swollen longer after a C section due to the inflammation and abdominal swelling from surgery. So don’t worry if you feel you still look pregnant as I do here. ITS NORMAL! I’m not expecting to look like my old self for months down the line yet. I haven’t even left the house other than pottering about in the garden. I’ve been mindful to rest as much as I can to aid recovery down the line. Weather permitting, towards the end of this week I’m going to start some short walks. Until I’ve had my mummy MOT that’s all the exercise I’ll be doing. What I’ve been focusing on instead is trying to make myself feel like my old self, and so far it’s worked. Despite broken sleep for 2 weeks I feel really good 👍🏼 Upbeat, and ready to take on the day. The simple things I’ve been doing are… Cold showers. No ice bath yet so I’ve stood under cold water every morning for a minute letting it run on my pituitary gland (aim water on back of the neck) It’s responsible for regulating so many functions in the body and essentially kick starts your system in the morning. It works a treat for boosting your mood. Secondly, my nutrition. With my hormones slowly settling and the cravings for crap which I had in pregnancy going I’m back to eating my usual foods. I’m snacking a lot as anyone will tell you breast feeding makes you hungry and we need the extra calories to feed. I’ve been snacking on things like nuts, fage yogurt, fruit, boiled eggs and dark chocolate. In pregnancy it was bread and haribo 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 Lastly, and this is where it gets cheesy, but affirmations! Every morning I’ve told myself “I can do this” every night feed I’ve reminded myself “thousands of women are now doing the exact same as me right now” and every time I look at Thiago I thank my body for growing, carrying and birthing him. 15 days ago he was in my tummy and that blows my mind completely. The miracle of life and the human body. 🥰🥰🥰