Impact on your body of 4 births (or more)

[paddypants]

Am about to have DC no.4 and am wondering how those who have given birth a number of times have found the effect to be of each additional birth on their body.

Not so much weight gain or change of body shape but more so issues like pelvic floor strength and core strength.

Having suffered a bad cough for last couple of weeks I am all to aware now how weak my pelvic floor muscles are and it concerns me.

I don't want to feel that I will be entering middle age weakened physically and more susceptible to certain problems.

Do you feel your body has recovered well and if so, has anything in particular helped in your opinion?

[Phillipa12]

Ive had 4 all by section, smallest was 9lb, heaviest was 11.6lbs. I have had to really concentrate on my core strength and building up my muscles around my lower back as that is most definately a very weak spot now. Considering their weights and the sections i do count myself lucky in that my lower back problems are kept in check with regular exercises.

[mummabearfoyrbabybears]

I was 37 when I had dc4. Can't say I e noticed too much difference in my pelvic floor, core strength or recovery time etc. The only noticeable thing is my periods are a lot heavier but my migraines have gone.

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

I don’t know if this thread qualifies as a zombie thread but I’m placemarking nonetheless.

I have 2 DC and had a dream CS recovery first time and feel that someone has totally fucked up on the second so I have to lose weight and get fit to be able to properly assess my fitness vs damage done vs ability to have any more children safely.

[Montsti]

I’ve had 4 c sections (my last 8 months ago at 41)...and I feel fine but I’m quite fit and a small build. I’ve managed to get back to my original weight fairly easily particularly after babies 3 & 4 but maybe due to being so busy with the others...the skin around my belly button is very crinkly butother than that I’ve got no side effects per se...I breastfed all 4 for 7 months and my boobs have thankfully shrunk (& drooped!!) but they were far too big for my physique before kids so not a problem...

[HangersOn]

Last child of 4 born 14 years ago.
I ended up having an abdominoplasty because of split muscles and umbilical hernia. To strengthen my core as I age. It was a tough operation, but I’m glad I went through with it.
Now I do Pilates to strengthen my pelvic floor - you need a good teacher to make sure you’re doing it right.

[franktheskank]

I've had 8 and I feel fine, just remember your exercises and take a multivitamin so you don't get run down x

[Mum2fourrugrats]

I have 4 children. 3 natural births and the last one a ceserean. Had nothibg but problems after the ceserean. Pelvic floor felt weird. I would never have one again. Natural all the way if possible.
I never noticed any change in my body having 3 . The forth I did.

[Hideandgo]

I’ve had 4 pregnancies and births in 5 yrs. I was fine after the first three but this last one did me in. I could barely walk or move for weeks after he arrived with sore pelvis, back, hips etc. I feel like it really took its toll.

[MercuryRising]

JacintaJones can I ask about your sections. Was the recovery any worse after 3? I have had 3 sections and I'm pregnant with dc4. I am really nervous that the recovery this time will be a lot more difficult.

[steamboatwilly123]

5 babies, all vaginal births. Pelvic floors fine as I've been a bit militant about exercises since first born. Breastfed 4 out 5 for various lengths of time, boobs look pretty much the same as before (but they weren't that great before so...) My back is buggered though, have 2 dehydrated discs and a herniated one and my stomach muscles have never knitted back together again (well at least feels that way).

[SleightOfMind]

4DC, all VBs, last one when I was 39.
Flattish but crepey-skinned belly and some pelvic floor weakness. Boobs ok despite feeding them all till around 18mnths/2yrs.

One lower back issue from having to give birth in stirrups in theatre and midwife doing something horrific to me after the birth 😡

[JacintaJones]

I've had five by c section.
Vagina/pelvic floor fine as you would expect, however babies three and five were 8.10 and 8.15 at birth and gave me the most horrid haemmorhoids which still flare up from time to time.

I breastfed all five but my boobs have held up so well that I'm often asked if I've had a boob job. I think genetically we just have big, firm boobs in our family as my mum's are the same.

Despite being a size ten my stomach is decimated from the navel down to the scar. No stretch marks its just a jiggly mess.

[Alright1613]

4 VBs here, no issues so far but youngest is only 2.5. I do have to brace myself to go on a trampoline and my stomach is liable to bloating but overall i’m fine.

My poor breasts, however, are a bloody flat pancakey mess.

[Babyroobs]

I've had 4 births ( 1 C-section, 3 VBAC's ). It definitely takes it's toll on your body and pelvic floor. I also have back problems, not sure whether that's to do with 4 pregnancies or 30 years of Nursing or both. Boobs are saggy from years of extended breast feeding.

[lljkk]

I don't have prolapse.
I don't dash for loo any more often now than when I was 20.
I had back problems 7 yrs before I had kids so I guess core was shot before. Doesn't seem worse now.

[kaz86]

I have had 3, and my bladder, unterus and bowel fall when I cough 😱😢, also have a small rectocele :/.
That's after 3 🤷🏼‍♀️. All natural needed stitches after them All.

[MelanieSmooter]

I’ve had 4, all by 25. In all honesty I think my pelvic floor is healthier now than it was at 18! I had confidence issues as a child that I definitely no longer have.

[FlurkenSchnit]

I have 4 and had 3 vaginal births and a section. I developed diastasis recti after the middle 2, severe enough for physio and wasn't improved at all by said physio. My last baby weighed 10lb 15.5oz and my abdominal muscles are definitely kaput now - was classified as "extreme" diastasis recti by hospital but apparently "there's nothing to be done" for me surgically...
My pelvic floor, however, is in tip top shape which is good news - is just a shame about my ruined abdominal area!

[HanaK88]

I had 5, vaginal births, all during my 20s and seem unscathed! Got away pretty lightly with stretch marks too although my boobs have seen much better days. I think the ageing process in general has a lot to do with it.

[paddypants]

Thanks all

Interesting to hear different accounts. I had never heard of a well woman ultrasound - that sounds useful, if even just to push myself into seeing necessity of pelvic floor exercises daily. It's like flossing my teeth - I know I should do it but just can't ever be bothered. Having this cough though has really opened my eyes to what it would be like dealing with the incontinnce on a daily basis.

[Shouldileavethedogs]

5 babies and wanna piss myself when walking. Hold it hold it hold it. I'm 45. I have a 23 year old 19 18 1 and 2. It's the 1 year old ironically that fucked my body.

[directsunlight]

Oh I have a jelly belly too. Didn't think to mention it, because I should think a firm, toned belly after six children would be quite the aberration. ;) I have big babies, as well - 2 just over 10lbs, 3 9lbs+ and one 8lb-er. Nobody's midsection can recover from that.

[JaneEyre70]

I've had 4 pregnancies and 3 live births (1 stillborn at 26 weeks). I had 2 normal deliveries and 2 c sections. I've had terrible issues with my back, bladder and bowels - urge incontinence and adhesions like to let their presence be known. I've got a horrid overhang, and a lot of faded stretch marks. I was advised not to have any more after my 4th as my uterus was shot to pieces, so was glad in a way the decision was made for me as I don't know when I'd have done so. But I wouldn't change any of it apart from having lost more weight in between each baby!! They were all worth it, thankfully .

[Afreshcuppateaplease]

Ive had four weighing between 7lb8 and 8lb9

Never torn or had any stitches

My pelvic floor is fine

I am slim but my stomach is like jelly

[ProfOf]

I had 6 children by age 32. 53 now and no child bearing related health problems. Do pelvic floor exercises most days. I think, as a PP says, depends on many factors so not really possible to generalise.