2nd EMCS two weeks ago - still looking hugely pregnant?

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I had my second baby by EMCS just over two weeks ago, and I am horrified to still look at least 5 months pregnant. He was a big baby - 9 lb 5 oz - and I was carrying him all in front. I am a very short and petite size 10/12 normally.

I definitely don't remember being this swollen after I had DC1. I also haven't had any afterbirth contractions this time round like I had with DC1, which were incredibly painful, but at least I knew that my uterus was shrinking back.

I stopped BFing after 4 days for a variety of reasons, which maybe isn't helping the shrinking either.

My stomach muscles that go up and down have also separated either side of my belly buttons and teh dr that performed by CS said that I am at risk of a herniated bowel, as that is what is now in the middle of my middle (if you get what I mean) as my muscles have separated so much either side.

I feel rubbish and my middle looks an absolute wreck. I am terrified that I am going to be left with my middle looking like this forever. I am also carrying rounf an extra stone and a half colmpared to my pre pregnancy weight which is depressing, but I know that if I put my mind to it, I will be able to lose that weight when I am feeling stronger.

Help.

Perfectly normal.

Hi, my background was very different with DC1 (VB, no complications such as you describe) but I also continued to be enormous for some time after DS's birth. My brother came around two weeks later and did a proper double take before asking when the next one was due... he's not usually that tactless! I was also still massively bloated (hands/feet/face) and carrying LOADS more weight than pre-pregnancy.

I can't remember exactly how long it lasted so won't try to guess, but within a year I was back to my old size (and within a couple of months looking something like my normal self to other people).

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes. Do you really think this is normal? I am conforted luckysocks that you feel that you were in the same position. I suppose I am just comparing how I look now post=pregnancy with how I looked at the same stage post my first pregnancy, and its not favourable! My middle looks a complete wreck and I am really self conscious of it. I know its not what I should be focussing on, and I know that its early days, but its hard to ignore, even though DS2 is absolutely gorgeous and I know how lucky I am to have him.

Hey Happy it sounds like you're describing 'abdominus rectis diastasis'. I obviously don't know the extent of the separation as a I'm not a health professional, can't advise you exactly, but there is a book available from amazon by Chrissie Gallagher-Mundy called Caesarean Recovery. it details post-natal stretches and exercises designed for the post-section Mom to help engage the lower abdominal muscles and gives tips and advice for how to do those exercises if you have diastasis.

I've read that if the separation isn't too bad - and if you don't overdo it - the muscles can go back given time. Maybe get your GP to examine the extent of your diastasis at your 6-week check? It's still really early days.

Good luck, and congratulations on your new baby

Oooooh - a name for it! Thanks. I will look into buying the book and mention it to the GP too. Its hard to ignore. I can imagine walking into the GP's room for my appointment and he/she openly saying "and what has happened to your middle?!"!