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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Has anyone "bound" their tummy post-birth?

34 replies

dinny · 16/07/2004 17:52

I heard this helps the tummy go flat quickly. Anyone heard of this/done it?

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hatter · 18/07/2004 16:42

saw the title and thought you were asking if anyone had found their tummy post-birth. think I found someone else's

webmum · 18/07/2004 13:44

bunny2 you're right, it's quite common practice in Italy, and you can buy some sort of belts made esepcially for the purpose in at Chemists'.

I was never convinced of the scientific basis though....and did not bother...I am quite convinced thate xercise is surely better!

Original poster
dinny · 17/07/2004 16:53

That sounds like a good idea, Wishingchair - apart from the fact I don't think my thighs would fit in my cycling shorts at the moment!

Interesting a mw suggested it!

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wishingchair · 17/07/2004 16:08

A friend was recently told my her midwife to wear cycling shorts to help the muscles find their way back again. She did recover v.quickly so maybe there is something in it.

But then again, no one suggested it to me and my stomach muscles had separated meaning I had to go to a physio for a few months after and do lots of gentle exercises to get them back together again.

Maybe I'll try it with my second. If and when I get pg for the second time

sponge · 17/07/2004 13:52

Ah but Kif, presumably your combats aren't covered in paint and alphabetti spaghetti within minutes of going on clean .

Kif · 17/07/2004 13:34

Is anyone else expressing their fashion frustrations on their babes? I notice that Dd doesn't wear the same outfit twice in a row whereas I've been in the same pair of combat trousers 10 days straight. Methinks time to start shifting the flab... tomorrow

suedonim · 16/07/2004 21:53

Boudicaa, I had my first 29 yrs ago and also had to lie on my tummy!

I don't know whether binding helps - I've heard that binding means your muscles don't have to do any work so you end up even saggier.

My mum tells the tale of her Grandma being appalled at mum's developing bust at an early age. She told her that bosoms had to be bound to stop them growing!!

Original poster
dinny · 16/07/2004 21:46

Could be, Kif.

I'm going to do it - if I remember in the hazy post-delivery days! Probably will be the last thing on my mind!

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boudicca · 16/07/2004 21:36

We could try and start a fashion for bustles to make a comeback -- then pull offending flab to the back and 'Voila'

Kif · 16/07/2004 21:34

Dd 15 wks - s'pose too late to make a difference? Or is this the beginign of a new support group. 'Bind your tummy with Dinny' if you like .

Original poster
dinny · 16/07/2004 21:33

Ha ha Bunny2, cleaning catalogue! What a strange place for it to be! Do you think a sarong would do the job at all? When are you due? Let me know how you get on!

I know, Boudicca, just want to help it along a bit!

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boudicca · 16/07/2004 21:17

I think excercise is probably the best way of losing a tum!how about Pilates or yoga?

bunny2 · 16/07/2004 20:41

Funnily enough, my Mum suggested this last week. Apparently very common practice in Italy too. My Mum has seen something in the Clean-Eazi (sp??) catalogue which can be used for this purpose. Dont know why it is in a cleaning products catalogue though. But yes Im going to give it ago after this sprog pops out, I have never had a flat tum since ds was born 4 yrs ago.

Kif · 16/07/2004 20:41

My mum did it - she's Russian. She thought it helped 'show' the muscles where you want them to go - otherwise you'd be skinny and saggy.

I couldn't be bothered. I actually bought an elasticated support belt thingy from a health shop (actually for back pain - but same idea), but found it v. sweaty and awkward... don't know iof i will regret not persevering.

boudicca · 16/07/2004 20:20

to be sure I'm not from the Emerald Isle!I had my first 2 Dds at St.Theresas in Wimbledon,it's closed down now.

Original poster
dinny · 16/07/2004 20:17

Are you Irish (the nuns...)?

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boudicca · 16/07/2004 20:11

Thank you Dinny

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dinny · 16/07/2004 20:09

It's great to see you on here!

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boudicca · 16/07/2004 20:07

53 please don't throw me off the site!I have still got one at home!(arsy Dd3)

Original poster
dinny · 16/07/2004 19:56

How old are you, Boudicca, if you don't mind me asking?

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boudicca · 16/07/2004 19:48

and my Dm insisted that I should wear a 'girdle'after having babies,I didn't tho (it wouldn't have seemed right somehow with the Biba stuff!)

boudicca · 16/07/2004 19:37

Yep,sure did,andd drifted off for a couple of hours if we were lucky!The nuns were most insistent on it.

Original poster
dinny · 16/07/2004 19:33

You had to lie on your tummy, Boudicca?

Don't think it has to be tightly bound - just enough for support so it can shrink back. That wouldn't be dangerous, would it?

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Lorien · 16/07/2004 19:30

I live in Malaysia where many women bind their tummies after birth with this kind of cheesecloth material. You need someone to wrap it round you from just below your breasts down to your pubic bone, and then tie it on tight. I tried it after having ds2, but only did it for two days. Its quite tight and I think its only real value is to remind you to keep pulling in your tummy muscles as it is a tad uncomfortable. It also makes you sit up straight which is probably a good thing.
Anyway, it was too much hassle for me. But women round here swear by it, and two years on I still have a saggy tummy, so maybe I should have persevered? Lorien

boudicca · 16/07/2004 19:26

Oh my goodness that's exactly what we had to do when I had my Dd's1&2!!I must admit the 10 days in hospital were bliss,I often think back to those few brief days with much affection!