C section - worried about the damage

[Deckthehallswithboughs]

It is likely due to my medical background that I will be recommended or at least permitted to have a C section. I am frankly terrified of giving birth naturally for various reasons.

I think a C section is probably best for me but have read a lot about permanent stomach overhang - how likely is this to happen? Am I going to look pregnant forever if I have a C section? I'm sorry if this sounds vain but I worry that I will struggle with my self-esteem if I'm stuck with a permanent and obvious stomach deformity. Obviously I know pregnancy will have some effect on me physically... but I'm worried that if a C section causes permanent extra damage I will beat myself up about having had one. By the same token I don't think I would have the mental strength to deal with a 4th degree tear or traumatic birth.

Sorry, I hope this doesn't sound self-absorbed and silly and vain, I want my baby here safely more than anything but am likely to be vulnerable to PND and am trying to make the best decisions to avoid this.

Have a C section. The scar is as you know in the natural "smile" line and you will not be deformed after.

I had my first section a few years ago and having my second in a few days. The scar is almost invisible and I don’t have any overhang. The only time I’ve noticed any saggy belly is when doing a plank at my fitness classes with my belly actually hanging beneath me! 🤣 I think this is common to everyone who has had a child and the planks help! I certainly didn’t look permanently pregnant and it took me a just a few months to get to my pre birth weight and accompanying flat tummy. There’s a website somewhere where women have taken photos of their section scars at different stages after recovery. I found this very helpful to look at before my first section. However I can’t remember what it’s called - sorry. Maybe someone else will know or you could google it.

I had two csections within 14 months so yes, I have an overhang. I know I could get rid of it / reduce it though.

If you need a c section, go for it. Main thing is you and baby are safe ... Best of luck

I had a C-section when I was 18 (and very active lots of sports etc) and definitely have an overhang. I also have numb skin over the scar. However wearing clothes it isn't noticeable, please don't think of it as a deformity!

I had a c section 11 months ago which left me with quite a big overhang, to the point where I started calling it my 'kangaroo pouch'.
I'm due to have another baby in a few weeks time and although the top half of my belly is lovely and round and 'pregnant' looking, the lower half is saggy and doesn't look great, I'm not gonna lie.

I think it's very, very common to get the overhang. I do get down about mine sometimes but I know once this little bub is out, there are things I can do to minimise how big the 'pouch' is. Most women who are super slender and toned prior to getting pregnant and having a c section seem to spring back and have a stomach that resembles their former childbearing bodies, so if you're in shape now you might get lucky!

I've had three and have no overhang, but I've stayed a size ten throughout (due to lots of breastfeeding!) so I think that helped.

Despite bring quite slim, 2 c sections have altered the shape of my tummy and I'm a bit careful when wearing tight tops. Both were emergency c sections, and I'm happy to tolerate the scar in return for my children, but I thought I would explain that just to give a balanced view. I wouldn't choose a c section over a natural birth. You didn't day what your reasons are for wanting one, but if it's pain, might you consider an epidural? I had this prior to the c section and I liked that it left me pain free but very alert. Best of luck whatever you decide

Sorry just reread your op and noticed you mentioned medical reasons.

C section 6 months ago. Major overhang despite starting pregnancy out slim.

I've been working hard on improving it for the past 2 months and it's reduced slightly but is still a hideous mess

I'm very conscious o my body shape though as my exh used to say I was fat all the time despite being fit and healthy.
I would still choose a c section next time as I had a terrible time being induced without any progress.

Once my family is complete, i will do what I can to improve it with diet and exercise and if all fails, a tummy tuck

I have no overhang. But I used an abdominal binder daily for weeks after delivering. I’d highly recommend one of these.

I had an emcs with DS 3 years ago & was left with a very neat scar and my stomach went back to how it was before I was pregnant. I wasn't left with an overhang. Had elcs with DD 3 weeks ago & currently have a small overhang but my uterus: stomach is still shrinking back so hopefully it will go.

No one wants to be left with an overhang but it is s very small price to lay to safely deliver your baby. I found my elcs a great experience & have recovered much better this time round than i did after emcs.

Had two sections.

Yes, I have a slight overhang, if I wore something extremely tight around my belly you can see a slight right angle IFYSWIM.

Scar is neat though and has faded. I am slim, eat well and have no stretch marks but my stomach muscles stick out slightly - nothing to do with a section, that's due to being preggo twice! Small price to pay for DC'S.

A section is nothing to worry about, I had an EMCS then an ELCS. Both times were fine.

Hi OP, go for the c-section. Your reasons are your reasons. It doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. If you think it's better for you, go for it.
PND is difficult to prevent because there are many factors at play (family history, personal history, hormones, lack of sleep, lack of support, birth and postpartum complications to you or the baby etc).
What I'd advise is that the last month of your pregnancy, you cook and freeze batches of food + stock up on staples (long life milk, breakfast cereals, dry fruit, some tin food etc) for the equivalent of 2 months.
You may need more or less but it should cover the initial "hit".
Another task you can anticipate is birth announcement and thank you cards. Before you give birth, make sure you have all the names and addresses you need. Also ask a friend or family member if they could deal with the logistics of this task so you only have to sign at the bottom.

I had an EMCS and have no overhang. I actually ended up much lighter post-baby thanks to breastfeeding and lots of walking.

I now have a belly but that's cake-related. I wouldn't say a c-section affected my body any more or less than a straightforward vaginal birth would have done.

My surgeon said whether you get an overhang is due to the skill of the surgeon. He was quite arrogant but good. He explained something about the way he stitched up all the internal layers. Bleugh. But I don't have an overhang. I think weight and fitness also makes a difference.

CS about 18 months ago. No overhang. Stomach not as flat as it was but just the tiniest roundness that wouldn't put me off wearing something tight.

I think the point is that everyone is different and it's hard to predict how your stomach will fare! I was hugely worried about this too but luckily am ok. I have always had a strong core though and am slim (good genes!) so that helps.

What I will say though is that my stomach took longer to settle than I thought it would, I guess from the trauma of surgery. So be prepared for that and don't panic

I had a c section 8 months ago - no overhang at all although the scar is a bit wonky, it has healed nicely.

Stomach not as flat as it was but some of that is the maternity leave cake.

I had a C-section overhang to start with but a couple of years later and it has gone - although be warned, overall my belly has clearly been stretched out and then re-sized, it isn't the same as it was before carrying a baby! That is because of the bump, not the surgery, however.

I'd say that an overhang is not being "deformed", and would probably impact your body overall far less than a tear, prolapse etc.

I had 3 caesareans in 5 years, I have a tiny overhang, but it's so low it's in my pants if you see what I mean, I still wear a bikini, it will be fine

I had a section 7 months ago and no overhang; my scar is below my bikini line and in a way I’m quite proud of it as I consider it a battle wound from a very difficult pregnancy. The area around my scar was numb for a few months but is now normal. My tummy isn’t the same as before but that’s natural after pregnancy and I haven’t really done much exercise so that will improve it

Also don’t feel bad about worrying about it; I was really worried during my pregnancy about putting on weight. It didn’t change how much I wanted my baby and wanting to keep some resemblance of my pre pregnancy body when everything else is being turned upside down doesn’t make me a bad Mum

I have seen threads on this before (am having a c section for similar reasons to you) and people who have had natural births say they also have the overhang, so nothing to do with method of delivery but more to do with how fit/slim you are pre and post birth.

Just also wanted to say to the PP who recommended planks post-birth. This is the worst thing you can do if diastasis recti is causing the saggy tummy!!! Don't do anything that works the 'Peter Andre' muscles until your ab muscles have returned to their original position (I am a PT who specialises in pre and post natal).

Thank you everyone! Yes I wonder how much overhang women with natural births get...

I think I will stick with the Caesarean and hope for the best (and potentially seek assistance from allthecheese !).

My overhang was a good few inches long.
I was a small size 10 before becoming pregnant.
I did have a whopper of a 10lb baby though so maybe that contributed.

I've been majorly increasing exercise (walking 5-7 mikes a day for 5 days per week), but I haven't lost the over hand yet. I've been doing that for bout 8 weeks now.
It has reduced but it's slow.