Help with my post baby body - warning photos included

[possum18]

I have 16 week old twins, I am so in love with them and would go through the pregnancy and birth 1000xs over for them.

I am beginning to feel insecure about my post baby body though, don't get me wrong - if it means having the twins in my life id walk around naked and wobbly forever more - but if there is anything I can do or anyone can give me any advice i would really appreciate it.

I am 5ft2 and previously a size 10, Im currently in size 12 jeans and size 14 tops and dresses. My skin feels extremely loose, my belly is very giggly and my stretch marks are extremely long and thick.

I tried the oils during pregnancy but once I hit 20 weeks nothing was helping the stretch marks.

I don't eat badly but could do better, I try and walk for an hour a day with the pushchair.

Can anyone tell me what worked for them????

Pictures below show before and after, and the problem areas which are getting me down.
I am so sorry if anyone is offended by the photos, I've tried to cover up as much as possible but still try and show as much as possible to give an accurate view.

Tia.

[pegomassive1]

Please don't apologise about your body!! It's an amazing thing wwhib created 2 beautiful lives!
Stretch marks are the hard one unfortunately. My best friend had all the ladies lotions and potions didn't work and she has similar to you. Bio oil has helped to fade but 3 years down the line they are only just starting to shrink properly.

Walking for me has been fantastic along side high intensity interval training like metafit or insanity. warning I first did this 6weeks post birth and thought my vagina was about to fall out please take it easy.
But walking is an excellent all rounder for both you and babies hth

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

It's really early days still, diet, exercise and the stretch marks will fade x

[possum18]

Thank you! I've not been feeling too bad about until my friend who had a baby 4 weeks ago put here high waist size 6 jeans on today and decided to FaceTime me

I will try and stick with the walking and try and intensify it gradually.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

She had ONE BABY , you had TWO!

[possum18]

That's true Dame, I don't know if it makes any difference but I ended up having an emergency section and it's almost like the skin hangs over the scar?

Things like this photo don't help, it's great that she got back to her body after a few weeks, but I thought Celebs were meant to be role models, not make people feel so ashamed sorry I'm having a little pity party tonight

[NotAClue82]

Hello, and congrats on your twins! I'm expecting twins and wonder what will happen to my body once I have them! I think you need to keep in mind that yo are only 16 weeks post birth! Considering your absolutely cracking pre-baby body I expect that you will tone up considerably over the next few months. Stretch marks might take a bit longer to fade, but I'm sure they will fade a bit over time. And anyway, wow! Twins! Both those pictures are amazing: The pre-baby one because, crikey, who really looks like that?! And the post-baby one because, heck, you grew twins! Congrats again!

[pleasethankyouthankyouplease]

Walking is a good start. If you can ,walk during their naps . Stretch marks are tricky- I have heard bio oil , cocoa butter etc The only other thing ( which is probably not useful...) bodies and skin change! Try to focus on the positives and not get hung up on things you can't " fix". Walk, eat healthy foods with good fats like avocado and when (and if ) you can then try Pilates or yoga.

[pleasethankyouthankyouplease]

Ps - and massive congratulations on the arrival of twins! Amazing!

[possum18]

NotAClue ooooo exciting, I hope your pregnancy is going well. I'm having a bit of a wobble tonight over this but please believe me having twins is the best thing ever!!!! Thank you for your comments it is reassuring it's just difficult having so much change in all aspects of life in such a short space of time!

[possum18]

Thank you PleaseThankYou! I'm going to walk until I can't walk anymore

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Yeah , that hangover is part of having a c section, bit of a shock isn't it?

[possum18]

Dame yes!! When in hospital the nurse wanted to change my dressing and asked me to 'lift up that tum' so I did and she said 'going to have to lift it a lot more!'

[finnmcool]

My younger sister has similar stretch marks, she used them to draw a map of nurturing, growth and love on her tummy (with her husbands help)
It helped her come to terms with them and the massive bonding session her and her husband had, helped her feel more desirable and cossetted.
Congratulations on your twins and give yourself time to come to terms with your body being AMAZING!! Not just nice to look at.

[froubylou]

Ah love. I am much bigger than you and my babies are 2 and 12. I don't have that hangover from c sections because I am still too fat to have it.

I don't think it matters what you do or don't put on stretch marks. It's the action of massaging it in that makes the difference. I don't actually have that many, probably because I was much fatter than you when I got pregnant but my sister had loads. Her little boy is nearly 10 now and they have faded and shrank.

Just let your body heal from the section and caring twins and enjoy your babies.

[NoCapes]

You made 2 people a few weeks ago!
2 whole people lived inside you!

It took 9 months for your body to change, don't expect it to snap back in 9 minutes
Honestly give yourself a break!

[KindDogsTail]

Please do not feel under any pressure to be back to your previous size so soon. Your babies are so young! Are you breast feeding? Although it is important you eat healthily you should not be on any diet. You are going to be so busy, you will be back to normal in due course.

I think there may be nothing to do about the stretch marks but put bio - oil on or aloe vera.

[possum18]

I exclusively breast fed for 8 weeks since then they've been moving onto formula and now only have 2 breast feeds per day, purely because it was taking sooo long to change feed settle one and then change freed and settle the other that by the time I stopped it would be time to start again

[KindDogsTail]

That's still a lot in regards to the way you are drawing on your energy resources. So just give yourself time, as walking a lot and pushing the buggy with twins will give you plenty of exercise. Meanwhile, be careful to have good food so you don't get worn out.

[hollinhurst84]

They will fade. This is weight loss pics but you can see them on my tummy and hips in the first pics, and now they're virtually invisible

[PTSouthKen]

Hello just thought to open up this thread again I am currently getting a group together of woman that have just had babies that want to network get out of the house and do some exercise and I am wondering if any of you would like to join such a group? If you do feel free to sign up to my newsletter on //www.simplystephanie.co.uk and I will keep you posted. I will also be arranging other fun events in local salons etc