post-delivery belly

T

tinytaebo2

Member
Hello everyone! I have not written on this forum in ages. But I do so enjoy reading all the advice from all you knowledgable ladies. So here is my question, or dilemma, rather. Exactly one month ago today I gave birth to my son, Dante. He is the love of my life, so if I am unable to retrieve my six-pack, I'll learn to accept it. However, my waistline is nowhere to be found. I lost what seems to be most of my pregnancy weight, although I haven't been on a scale since before he was born. In that I am breast feeding and having to eat more to sustain an adequate milk supply, and I also will not resume exercise for two more weeks due to a hellacious vaginal delivery, I was curious if anybody has some idea of when I will see, if ever again, my waist line given all considered. I need some dietary advice, as well as workout advice. Should I start back up with intensity, as I worked out 6 days a week with intensity prepregnancy.
I don't want to have to buy new clothes, so any help will be very appreciated.
Thanks, Alicia
 
Hey Alicia. Congrats on your wonderful baby boy -- I know you are floating on a cloud!

Please don't worry too much at this point about your belly. It's only been a month! Your body has been through a lot in a relatively short amount of time, so you need to give it (and yourself) a break! At this point, your uterus probably hasn't even shrunk back fully to its pre-pregnancy size. Plus your ab muscles and skin have been stretched and unfortunately they don't just snap back into place once the baby is born (would that it were true!). :)

It's trite, but true -- it took you about a year to get into that pregnant body and it takes just about that long to get back out of it. My little one will be a year old next week (yikes!) and it's only been in the last two months or so that my stomach and the rest of me has started to regain something of its old shape. And I'm afraid I will always have this little "pleat" of skin just under my belly button that was never there before. But every time I look at it, I smile because it's my "souvenir" of the incredible thing my body did in nuturing and bearing a child.

Please give yourself time and just try enjoy these precious first days with your baby. They go way too fast. Do what you can once your body has healed and try not to stress about it at this point. You may or may not ever have a six pack again, but you sound committed and will probably have the best looking abs of any mom in town! And if not, as you said, it was worth it.
 
Hi, Alicia! My baby boy will be one month old tomorrow. Congrads on your baby boy! I actually have the same problem with the post-delivery belly and I delivered a 3lb, 8oz baby (he was born at 31 weeks and now weighs 4lbs, 3oz!) so you would think that I wouldn't have a belly, but I sure do! I have been easing back into working out (though I did have a relatively easy labor and delivery!) by power walking and doing Circuit Max (with modifications). I haven't been doing this long enough to see results, but I do feel better now that I am working out again. My baby is still in the hospital and I am back at work full time (until he comes home) so time to workout becomes a problem for me, but I am trying to get an hour in at least 4-5 times a week.

I have just started breastfeeding him and have been pumping since he was born so I haven't been "dieting". I do try to make good food choices most of the time....gotta have chocolate peanut butter ice cream once in awhile

Anyway, I have been beating myself up about this belly and wondering if it will ever go away. But, I have decided that it will take time and right now it just can't be a priority for me. I am confident that once my baby comes home and we settle into a routine (which I know will take time to establish--if at all possible!)I will begin to see results. So, hang in there and do what you can, but take care of you and the little one first and rest will happen! Good luck to you
 
HI!

Hazel is right. It takes about a year for your body to get back to normal. In my opinion, especially if you are breastfeeding. It just seems to take the body longer to recover because it is putting so much energy into making milk. My baby is 5 1/2 mo. now, and I have been working out consistently. I still have this layer of fat around my waist that just won't fit into all my old clothes. I see progress slowly but surely and have decided to just be patient. With my first baby it also took about a year. Especially for my boobs. Yikes! Where did they go? I am also back to my prepreg weight, but my body is different. So don't rely on the scale.

Congratulations Alicia and KJT on your babies! Now I must go read KJT's post above!

Andrea
 
Hazel,
Happy birthday to your little one! It's strange to imagine what your body was going through just one year ago to create such a wonderful bundle of joy. I never knew I could feel this much love for anybody other than my husband. In fact, it's scary the love I have for my son, Dante. He's so amazing!!
Anyhow, I just want to thank you for your advice. I realize it's been only a month, but I just needed words of encouragement, as if my son is not enough! I suppose I'll feel better when I am able to work out again. I have only one and a half weeks left before I can start. I only hope that I am able to find the time.
Take care of yourself and have fun on your child's first birthday!!!
Alicia
 
KJT-
Congratulations on your baby boy! I hope he is doing well. Will he be coming home soon? How is the feeding going? My sister-in-law just had a baby at 37 weeks and she can't seem to wake him up to feed for more than a few minutes. He was exactly 5 pounds at birth. She had him at home in a birthing tub and he came out in the bag of waters in just three pushes. I certainly hope that your delivery went as smoothly as hers. Mine was excruciating! I had three doses of the epidural, as the first one was positioned incorrectly, so I was only numb on one side. Due to that, I couldn't feel my right leg for a day and a half. There was plenty more that went wrong. In fact, it seems the only thing that went right is the gorgeous son that emerged despite all the grief he went through!
I just wanted to thank you for your response to my whining about something so insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I wish you and your son the best. If you ever have any questions you can feel free to ask me.
Alicia
 
Hi Andrea!
Thanks for your response. I suppose your right about it taking longer to lose the weight if you are breast feeding. Although, I am pretty much back to the way I was, with the exception of a few dimples here and there. I too have a spare tire around my waist that I wish were a Firestone so that it could be recalled immediately! No such luck! I have been having trouble with my milk coming in from day to day. My husband has gone back to work, so it's difficult to find the time to eat. I had trouble eating before, anyhow. It's never been high on my priority list. But now it's imperative, yet I am always either trying to get my son to sleep by cuddling him, or I am trying to get a few z's. Well, speaking of the devil. I've got to go feed my little devil.
Hopefully, I'll be writing to you again.
Alicia
 
RE: Happy 1 year to your little one!!

Hi Leela! Yes it has been a whole year -- it makes my head spin just to think of it. She's now a whopping 22-pounder who's just a few weeks shy of walking (running!) and has developed a very strong opinion about everything. She is such a joy to us.

I'm sorry, but I can't remember when the newest member of your family is due? Do you know whether Anju is getting a brother or sister, or is it a surprise? I hope everything is going well with your pregnancy.

Oh, and Alicia, I had to chuckle when you said you have no interest in eating. That was me all over during the first 6 weeks. I could go all day on a cup of dry Lucky Charms. Lauren's pediatrician finally ordered me to put some weight back on and do it by eating lots of ice cream, cheese, milkshakes, nuts, and other high fat foods. What else could I do? Doctor's orders . . . ;-)
 
Alicia,

If it's encouragement you want, you definitely have it from me -- I hope I didn't sound discouraging by saying that it might take a while to get back to pre-pregnancy shape. I just don't want you to be too hard on yourself -- you've just finished the most intense workout of your life! And you are right -- finding the time is the biggest challenge, but you sound as if you are committed, and that is the most important element in getting back into a routine. Maybe you will be lucky like me and your little one will love to sit in his bouncy chair and watch you workout (at least for the first few months -- now she wants to get on the step with me!).

Keep us posted on your progress!
 
Hi!!

>22-pounder who's just a few

Awww!

>weeks shy of walking (running!)
>and has developed a very
>strong opinion about everything.

Yes! Isn't that terrific? (No sarcasm at all intended!). I love the twos. My 2.5 yo NEVER stops talking, and she has opinions (strong) on everything. Bosses me around "MOmmy! Shoes off!" (as soon as I get home - as she associates my being in shoes, and her not being in shoes as: Mommy is going to work). She talks non stop - and giggles and tickles us - and tries to scare me by saying "Boo!" ... She hugs and kisses us - and says she loves us... It has been a rough year in the sense that this is a very wilful time, and it there are moments where you just don't want to deal with that ... but it is so joyful to watch this baby turn into this PERSON who can stand up for herself against the people who provide her with what she needs to survive! Kids are WONDERFUL people!!! Enjoy that precious girl of yours - and I hope you videotape that darling early toddling of hers!

>I'm sorry, but I can't remember
>when the newest member of
>your family is due?

8/31! And she is a she :). Kalina is her name. We have seen her 7 times now via ultrasound, and 3 of those verified that she is a girl :)



>is going well with your
>pregnancy.

She is on the small side - but other than that, all seems well. I am not worried. Anju was 6lbs at birth (36 wks). I was a 6 lber as was my husband (who is a 6'2" italian/irish man)


>ice cream, cheese, milkshakes, nuts,
>and other high fat foods.

HAHAHHAHA! I have only gained 3lbs from my starting weight thanks to all the weight I lost being nauseous/sick/not hungry!
 
I know what you mean about eating. I had no appetite after delivery. My husband would help remind me to eat just so I would have energy. After a few weeks I was fine, but then too scared that something I ate would affect my baby! To tell the truth I am glad I got to bf, but I really didn't enjoy the side effects. I never did have a problem with milk though. I probably could have fed two other kids with all the leakage. I think I was spending as much on nursing pads as I now do on formula! Okay, maybe not.

After all this rambling, I originally posted cause I wanted to encourage you that this time is going to be over very quick. Pretty soon he'll be 6 mo. and sleeping all night and (like me) you won't be able to believe it. I am just amazed that it seems like not long ago I had my little guy!

Andrea
 
Leela!

I can't believe it's so close! (You're probably cursing me right now -- I'm sure it doesn't feel all that close, and it seems to get further away the closer you get, doesn't it?) ;-) I will keep my eye posted for news of Kalina's arrival -- but hey, get to the hospital this time, will ya'? :) It gives me shivers every time I think of you delivering at home unexpectedly.

That is so exciting that Anjali will have a sister -- I so want another girl so that Lauren can know the great joy of having a sister (OK, maybe she won't realize it for a few years, but eventually . . .) But she seems to prefer rough-housing with the boys in her class, so maybe a brother would be better! Look at me, already talking about having another, when most of the time I feel a bit overwhelmed just dealing with one. I originally told Greg that we could start trying again after the first of the year, but some days that seems WAY too soon. Oh, for a nice birth control failure so I wouldn't have to think too hard about it . . . :-0

Anyway, congrats again and take care of yourself in these last couple of weeks -- I'll be thinking a good thought for you and your family.
 
Actually this pregnancy seems so much more relaxing!

>get further away the closer
>you get, doesn't it?) ;-)

Kind of sort of yes - but you know.... I am SO enjoying this wonderful time with my daughter and husband. My daughter is a delightful little person who is really becoming REASONABLE and she has a great sense of humor - and talks all the time - non stop - has opinions on everything :). It is so much fun. So the anticipation of "Wow, a baby" is a bit less than it was with her - since we didn't have a little cutiepie around to keep us occupied!

As far as comfort goes - I have days where my skin, hands and feet itch really badly (worrying about liver function - so i'm going to push for a blood test)... and then other days, like yesterday, where I feel great!

I think she has dropped too - so I'm able to breathe and eat again. Which is good - considering, i've been 139 pounds for over a month now - and keep getting scolded about the lack of personal weight gain. I know the baby is getting bigger though!



>Kalina's arrival -- but hey,
>get to the hospital this

YES! YES! I am going to really really be pushy about staying there too - even if i'm early! I found out with my mom that I was induced since she got to the hospital early after having had near-misses with the other two. THey just figured it was better to get me out than to send her home in the snow :). Don't want to be induced, but I do plan on listening to the faint signals I got last time from my crazy body.


>time, will ya'? :)
> It gives me shivers
>every time I think of
>you delivering at home unexpectedly.

Thanks :). Yes - that was frightening!! Mostly because I didn't know what to do with the baby once she was born... I was terrified of that during the 30 minutes between figuring out I was in labor, and being all alone. The EMTs really came through for Anjali - doing all that suctioning and cord clamping.


>That is so exciting that Anjali
>will have a sister --

Yes! I'm very very very happy! The whole family is!!!


>I so want another girl
>so that Lauren can know

Awwww! I hope you get what you wish for!!! I have a brother and as sister, and I love them both- but I'm really really glad I have a sister!!!! Even though I drove her nuts for years, being 1.5 years younger.



>. .) But she
>seems to prefer rough-housing with
>the boys in her class,

HAHAHAH!!
>time I feel a bit
>overwhelmed just dealing with one.

One is overwhelming. Esp these toddler years. Anjali was HARD around 15 mos, and now, at 2.5 yrs, she is so much easier. But a delight all the way through. For all that toddlers are tough - they are so wonderful!


>the year, but some days
>that seems WAY too soon.

I know! I know! I started trying when Anjali turned 1. But it took a while to get a viable pregnancy. This age diff is PERFECT.


Thank you so much Hazel!!! I will keep posting here, and be sure to tell you when (and how) she comes!!!!
 
My 31 inch post partum waist... (m)

I had a spongy spare tire even up til getting pregnant again with Anjali (I blame several factors - one being my lack of good eating habits, as I had prior to being a mom.. the other being my lack of good exercise habits as I had prior to being a mom. I also kind of blamed being in my mid 30s, but Cathe proves me wrong there every time!)

Anyway - now that i'm almost 8 mos pregnant, my belly is round and hard again.. and honestly, I don't see that what was there was really fat.

I think for the most part it was stretched skin and muscle... which I find a little less encouraging than fat - because fat can be lost... whereas getting the skin/muscle back to normal (esp the skin) is tougher to do. And genetics and age MAY play a role in that. Skin is less elastic as we get older.

So.. I guess my strategy will be to work out and do lots of great rotations over the next rest of my lifetime - but to not sweat getting my 25 year old body back.. :)

Good luck to you!!!

Leela
 
RE: My 31 inch post partum waist... (m)

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-18-01 AT 12:57PM (Est)[/font][p]Leela,
Gosh!! I just wanted to say that you just described me to a tee when you described yourself! It is so encouraging to know that I'm not alone! I, too, suffer from a lack of good eating habits after the birth of my son, Austin (3/00) as well as a lack of good exercise habits after his birth! It has been SO HARD to get back into the groove and now I'm pregnant with my 2nd child (due in 1/02) and I don't see myself getting back into that groove until after the baby is born!
Anyway, you really just made me feel a lot better! My goal is to get back into it all after the birth of this child and at least feel better about myself. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never look like I did at 25, but at least I can come close, right? Thanks again!!!
Kris
 
Yay!

>is so encouraging to know
>that I'm not alone!

Absolutely! Reading your post was comforting too!

It is really hard to get back in the groove. Even with a supportive spouse, etc - it just is hard!


>(due in 1/02) and I
>don't see myself getting back
>into that groove until after
>the baby is born!

:). I think that is a great idea - working out while pregnant is great - but to really hit that groove, it is good to have another post partum goal. It is almost like hitting a reset button.


>and at least feel better
>about myself. I have

Me too!!!! I think we can do it!


>but at least I can
>come close, right? Thanks
>again!!!
>Kris

Yes you can!! And so can I - in fact, we can be even better in many ways! I intend to be STRONGER and have more endurance than I did back then, even if I never have the cellulite-free legs -e tc, etc !!!

We can do it!!

How is your pregnancy going?
 
RE: Yay!

My pregnancy is going well, thanks so much for asking! It's pretty much the same as the last one except I'm starting out 10 pounds heavier than I was when I got pregnant the first time! UGH! :-mad I'm still queasy in the mornings and need to eat all the time in order to NOT feel queasy which doesn't jive with trying not to gain 40 pounds like last time!! EEEEKK!! The only difference I have this time is I'm very dizzy and light-headed in the mornings. After I eat, the dizziness goes away, but then the nausea hits! You just can't win. I'm 13 weeks today so the nausea should be subsiding soon. Yahoo!

You're due very soon! I'll be anxious to read how you make out! I know you're having a girl, so I wish you luck in your labor & delivery! I believe we're going to find out this time what we're having so we can plan a little bit. Sounds like a poor excuse to find out, so I guess it's personal choice! I can't believe how much grief I get from people when I tell them we want to find out. Everyone's an expert, right?
Thanks again for asking - take care and good luck!!!
 
Almost past that nausea point!

Sorry about the wt issue. But mostly the important thing is you take care of what you need - including eating to stave off nausea!


>eat, the dizziness goes away,
>but then the nausea hits!
> You just can't win.

Yick. I hate the first trimester! 13 weeks - end of first trimester! YAY!

Thanks for the wishes of luck :) I just had my 34 wk appt, and all is well. She is dropped and i'm 1cm dilated, but I don't really worry about that, since labor went so fast and early last time! I'm looking forward to her being here, but also enjoying my time with Anjali as the 'only child' :)

Luckily for me, this time, these weeks are not uncomfortable yet.

About finding out: Yeah - personal choice! :) We chose to know - saved on planning with buying stuff!

Besides, since we are a mixed race couple, we are dying of curiosity to know if she will be like Anjali (NO indiciation that she is half indian - she looks a lot like my husbands sister) or if she will be like me.

If so - nobody will EVER believe they are 100% sisters! :)

> Sounds like a poor
>excuse to find out, so

Hey - you don't need any excuses, imho! :)

>Thanks again for asking - take
>care and good luck!!!


You too - I will keep checking here even after she is born to see how you are faring with energy/nausea!!

take care!

Leela
 
I guess one important issue is, was your stomach a problem area before you were pregnant? If it was, then my experience is that it will be especially hard to recover, many people never do, no matter how much muscle is under there, or how thin they are. If it wasn't then in just a couple of months you should look "undamaged". this is just the luck of the draw. I think it would behoove us all to remember that there is a substantial genetic component to our efforts to sculpt our bodies and to just be grateful and happy when we are fit, not expecting to look like lingerie models no matter how much we work out or how healthy we eat.
 
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