emergency c section body

[happymum111]

Hi ladies,
I gave birth 10 days ago to a cracker of a baby of who love and adore with all my heart, and this may sound extremly selfish however I cant help but hate how I look now. I hate having pictures taken of me with the baby because I feel fat, stretched and ugly!
I had an emergency c section after 9 hours of labour, which im fine with however now im home and im begining to recover and get back to normal my self esteem is getting me down, I seem to have no confidence at all!
My belly hangs over itself, which im not sure is normal at all, however its all excess skin and not at all attractive! My stretch marks seem to stare at me in the mirror, and my scar is nowhere to be seen with the extra hanging skin!
I have no idea how someones body should look like after a c section but I do not feel at all attractive. How did you ladies deal with self esteem and confidence after a c section, is it normal to have this extra skin and will it start to get tighter and not sag over my tummy. How long before I get to my pre pregnancy body? I have never been slim, but I was a size 14... will I ever be this size again? I am walking once a day with the pram and trying to do as much as I can throughout the day without over doing it, which is a tricky balance.
Thankyou ladies in advance :)

[Nevercan]

10 days is way too soon for your body to recover from the c section. My additional weight came off slowly and I don't have an overhang where the scar is now. Just enjoy baby for now xx

[SoMuchForSubtlety]

I didn't have a c section but my tummy took several months to start to return to normal and even now 11 months later it's not 100% back to what it was, but it's much much better. Check exercises for diastasis recti to make sure your stomach muscles knit back together but don't give up - you can feel like yourself again! Just be kind to yourself, your body has made a new person, it's not a small thing to recover from.

[RockCrushesLizard]

That's totally normal!

I was a 14 before pregnancy too, and had an EMCS.
Two weeks later I looked awful. Big flap of skin etc. in fact the midwife told me in hospital to pop a tissue under the 'overhang' to keep it dry - charming expression! So I'm sure it's the case for most women.

And yes, loose skin, vivid stretch marks etc.

DD is now two, and having done very little exercise, and being only mildly food conscious, I'm a stone lighter than pre-pregnancy (thanks breastfeeding!), the stretch marks are practically invisible.

There is still a small shelf/ bulge above the scar, maybe an inch or so farther out in profile than the scar itself, and the skin isn't as toned as previously - it's a bit jigglier if that makes sense.

But invisible once I have pants on, and totally unnoticeable in clothes. I think I look better than before.

It took time is all - probably a year or so. Although if I had ever done any exercise that may have helped!

Give it time - there's no reason to despair

[DPotter]

10 days to tooo too soon to be worrying about what your tummy looks like. I had an emergency caesar and things take a good 9 months to get back to 'normal'. Even if you had delivered vaginally 10 days would still be too too soon to worry about your body's shape. Please enjoy your baby, rest as much as you can, let others help you. Your body has undergone the most amazing transformation and it's still happening.
Congratulations on the birth of your baby.

[mrsdimmock]

I had emergency c section & what you describe is normal. Ignore it and enjoy your baby, it will get better over time, i promise. Mine still sticks out over the actual scar but as someone else said, only by about an inch.. invisible with pants/clothing.

[happywithit]

congratulation, i had 2 c sections, don't worry about it now, its just been 10 day, give it at least 6 months if you are breast feeding.
that's the last thing to worry about, just enjoy your time with your baby.

[PrimroseEverdeen]

Congratulations on your lovely baby! I was a 10 with a flat (but not toned) tummy before pregnancy. After my c section my tummy was huge with red stretch marks. My ds is six months now and I am 2 pounds heavier than pre pregnancy but a size bigger. All weight is around my tummy but it looks so much better and I feel much more like myself. Your tummy will go down massively over the next few weeks/months. Be kind to yourself. Your body has done an amazing thing. You have just had open surgery. You will need time to recover! Enjoy your little one!

[XiCi]

Conventional wisdom says 9 months up 9 months down and that was pretty much spot on for me. Had an emergency c section too, everything back to normal, scar virtually invisible, no overhang but it did take those few months so don't panic.

[lovingmatleave]

1st c-section I was left with a tiny scar below bikini line. Faded to almost nothing, no overhang. took 6 months to get back to normal weight. Left with silver massive stretchmarks though which are still here 10 years later. 2nd c-section 2 years ago had few complications which may have resulted in the need for a bigger incision. Anyway the scar is big and I have been left with an overhang and some hard scar tissue. it will never go. I am slim but find things like some kinds of skinny jeans and hipster style pants uncomfortable. Oh and have a whole load of extra stretch marks and crumpled tummy skin.

Hope I haven't upset you! Just being honest. 10 days is really early though. I was still in hospital with first at 10 days and almost bed bound at home 2nd time round.

[lisam78]

I have also had 2 c-sections (one emergency, one elective). the first time I looked at my tummy in the mirror in the hospital I burst into tears - huge scar, big saggy tummy, overhang, the works. don't know what I was expecting to see, but I was shocked. it does get better, just give it time. after my second child I started exercising and am now lighter than I was pre-installed children. I do however have a slight overhang, despite losing all the weight. apparently nothing will reduce this so I will just have to live with it. it's really only noticeable to me, and if I am wearing anything tight, I just wear some control underwear to smooth it all out, works a treat! be kind to yourself, enjoy your baby, and try not to worry

[SomethingOnce]

Blimey, give yourself a break!

That nine months thing somebody said upthread has a lot of truth in it.

Congratulations on your lovely baby x

[NotTodaySatan]

Congratulations on your baby OP

I had an emergency section with DC2 16 weeks ago. I have been left with the c section pooch. Honestly? It made me all the more determined to get the extra weight off. In the first few weeks after birth it would TMI ALERT get sweaty and start to smell . I was considering a tummy tuck.

I've lost most of the weight now and am doing stomach exercises to try and minimise the apron effect. Now it really doesn't bother me much and will act as a great motivation to keep the weight off.

[AnotherGirlsParadise]

This thread has made me feel so much better - my DS2 is 4mo, I had an emergency C section and my tummy looks awful. I've always had a bit of a belly no matter how slim I've been (that's where all the women in my family carry extra fat, dammit!), and now I have this horrendous flappy overhang that reduces me to tears whenever I see or feel it. I'm self conscious around DP when in bed, and I've looked up tummy tucks more often than I'd like to admit!

It's such a comfort to know that so many of you other ladies saw an improvement, given lots of time

[NotTodaySatan]

Anothers I even went for a mini consultation with a surgeon about a TT . He was quite abrupt and told me to go to the gym. At the time I thought he was rude but with hindsight I can see that he was right.

Why have expensive and painful surgery when diet and exercise can get you 90% there? Our bodies change when we have kids. It's something I've struggled with but now I"m beginning to accept it and make the best of it.

[leedy]

Chiming in on the "totally normal" side - I've had two C-sections and both times looked like a deflated balloon for the first couple of weeks. Child the younger is now two and my tum looks pretty much back to normal, has done so since he was about six months I think. Slightly squashy but I think that's just two pregnancies, being in my 40s, and a fondness for cake. Oh, and the scar is more or less invisible, just a thin pink line.

[Whippet81]

I had a c-section just over 6 weeks ago - my stomach is much improved please don't worry I'm nearly back in all my clothes - after 10 days I looked horrendous - it's a major op - you shouldn't be doing as much as you can just chill out a bit.

I want to lose another stone even though I'm virtually what I was to start with - I'm not pushing it though will get Christmas out the way.

I have stretch marks on my stomach - maybe they will fade maybe they won't but the amount of times I get my stomach out I'm really not going to get too concerned.

I know it's difficult but try not to worry just yet.

[SomethingOnce]

... and a fondness for cake

There's that quote - possibly Kate Moss? - that goes something like "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels". To which I would say, "You're choosing the wrong cakes, sweetie".

[Doje]

I agree with the others, all sounds totally normal. It took me about 7 months and a short period dieting to get back to my pre pregnancy size 12.

To feel better about myself I bought some new clothes that suited my new shape. They don't have to be expensive, but a couple of items in your wardrobe that make you feel good about yourself again. For me that was some jumper dresses I could wear with leggings early on, and then some jeans that fitted a bit later. M&S jeggings worked for me. They're about £20, so not too expensive, and will do me next time I get preggers!

[leedy]

Agree with getting yourself a few nice comfortable bits that fit now. I was BF so got a few nice BF dresses to wear with leggings, then some cheaper stretchy jeans plus BF tops that didn't make me look like I was still in maternitywear but fitted my newfound boobage.

Though do not run mad with your credit card when you think your size/shape has "settled". Signed, bought two pairs of v nice Toast jeans, wore each once, and then promptly dropped another dress size.

[nicelyneurotic]

I didn't have a c section but felt the same horror at my post-birth body. However, it all goes back to more or less how it was before naturally - especially with your first. Stretch marks fade to nothing after a few months too.

Have another look in 3 and 6 months time and you will be amazed at the difference.

[burnishedsilver]

I've had both types of delivery.
C section or not everyone's body is a train wreck after 10 days. The skin hasn't even started to shrink back. This stage is often called the fourth trimester. Give it time.

[santamarianovella]

10 days is still stoo early,please don't be too hard on yourself.

I had an emergency C-sec too, my tummy looked like I was still 6 months pregnant for the first 3 weeks, and I couldn't wear anything apart from pregnancy leggings,and dresses,but six weeks after birth,I was flat again,but needed toning,so I started with some Pilates,jogging and light workout,that does not involve vigorous abdominal training, 3 months later ,my tummy was completely flat and toned, my doctor couldn't believe it when I went for my checkup,

There is a set of workout,that helps with toning your abdominal,and it can be used as early as 7 days post surgery,ask your midwife about it,they are very helpful.
You will get back into shape, just give it some time,starting something too early can backfire,and cause muscle separation.

[bakingtins]

I think there's a need for more honesty about how awful most women feel immediately post-birth, it was a horrible shock to me, having been so focused on the birth I hadn't given much thought to afterwards. It does all get better with time, and there are exercises that can help, but at 10 days I'd do something else that boosts flagging self esteem as it's too early to be concentrating on your tummy. Get your hair cut, have a massage or a manicure.
I have been using Mutu system after my third pregnancy has wreaked havoc on my abdomen. The advice there is nothing except a daily walk for at least 6 weeks (and I think she advises 10 weeks for Csection) then gentle start to core exercises. I'm 6 months down the line, half a stone over pre-preg weight and abdomen not too bad. I'm just starting core classes at my gym.

Enjoy your lovely baby, everyone will be too amazed at the wonderful thing you produced to be worried about your tummy.

[RonaldMcDonald]

3 c/s later the ist a crash c/s I have a grim gut compared to pre bambinos
however I am a 10/12, knew it might happen and have 3 lovely kids

i look great in clothes except for a non arse and I think great out of clothes
i just have a grim gut

you are just hatched...it will improve and your relationship with it will improve

[RonaldMcDonald]

I also remember being horrified by how soft and jiggly my gut was after birth
that really does change, honestly