tell me honestly... After you're pregnant, give birth, lose weight...

[Hedgehead]

Is your waist/hip ratio never the same again?

[Mrswellyboot]

No, my shape is totally different too

[JassyRadlett]

My shape is completely different even discounting a few extra pounds. In particular the shape of my ribcage and hips has changed.

[SaucyJack]

I've kept my waist throughout all of my pregnancies. I never lost the post-pg loose skin "pouch" tho.

Don't expect to go back to your teenage bikini model days. But you never know- you might be one of the lucky ones.

[vichill]

I agree never the same. i seem more boxy around the middle and bum a bit deflated.

[ChicaMomma]

I think it depends on how low or high you carry for the duration of your pregnancy. Like Jassy has said, my SIL swears the shape of her ribcage is wider- for eg she used wear a 32 bra, now she's 34/36, (even at her thinnest). She carreid both babies very very high, like from early on her bump camp from right under her boobs. Mine appears to be the total opposite at the moment (right down in my crotch!) so not sure how that will affect me- wider hips no doubt! which is worse!!!

But just looking at my own circle of friends, most of them are in great shape, completely back to normal- but it takes time and hard work. And lots of weight work if you can find the time!!!!!!!!!! I have actually invested in a set of dumbbells for the house so that i can start pretty soon after delivery. (Am obviously a first timer and completely deluded lol)

[Hedgehead]

The ONE thing I have is a flat stomach and a small waist. My thighs are big, my bum is big, but my waist is small and my tummy is flat. It's my ONE thing. And I'm gonna lose it, aren't I? (obviously having kids is worth much more than that!!!)

In what ways did your bodies change? What shapes did you become?

[Rockchick1984]

My ribs are slightly flared, but the biggest difference is that my tummy muscles remained separated so my waist was much wider than before, whereas I'd always previously had an hourglass figure I'm now a definite apple. Currently 38 weeks with DC2 and hopefully postnatal physio this time can help that a bit!

[Rockchick1984]

I still have a good bum though

[Loveyouthree]

Hedge - I'm the same as you. Big bum, but small, defined waste and flat stomach. Mine are still here!!

I'm so proud of my body - I've had three children as well. But it might be because I had them at 19, 21 and 23, I don't know...

[HabitualLurker]

There's hope Hedgehead - I'm someone who's pretty much the same as before.

Not exactly the same.. I definitely have a bit more skin on my stomach, but I honestly don't see how you can avoid that! But you can't really tell unless I grab it to demonstrate and measurements the same, clothes fit the same.

Actually, my arse is less perky, but I reckon that's cos I've done virtually no exercise for the last two years..

[MarlenaGru]

My stomach was flat before pregnancy and flat after pregnancy. The only bad thing is my weird outie belly button which is there. I really didn't change shape much at all. It did take some work and probably a year for my muscles to go back to normal but they certainly did.

[ChicaMomma]

hedge/loveyouthree- i'm the same- tiny little waist and flat belly/Bigish arse and horsey thighs. I WILL get my waist back after birth- it is definitely possible. It's defeatist (IMO) to just throw in the towel and put lack of shape down to motherhood. I've seen people defy it so it IS possible!

[HabitualLurker]

.. oh yes, belly button is definitely more out than before!

Ok, so it's probably not possible to escape completely unscathed... but to be honest you probably will not care!

[whiteblossom]

OK, I had my ds nearly 8 years ago, I lost the weight. Over the years it went up and down but one thing I stuck to was the gym three times a week. I found a gym with a crèche and my dh helped out.

A few years ago I made an effort to get back to being slim and my tummy has been flat for years. I am pear shaped so I have to work on my legs etc But my point being if you make an effort and keep at it, once you lose weight underneath will be in good shape.

I bought a crosstrainer for a home, weights do dvd's and lots of walking, suck in the belly!

I plan to do this all over again after this baby. Im very determined/deluded?

[AGoodPirate]

Went back the same after 20s baby, flat stomach again etc. 30s baby, rib cage wider.

[Hedgehead]

Loveyouthree/Chica Momma, you are giving me hope! I genuinely just feel I'd become a fat rectangle if I lost my waist and flat stomach...

[Longtalljosie]

I'm the same sort of shape as you. I'm exactly the same shape I was before becoming pregnant. Nothing's a given. If you never put fat onto your stomach (all on your hips etc) chances are it'll stay the same.

[elvisola]

I am the same body shape but my feet went up a size.

[Dixy30]

I had mine at 25 and 27 and with bf really shrank the stomach back in and seemed to continue doing so, then cambridge diet lost rest of 3st I put on.

Literally looked exactly the same as before, extremely minor stretch marks you couldn't have told.

But I was hour glass shape 5'5 size 10/12 with big thighs & bum and small waist. I don't know whether this is why? Maybe an apple shape would have kept the bigger tummy more.

Hope it works again with no 3 now I'm 30 week !!

[Loveyouthree]

Yes, should add that I breastfed all of mine for months. Breastfeeding was addictive once I saw how quickly my stomach went back to how it was!!

[Jess03]

Actually weigh less than before but it sits differently. You don't have as much time or energy to worry about it though which is an upside!

[IamInvisible]

My waist is small and my tummy is flat still after having two children and being almost 43.

After DS2 I was back in my size 10 jeans 2 days later and within 6-8 weeks my waist was smaller, and it stayed that way until he was about 12.

[SomethingOnce]

My navel wasn't the same but with work at the gym I was in pretty good shape after a year - slim and toned.

It'll be interesting to see what happens after this one

[BuggedByJake]

I'm the same weight but different shape. I used to have a small waist, its now 29-30 inches & my tummy sticks out starting from under my bust rather than under my belly button.My also look smaller even though im still the same size. Depressing but true

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I probably looked 'back to normal' to most people. But in fact my ribcage is bigger (and I can't move bones!), my hips are wider (ditto) and my stomach muscles, despite many crunches early on, never quite recovered.