Cosmetic issues after second section

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

I had an EMCS with first baby, due my second in July and will be having ELCS. Despite a huge bump first time round, I recovered well and tummy was flat again within a few months, no overhang to speak of.

Am now concerned that I won't be as fortunate second time around, also not as fit this time due to lack of time (toddler and job!). Last time, I swam three times a week until 38 weeks.

I'm not hugely vain or stupid enough to think that two pregnancies don't leave their mark in some way, but would just like to hear from others who've had more than one section. Also is the section the cause for overhang, or is it just pregnancy that causes it irrespective of delivery method?

Thanks

I've had three sections and after my second my tummy was as good as after my first and no overhang.

Now if anyone can tell me what it's like after three I'd love to know. DD1 is nearly six weeks and I still look six months pregnant with a lovely overhang.

Oh anomaly! Thanks for your honesty. I only plan to have two so maybe I'll be lucky.

Six weeks is early though, pretty sure I was still a bit baggy at that point!

Hi both, just thought that you might be interested in reading a thread that I started a few weeks ago concerning similar issues.

I'm heading for my second baby, but first section, on Thursday (eek!) which prompted my question. Found that I got some really interesting and useful feedback. Here's that link:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1416347-Curious-about-so-called-cesarean-overhang

Thanks Lunar, v interesting. I'm fine after one section, just wondering if two tips you over the edge!

Haven't read your thread but I just wanted to say it sounds as if you received a lot of negative comments about C-sections. Of course it is major surgery but it is also routine these days so the surgeons carrying them out are incredibly skilled. I was horrified when they told me I needed one, but the recovery was so much faster than I had thought.

I also have two friends who suffered horribly during vaginal deliveries, and have read some pretty gruesome stories on here about tearing leading to double incontinence. As someone on your thread said, there's no easy way to have a baby!

You're welcome for the link. I know we're asking slightly different questions, but I though that some of the replies on my thread relates to concerns you have. A couple of ladies that they had a CS 'type' overhang, yet had never had a CS!

There seemed to be a consensus between Pre-preg weight and fitness and more concertedly, skin elasticity. A lack of stretchmarks is a good sign of skin elasticity (or at least, this is coming through on the thread). I haven't got stretchmarks from either pregnancies, so I'm really hoping that I escape a CS or having-had-two-babies overhang!! I love my pregnancy bump, but I'm not sure where it's all going to go (other than down) once babba pops out!

And thanks for your words of encouragement about CS. I won't hijack this thread with what's been going on with me (besides, if you're interested, you'll find it in my posts on the linked thread) but it has been quite horrible to feel that I ought to have ELCS, yet be told by the obstetric team that I should VB and 'we'll see if you damage your back even more: you might or might not' whilst this has been backed up by the worst possible CS statistics vs. stats for the best type of normal vaginal delivery. Total head-spin! And indeed, there is certaint no easy way to have a baby x

Best wishes and congratulations to you for your summer baby x

I didn't have a section, I had 2 vaginal deliveries

I put a lot of weight on in my first pregnancy and had dd and got pregnant again with my second child ds when dd was only 4-5 months so I hadn't lost the weight.

When my youngest was about 3 I realised I better do something to lose the weight as I had had to buy a whole new work wardrobe (because I was 4 sizes bigger!) and had bought cheap stuff thinking I would lose the weight and hadnt .

So roll on a few years (ds now in yr 6!) and I have almost all the weight (around 15kg) BUT I have sort of excess saggy skin around my tummy that hangs over like a pouch in the front.

So to answer your question, no I don't think the matter of delivery matters but if you've been overweight for a while, I think when you lose that weight, the skin doesn't miraculously disappear sadly!

I have lost almost all the weight

Took a year but yup, great little overhang

Think it's time to put the chocolate biscuits away!!

Ive realised I'm far less fit this time around. Had to walk into town yesterday and my stomach muscles were really aching. Not a good sign!