To think it’s physically impossible for some women (me) to regain their pre-pregnancy size and shape?

[HarryHarry]

Did your shape change permanently after pregnancy? I used to be a UK size 10. After I had my baby I lost all the weight (about 30 pounds) quickly but found that I was struggling to fit into some UK size 12 jeans/trousers. I don’t think I am carrying any extra fat - it’s as if my hip bones themselves have expanded. Is that even possible? Is there anything I can do to be thin again? Or am I stuck like this forever? Give me some hope please! I hate dwelling on “trivial” stuff like this when I should just be grateful for my beautiful, healthy baby, but it’s really getting me down. I feel so old and frumpy and I never thought that would happen to me.

Well... it will have changed, yes.

Some things are reversible. Some not. How long has it been since you gave birth?

It took me a year to really lose all of my baby weight. Some things will never look the same again. My boobs hang just a little bit lower, my stomach isn't as smooth as it was, I have shrink marks...

I found adapting to it all quite difficult really. I dont think its shallow or trivial. I think it's quite an adjustment on top of everything else you've had to adapt to.

Some things you may have to accept won't change back. If it's your hips, you may have to start dressing a little differently for your new shape. Annoying but if your shape has changed, that's the best way to adapt to it. Buy new things that flatter your new shape.

Some of it may be more mental work. I love my shrink marks now. They remind me of my pregnancy and that lovely feeling of having DS move and kick. It took some mental work to get to that place though.

Some of it may just need more time to return to as it was before.

Yep. My shape is different. I had twins, they are 2.5 now. My hips are wider, my ribs are wider and I still have diastasis recti which means my stomach a mess. I’m adjusting to it!

Also, weird things like ever since all the pregnancy foot swelling, my feet are permanently dry and cracked. Random chin hairs. Hunched back after so much pumping - can’t fully straighten my back if I try.

I’ve decided it’s not ageing that wrecks your body, it’s having kids. I was 34 when I had them and had no wrinkles, was pretty much in proportion, etc. I’m very different now but I grew two kids at once so hardly surprising!

My ribs were the smallest part of me - not so much now! Hoping they go back

I returned to previous weight within 1 year post birth. Couldn't get back into my tops... this was despite now doing HIIT training also to help tone and something I'd never done pre pregnancy. Completely different shape on the top half, suspect after number 2 completely different shape on bottom

It's a bit like puberty. You don't expect to go back after that. Same for pregnancy. It changes you. Some people have less noticeable changes than others. But it's a major body change.

My rib cage is now asymmetrical. My belly has two caesarian scars. My pelvic floor is not the same, despite all the care and exercises. It's all good, I just had to adjust to my new state of being.

In my case my body will never ever be the same! After 3 large babies my stomach skin is stretched beyond repair! Its wrinkled all over & my muscles tore & so I've got a permanent little pot belly! I'm slim but I'll never be the same shape I was before x

My rib cage is much larger. It makes me much much ‘deeper’ looking at me side on. I lost all of the weight that I gained during each pregnancy, but the biggest impact was on my rib cage —and it is a great shame that I have put two stone of that weight back on when DC are now 7yo—

Like you I was a size 10 before baby.. Now I'm this odd shape where I can't seem to find anything that fits properly.. All my old bras don't fit right yet I don't seem to be the nxt size up either.. Used to have a rather boyish shape and now I have a sort of overhang over my hips... Admittedly I haven't done much to get in shape (yoga once or twice a week is not enough) but I'm pretty sure ven if I did my shape will still be different. Im not overweight but I used to feel slim and now I feel a bit saggy..

I second feeling frumpy.. Even when I make an effort with nice clothes, doing my hair and make up, I still just feel I look a bit messy...

I’ve lost half a stone off my pre baby weight 11 months later. Gone from a 12 to a 10. Makes no sense otger then it bring muscle loss as I don’t work out like I used too. I look good (clothed).naked is another story. I’m just saggy. Loose skin everywhere. Feel like I’m wearing a fat suit.

I lost all my baby weight by eating healthily but still didn't seem to have my shape back.
A couple of years later I joined a gym and had pt 3 times a week and my shape was better than my pre pregnancy body!
I have always been a size 12 in jeans since I was a teen (wide hips) but after doing the pt at the gym I got into a size 10!

After my first two I did get back to pre pregnancy weight and size (in all honesty stupidly quickly without trying - age had a major plus point for me). Third time just before he was born (ie about 15 minutes) I felt a huge clunk - my hips have never been the same since

Even when I lost a lot of weight afterwards and did get down to pre children weight my hips were SO much bigger than they were prekids at the same weight (I was wearing an 8-10 but it just seems a different shape) - I do gain weight easier now but I suspect thats my age

Sizing is a complete nightmare. I never know which to pick up to try or to order.

My rib cage, which was always bigger than average, seems to have expanded so I now have problems with bras. I’m forced to try on a 40B in m and s which is ridiculous because I am well within BMI (22.3) so I think there is an issue with bra sizing.
When I measure my rib cage it is 34.5in yet a 38B was too tight. Wtf