That said, weight maintenance after childbirth is often a frustrating reality and it’s worth addressing if it’s affecting your mental or physical health. We all know that diet and exercise are top recommendations for weight loss at every stage of life, but a new player has entered the field: GLP-1 drugs.
There are a lot of of GLP-1s on the market: compounded semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Mounjaro… the list goes on. These medications can be an attractive weight loss tool, especially if you’ve just had a baby. After all, it’s not easy to lose weight when you’re sleep deprived, physically recovering from birth, and dealing with a newborn baby! However, GLP-1s may affect postpartum people differently than the general population, and medication timing and postpartum physiology are important to consider.
Still wondering if taking a GLP-1 for postpartum weight loss is right for you, or do you already have a prescription? Read on as we discuss key GLP-1 details, frequently asked questions, and what you need to know about using these medications after delivery.
How your body changes after giving birth
Gaining weight during pregnancy is a natural and oh-so-necessary part of the process, and your body doesn’t simply return to its pre-pregnancy “normal” after giving birth. Weight maintenance after childbirth is a common struggle because:
- One year after giving birth, half of all women and people in labor experience pregnancy maintain at least 10 pounds of pregnancy weight
- A quarter retain at least 20 extra pounds a year after giving birth.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s for short, are not gimmicky supplements for postpartum weight loss; they are prescription medications that change the way your brain and body handle food and hunger. Although effective for weight reduction, using Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss after childbirth is more complex than for other stages of life, due to physiological changes during pregnancy and childbirth. Here’s just a snapshot of how pregnancy and childbirth affect your system:
Is it safe to use GLP-1s postpartum?
Taking GLP-1s while your body adjusts to postpartum changes can worsen and cause some uncomfortable side effects (hello, constipation). Additionally, rapid weight loss can affect your body in ways that are already in flux postpartum.
Provided you are not breastfeeding, medications such as Zepbound or Mounjaro can still be part of your postpartum weight loss plan. However, it is crucial that they do not operate in a vacuum. Combine GLP-1s with:
- Musculoskeletal training to ensure you maintain muscle mass, joint health and function, and bone strength while losing weight
- Pelvic floor therapy to combat pelvic floor weakness, aid bladder control and improve coordination for more comfortable pooping
With this in mind, let’s look at some specific ways that GLP-1 medications may interact with postpartum physiology and answer a few commonly asked questions.
How long does GLP-1 constipation last and why does it happen?
Constipation from semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Wegovy and Ozempic, can last median of 47 daysor about six weeks. It usually starts during the first month of treatment and improves over time. So if GLP-1s are part of your post-pregnancy diet, know that constipation can get better with time.
Although researchers don’t fully understand why semaglutide causes constipation, both slower intestinal motility and changes in diet are likely contributors. Pregnancy and postpartum also affect your intestinal motility and eating habits, so taking Wegovy or Ozempic for postpartum weight loss can be a double whammy for constipation! Let’s quickly look at the details:
- Intestinal motility: High progesterone levels during pregnancy Relax the muscles that control your stomach and intestineswhich slows down your digestion. This delay often leads to constipation, and taking a GLP-1 postpartum can keep you constipated longer.
- Dietary changes: GLP-1s have your back feel full longerallowing you to eat less food and therefore less fiber! Combine this with postpartum stress and a busy, baby-centered schedule, and you may not be getting the foods and fluids that help you stay regular.
How GLP-1s, constipation, and your pelvic floor are related
For those experiencing Ozempic or Wegovy constipation postpartum, it is important to take care of your pelvic health! This is because your pelvic floor muscles play a major role in bowel function. These muscles can: (1) become injured during pregnancy and birth, and (2) chronic constipation further strain the pelvic floor muscles.
If GLP-1s are part of your postpartum weight loss plan, working with a pelvic physical therapy can help you maintain pelvic muscle strength and function. Your pelvic physiotherapist can help you manage postpartum constipation with tailored programs and techniques.
How rapid weight loss can affect your musculoskeletal system
GLP-1 drugs can cause weight loss quite quickly, and this usually means you’re not just losing excess body fat: you also lose muscle. Losing muscle mass can put more strain on your ligaments and joints, which can ultimately lead to pain or injury.
If you are taking GLP-1s postpartum, preventing these potential effects is critical! Work to protect your musculoskeletal system with safe strength training and postpartum recovery routines, as pregnancy affects your musculoskeletal system.
How do I protect my muscle mass with slimming medications?
Eating enough protein and doing resistance training are essential for maintaining muscle mass and bone density while using GLP-1s for weight loss. If it’s not accompanied by protein and exercise, rapid weight loss can be increases your risk of sarcopenia (the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength).
Sarcopenia, in turn, is related to reduced mobility and muscle function. This means that your muscles become smaller and thinner throughout your body… including your pelvic floor. With sarcopenia, your pelvic floor muscles may not work as effectively as before, which can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction. So protecting your muscle mass while taking GLP-1s is much more than just preventing so-called “Ozempic ass”, especially postpartum!
Does Rapid Weight Loss Cause Bladder Leaks?
Instead of causing them, weight loss usually helps reduce bladder leaks! A study of 338 overweight or obese women found that weight loss led to: 47% decrease for weekly leaks, especially leaks due to things such as sneezing, coughing or laughing. If you are experiencing urinary leakage postpartum, a doctor’s use of GLP-1 may help.
Can GLP-1s like Ozempic cause prolapse?
GLP-1s don’t directly cause prolapse, but rapid weight loss can affect the muscles and connective tissue that hold your pelvic organs in place. While pelvic organ prolapse and rapid weight loss are possible slightly related, prolapse and childbirth are very closely related (Handa, 2011). We’ll say it again: Your pelvic muscles are fragile and healing after childbirth, and they need some love and physical therapy, especially if your healthcare provider has suggested a GLP-1 prescription for you.
Supporting your body after childbirth
Pregnancy, birth and caring for a new baby are challenging;
You have to give everything, both physically and emotionally. GLP-1 medications can help take some of the burden off your shoulders (literally) so you can feel like yourself again.
However, when it comes to postpartum weight loss, whole-body health is always priority number 1. If you are considering getting a GLP-1 prescription or are looking for postpartum physical support, book an appointment today. We are here to whole You.
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