Please let me know if you got extra skin overhang/apron on top of your Cesarean Section scar? Yes or No?

[PJen]

Hello all of you who had a elective or emergency section. I just want to get a realistic idea of section overhang or apron and if it is a universal thing that everyone gets or is it luck (determined by surgeon's skill set?). Please help me understand this as I am carrying a breech/transverse baby and will discuss the section with consultants and want to understand the reality from mom's side that have been through it. Thanks xoxox

lol leoniedelt!

My overhang is worse when I'm at a lower weight - the extra fat sort of fills it out a bit and makes it less hangy. I don't know if anyone else finds that. Might be due to the size of my babies though rather than the c-section itself.

My mum has an 'apron' and she didn't have c sections and was normal weight before and after pgs. Had big babies and stretched tummy. Flat after the births, but then stretched out again (lost elasticity) when she got older (not fat, just ex stretched skin).

2 elec CSs, no overhang. V minor bulge if you look v closely.

Was slim pre- and post-preg; I walk everywhere

I've had 2 cs's - first one nearly 7 years ago, 2nd nearly 5 years ago and yes I have an overhang - does get smaller if I lose weight though! During the first cs they cut through a major nerve and now after nearly 7 years it's weird as I am getting some nerve regeneration so i have some feeling again - strange!!!

I looked it up just now and I was wrong - it's 3-5 pounds apparently not half a stone www.butterflybabies.co.uk/1st-trimester.htm

I absolutely agree that if you are happy with yourself then that is a good thing - I suppose I got a sense that some people were worried about regaining their pre-pregnancy shape which seemed to me like people who weren't happy with the changes that pregnancy etc inevitably presents. If you are happy striving to maintain your shape then yes, sure, that happiness must be a good thing for all concerned.

Ultimately though I do think you get dealt the cards you get dealt - there are things you can do to try to influence the outcome but whether you the birth you want or whether you end up with an approximation of the body you had before is to some extent out of your control.

I had no control over the fact that I had a very large multiple pregnancy, that I got SPD and was unable to move for several months. I could, and did, control my eating (because I wanted my babies to be healthy, but it would have been equally valid if I had been thinking about myself too), but I don't think that influenced the outcome in terms of my looks very much.

Of course we are all individuals, but my personal experience is that your physical and emotional identity goes through a tremendous change when you become a mother and my personal opinion is that it's better not to fight it because it's a struggle you will lose.

If you keep your calm by going to the gym then great for your child. Or if you have been lucky enough not to carry too many physical scars from your pregnancy and birth - fantastic. But if not, it's not really something to get hung up about.

The other point was I totally respect the OPs right to ask the question - she's information gathering to help her make a decision about what kind of birth to go for. As part of that you will weigh the pros and cons to mother and child. But ultimately you might not have a choice about what kind of birth to have. Like everything in motherhood, a lot is out of our control. And I'm sure everyone here would put their babies' needs first.

Yes.

And I was slim before and am slim now, and I had a smallish baby (6.8 lbs).

I can't possibly compete with some of the punishing regimes on here, but I weigh the same now as I did before I got pregnant, maybe a tad less.

So it's down to luck, I'm afraid.

I did after ds1 who was elcs (despite returning to my pre-preg weight of 8 st). After ds2 I have absolutely no overhang and you almost can not see the scar. (Only returned to my pre-preg weight with ds2 whilst breastfeeding, since went up again ). It could be due to the all female operating theatre team with ds2, who were determined that I would have a "nice scar", or it could be due to my extra lardy-ness. I'm not sure.

No overhang here. After DS1 I went back to my prebaby body. After DS2 I'm still hanging on to some weight and I don't think it will look quite the same. No overhang, but a little bulgy on one side. Both EMCS and done well I think. Although it probably is just down to luck and genes, as are stretchmarks, propensity to keloid scarring, etc.

My sister-in-law has a huge apron although she had two vaginal deliveries.

Is this your first PJen? Don't worry too much, it really doesn't seem to matter too much after you have your baby in your arms.

It is amazing how it is different from one person to other. It is motivating to read that not everyone gets it and there doesn't seem to be a pattern really.... Maybe it is luck... But thank you all for responding. Yes it is my first baby but all my life I had a bit of pop belly although being slim till 5 years ago, when I worked out really hard and finally got rid of the damn belly fat and built muscles. Now although it doesn't change any feelings for my dearest LO that I am dying to meet and love, I am nervous to going back to square 1 or even worse: getting an overhang that can be only fixed with a surgery.... :( but I try to not think about it and stay positive. Fingers crossed....