the truth about post-baby tums - break it to me gently

[kraftwerkkittie]

I was watching Embarrassing Teen Illnesses which featured two post-pregnancy mums who had some gruesome after-effects from the pregnancy in the tum area - masses of loose crinkly skin, lumps, stretch marks etc

I'm wondering, specifically if you have had stretch marks on your belly during the pregnancy, what your experience of post-pregnancy tums has been? It's impossible to predict presumably, in the same way as I really don't think that you can predict or prevent stretch marks (if you're gonna get em, you're gonna get em), but just trying to gear myself up for the possibilities!

[TheProvincialLady]

For me there was a lot of loose skin afterwards and the only way it has gone is by getting pregnant and stretching it all again! Lord knows what it will look like after I give birth this time. But many of my friends seem to have very normal tummies - it is just genetics and the luck of the draw I'm afraid.

[Cheesesarnie]

i agree its genetics and luck.that girl did have alot of extra skin

[lulabellarama]

Mine was much the same as it was before, a bit flabbier perhaps.
Just keep your fingers crossed

[BATtillaTheSEVEREDHanD]

I had a few stretch marks after Dc1 and hardly any new ones after dc2. But I guess it is luck of the draw and what your pre-pregnancy figure was like and how much weight you gained etc etc.

[DorrisMcWhirter]

Straight after (and for a good few weeks!) the best way to term it is 'Jelly Belly', it is quite disturbing!
After that it kind of goes back to more or less normal but with an extra undefined quality
Unless of course, you end up having an emcs like myself, then you get the dreaded 'Apron'. Oh god, it's not good

[countrylover]

I used Ponds stretch mark massage cream (its not too expensive) every day last time and I didn't get any stretch marks. But I do think it's down to genetics more than potions.

However unsfortunately I did get loads on my boobs (I didn't put cream on them) so who knows....

My stomach returned to 'normalish' with regards to skin tone and size but I hate to tell you, it took a good year!

[Romy7]

and you will get asked when your baby is due.

despite dp pushing the pram by your side.

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

I got tonnes of stretch marks with DS1, they all grew an inch with DS2, this time I am no where near as big so haven't stretched them out yet.

My belly deffo felt better after DS2 than it did after DS1, but then I suppose I'd had a lovely firm belly go to jelly with DS1 whereas with DS2 it was more jelly to jelly!

FWIW, I don't think it makes any difference how big or small you were before getting pregnant, either way it's going to stretch, and if you are going to get stretch marks, then you will.

[conkertree]

i had quite a few stretch marks by the end - somebody on my antenatal thread called them tiger stripes and for some reason that made me feel better about them, but afterwards, they have faded away to almost nothing.

the extra skin is still there, but was fitting back into size 10 clothes after about 9 months (which I hadnt really fitted into for a few years before getting pg) so its not all doom and gloom.

didnt think too much about the extra skin cause i am pg again, and might have another after this so always thought i would wait till all babies are out and then do some focused tummy exercises - but not sure if it ever totally goes away. But then its your mark of what you've gone through - and i can cope with wearing bridget jones pants if i want to wear a tight dress in the future.

[NellyTheElephant]

I'd say mine went pretty much back to normal. 1st time round it took me a while to get around to losing the weight, but when I finally pulled myself together and joined WW and lost that last bloody stone (I put on about 4) I think I actually looked better than pre preg - certainly I'm still happy in a bikini on holiday. No stretch marks first time despite 4 stone weight gain. Second time I only gained about 1 and a half stone and was back to normal after 3 months. Had a couple of stretch marks that time though (WHY?????? when I was so much smaller!!) They soon faded to no longer noticable. I had sections so have a v small 'step' at the scar but to be honest you don't notice it. Tummy not exactly toned, but then I don't seem to go to the gym any more so it's hardly surprising. I never had any extra skin at any point though. Honestly, it's not all doom and gloom, you will return to normal, you might just have to work at it a little. Expecting no. 3 now and judging by the amount I seem to be eating I fear it'll be another 4 stone weight gain unless I pull myuself together. Oh well, weight watchers here I come.....

[MrsMattie]

Pre-pregnancy - had lovely flat smooth tum. Post first pregnancy, quite a few stretchmarks (although not horrific, and they have faded considerably) but an overhang from a c-section (grrrrrrr) and a bit of loose skin around my tummy button.

My stomach is OK in clothes, but naked it's not fantastic, really. Took a long time to come to terms with it, but almost 36 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy, I'm pretty Ok with it now

[babyinbelly]

The term Muffin top describes my belly post pregnancy I think!

[CarGirl]

1st time around my tummy was still fab there was no crinkly skin or anything. Then I had dd2 3lb heavier at 10lb6oz and even loosing all the weight and doing tummy exercises I have that horried wrinkly skin.

[thegreatscooscreamy]

I have crinkly skin too..and despite being lighter and thinner than I was before I had DD1 now, I still cant get rid of my little pot baby belly, no matter how hard I exercise or diet.Bloody annoying..

[SimpleAsABC]

Know two friends with tummies similar to that of girl on tv but also have auntie who hasn't a mark, guess all you can do is keep your fingers crossed. I'm sure they'd all agree it was worth it smug emoticon lol

[mamakim]

I was 7.5 stone before ds, gained 4 stone during pregnancy. Haven't got any stretch marks on tummy (got a few on backs of calves randomly) had a section and i can honestly say now my tummy is the same as it was before. I'm now pregnant with no2 so hopefully my tummy will go back to normal again. I think it's genetics. My mum has no stretch marks.

[kraftwerkkittie]

thanks peeps. i can't say i'm feeling too optimistic about what's going to happen. my bikini days are over, over i tell you sobs

BUT looking forward to meeting the wee mite that's the reason for all of this...

[bikerunski]

My DS is only 7 weeks old but my tum is OK apart from a wee bit of flab (I ate a lot of ice cream when I was pg!) and cs scar. I put this down to swimming and pg pilates throughout pg and rubbing bio-oil on every night. I may be right, I may be wrong, but that's what I did.