5 Ways Becoming A Mother Makes You Healthier

Everyone knows that having children changes your life in many ways. Most often we think about some of the more stressful things, but there are actually tons of benefits that come along with becoming a parent that are actually physical! If you’re teetering on the edge of entering parenthood, check out this great list that demonstrates how becoming a mom actually makes you a healthier human!

1. Happier

You may not be feeling all kinds of happy right at this moment, because of sleep deprivation, teething woes or teenager angst. But it’s a widely accepted notion that people keep having kids for some reason, and that is because it makes us happier human beings. Our children bring us joy, happiness and a sense of accomplishment on almost a daily basis, and that’s good for your health! A 2007 study by Harvard found that people who had an overall sense of happiness had a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Feeling happy usually means not feeling negative emotions such as depression and anxiety (at least not as often!), which have been found to contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes and early stroke. While you may not feel happy all the time, becoming a mother has already helped make you a healthier person.

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2. Less Risk For Cancer

If you are a mother by way of pregnancy and not through adoption or surrogacy, you have a reduced risk of breast cancer depending on a few details. First, a woman’s risk of breast cancer is determined by how much exposure you have to certain hormones that are produced by your ovaries, as stated by Cancer.gov. When you become pregnant, you experience fewer menstrual cycles and thus, less opportunity for exposure to those potentially cancer-causing hormones. Additionally research has suggested that breastfeeding further develops your breast cells (so they can produce milk) into those that are resistant to cancer.

Now, there are a few caveats for these facts to apply to you: an early pregnancy (before 30), multiple births, and a longer breastfeeding relationship are just a few. Regardless of when you decided to have children, the fact that a link exists between having children at all and reduced risk of a cancer is a proof to the health benefits of kids!

3. Healthy Heart

You knew that having kids was good for your emotional heart, but did you know research has shown it helps with your physical one as well? Scientists have found that the hormone oxytocin has properties that aid in having a healthy heart, especially in women who breastfeed for at least 7 months. Additionally, older women who have had 4 or more children had higher levels of estrogen in their system, which helps combats the development of heart disease. If you needed any more excuse to have a large family, this is it!

4. More Likely To Quit Bad Habits

Did you notice the moment you held your baby in your arms you wanted to become a better person? You wanted to be the best mom you could be for the new life you were cradling in your arms. Many mothers decide to stop bad habits when they become a parent so they can set a good example, have better health to keep up with their kids and to live a long and happy life with their family. Stopping smoking, losing weight by eating better and exercise and rebuilding relationships are just a few good habits you are likely to take up as a mother.

5. Less Painful Menstrual Cycles

For some reason, women who have vaginal births report much less painful periods after having children. Those with cesarean births also state reduced pain, but in smaller numbers. The reason hasn’t been verified, but many think the stretching of your uterus during labor and delivery somehow changes cramping for periods down the line. Who cares how, we’re just glad it’s true!

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Karly Wood

Editor at Red Tricycle

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!