How long after childbirth did your post-partum belly go?

[joeschmoesmum]

After a difficult pregnancy, I had a fantastic birth (painful, but short) and now have a wonderful little boy sleeping next to me. Beyond delighted, so please don't flame me for asking a "vain" question. I used to be a professional athlete (once upon a time about ten years ago) and still take care of my body and exercise. The pregnancy, which was tough, after 4 mcs, took its toll on my body and I am so happy to not be pregnant anymore.

However... when will I stop looking pregnant? I gave birth (vb) a week ago and I still look about 4-5 months pregnant. How long did it take you to lose the belly? I dont mean get back to pre-pg weight, I fully expect that to take a while, but how long before people stopped asking when babys due (iykwim)?

[caravela]

For me, breastfeeding has been better than any diet in the world - the weight just fell off. For the first 6 weeks dd was feeding so frequently that all I was doing was sitting on the sofa eating cake - certainly no exercise - but by week 4 I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans. But I've found getting the muscle tone back takes work as my abs became pretty feeble and even being no lighter than before made me look wobblier round the middle.

[Cullercoats88]

I should imagine age and previous figure completely dictates what your body will be like immediately after birth.

A few years ago my youngest cousin had a baby, she was 18 at the time, she literally 'snapped' back to prepregnancy figure the second baby was delivered.

I know if you breast feed this will burn major calories, as does just being mom. Your tummy may not feel the same to you but if you eat healthily and exercise there is no reason why you can't be a weight that you want to be!

[squizita]

Culler I suspect genetics/how you age does too though. Over all the mums I've known the "snapper backers" have ranged from 24-38. But all come from families where the women look trim/young apparently naturally! Likewise the reverse.

I was shocked that a flat, muscular belly actually maDe me more prone to muscle separation and damage. I don't know why but several hcp mentioned it. Thankfully minimal in the end.

[Bellerina2]

The belly was pretty much gone by the next day and within a week I was back in my pre-pregnancy clothes. But I put that down to the insane amount of exercise I did during pregnancy, including walking 1.5 miles every day during the last 2 weeks, and having a VERY hungry baby. But on the other hand baby never slept and believe me I'd have happily traded a few extra kilos for more than two hours sleep at a time!

[Frizz1986]

My mummy belly had gone within a few weeks and I was just left with the fat I'd put on.
Breastfeeding didn't make the weight drop off for me as I found I ate more because feeding made me so hungry. I was also warned by my (not nice) mw on day 4 that I had to eat extra to maintain supply and it was me under eating that caused my dd to drop weight (cue overeating in panic and shame even though now I know it wasn't my fault)
It took me until 6 days before her 1st bday to get to pre preg weight but I only started to think about losing weight when she was 4 months old.
Def a genetic thing. Some people snap back in weeks without trying and others take a lot longer (like me) or never get back to what they were.

[ohthegoats]

I lost pregnancy weight within 3 weeks - 14 weeks later I've still got a belly and wider hips, even though I'm 4kg lighter than pre pregnancy.

[Nocturne123]

Mine all went within 3 weeks . Due to the demands of 2 under 2 I find it hard to find time to eat and am now thinner than I've ever been ( too thin).

I'm trying to put a bit of weight on now 4 months after ds. There's a happy medium but my pregnancy tummy definitely disappeared within a few weeks .

I don't think it's vain , it's a massive change to the body you've been used to for so many years!

[Jackieharris]

With dc1 my tummy was back to normal by the time I left hospital. I had to hold up the maternity trousers I brought because they were falling down.

With dc2 I have an obvious baby bump several years later. I live in leggings as normal trousers don't fit my shape.

[blushingmare]

I think both times I stopped looking actually pregnant around 2 months (just make sure you keep your newborn with you at all times to avoid the awkward "when are you due"!). Probably back into my old clothes around 6 months ish, but didn't she'd the final pounds til between 9 & 12 months.

Might be back to pre-pregnancy weight, but my tummy will never be the same again though - sorry!

Congratulations on your baby!

[ampersandand]

Ds is 5 months old, my tummy is stretched and a bit saggy at the bottom. When I breathe in I look ok...
No way can I fit into pre preg jeans yet, but I'm getting there, 1 size up from them still.

[PoseyParker]

I think is also has a lot to do with body shape. I had a small waist but was curvy. After a year my waist was still an inch or so wider even though I was lighter. My body shape has changed which has been hard to a accept and both my ribcage and waist are wider. However I did then get pregnant after a year so I don't know if I would have eventually got back into my pre preg clothes I definitely suddenly seemed smaller after about 11 months.

[creambun2014]

Nearly everyone I know that dod a lot of exercise during pregnancy was back to normal within a couple of weeks once your uterus shrinks.

[HoggleHoggle]

My bump went pretty much instantly although stomach was very wobbly for months afterwards. Over a year later it's now more rounded than it used to be but the muscle tone is a bit better although not great. I think lifting a heavy child etc has done the work for me because I certainly haven't had time to exercise!

I was lucky enough that during pregnancy I was all bump though, so think that could be part of it. Doubt I'll get away with this much luck next time...

Congrats on your baby!

[weebairn]

My bump was gone a day or two but I'm probably still a size up from my normal 3 months on. I think 9 months on 9 months off is true for most women despite the stories on this thread. I eat very healthily and breastfeed and exercise 3 x a week (and did all three during pregnancy too!) - I also have a young toddler so am pretty active - sometimes you just have to be patient with your body.

For what it's worth, after my first baby, I eventually looked exactly the same as pre-pregancy, stomach and boobs and all, despite still bf the toddler. But it did take the best part of a year.

[weebairn]

I didn't have any stretch marks though, so I guess I'm lucky in other ways even I'm really quite jealous of the people who look like their old selves again in days/weeks...

[mrsmugoo]

I've just been able to finally do up my pre-preg jeans - 10 months.

But I did put on about a stone eating crap while breastfeeding.

[OllyBJolly]

Oddly enough, after my big baby DD2 at 9lb 12, I could wear my size 12 jeans a few days later. With DD1 at 7lb 7oz I carried over a stone for a year. In fact, when I stopped breastfeeding the extra weight just dropped off. (DD2 also breastfed)

[mrsmugoo]

I've shed half a stone since I stopped BF a few weeks ago. Just seems to be dropping off!

[weebairn]

DD2 (8 lb 9) was much bigger than DD1 (6 lb 14) and I was kinda hoping for the same OllyJolly… but I seem to be doing my usual, slow, steady, healthy weight loss… yawn. Good and healthy in the long term I guess, but still jealous of all the people who lose it instantly!

I am a size 8/10 normally and kinda wearing 12s at the moment. Well some of the 12s are getting a bit big. Still. i keep telling myself I'm being impatient and then reading about all these people who lose all the weight instantly and attribute it to breastfeeding or something!

I breastfed DD1 till quite late on in DD2's pregnancy. But I did get back to my normal size (including boobs) before getting pregnant again.

Slow and steady wins the race...