Sorry, it's not first post like this but pls help with my c-section shelf!!!

[Mrsbirchall]

I've been trying to think positive about this but every time I sit down and glimpse my tummy literally in folds or see my pouch in my bathroom mirror, I want to weep!

I'm now 4 months post emergency c-section and yes, my tummy is better than it was initially but I just feel like I'm stuck at the same point now and want to do anything to try and at least make my horrid saggy jelly belly less obvious to me!

I started postnatal Pilates 5 weeks ago and I do think it gradually may be helping and am also trying to watch what I eat more, after a year of not-caring (finished breastfeeding at 10 weeks)..

Any success stories or realities appreciated!

For info, I was size 6/8 before pregnant and always had an ok-tummy - I'm not talking washboard by any length but had decent tummy muscle strength and it was pretty flat. I walked a lot throughout pregnancy right up to 42 weeks overdue and am age 32.. So I don't believe it when people say that if slim beforehand then tummy bounces back as I am proof of the opposite!

Obviously being a mum surpasses my moaning - BUT I'm a woman, and one who always had hang-ups about my body and I'd like to be as proactive as poss to try and reduce this overhang!.. To me, even if I slimmed to size 6 again and carried on Pilates for few years, I can't envisage how that flap of skin over my scar can ever diminish?...

Thank you in advance!

Xx

No success story here but am in a similar position to you and keen to see if anyone has advice. Had EMCS 4 and a half months ago, still got about 2 stone to lose to be pre-pregnancy weight but absolutely nothing seems to be helping. Unable to do any strenuous exercise due to prolonged PGP and still breastfeeding. Tried reducing calorie intake but HV told me to increase to help baby with weight. I too get upset when looking at my tummy and still not fitting into normal clothes. All other new mums I know seem to be getting back to normal!

Try not to worry too much at this stage - honestly its still early days. I didn't lose a thing when I had my first until I stopped breastfeeding at six months, in fact think I was more hungry than ever, so was impossible to lose anything. It's true what they say - nine months to put the weight on, at least nine months to shift it. Yes I think some lose it quicker but think its probably luck/body type or something. Some will take longer. Just try to stay a bit active and over time I'm sure you will see an improvement. Obviously if you can do somethingPilates/swimming/ lots of walking it helps. I did buggy exercise once per week from week 6 with my first, and didn't see any improvement at all for a long time, but then when I stopped feeding at 6 mths the weight came off very suddenly and i ended up smaller than pre pregnancy within a year. I too am 4mths following emcs and have the weight/jelly belly again but hopefully the same will happen again, but not going to worry for a little while yet. It will get better it just takes time.

Sorry forgot to say I lost 3 and a half stone (12 and half down to 9), and would not say im a sporty type and ordinarily found ut v difficult to even shift even a tiny amount of weight pre pregnancy)so there is hope.