Postpartum body - truthful answers!

[Sammie1990]

Hi all
just for context before having my baby I was a semi professional athlete who trained 5 times a week to a very strict regime with a nutritionist also. During pregnancy I put on 4 stone (I know!). I am now 8 months PP and 4lbs heavier than my pre pregnancy weight which considering the training I was doing I’m pretty cool with (im obviously aware I’ve lost some muscle). I am back in the gym and have been since 3 weeks PP. I train hard but obviously not like I did before. My diet is okay, could be better but not terrible.

so my question is is it possible to get your stomach to be how it was before kids? I’ve always had short big legs (which I hate but needed for my sport!) with a really flat toned stomach. This meant if I was going out I’d wear wide leg trousers/jeans with a crop top and feel like I looked quite good. However my stomach doesn’t stick out now but it’s not toned looking and a bit wobbly. If I up my cardio and sort out my nutrition can I make improvements to it or is this just what PP stomachs look like? I see a lot of women online who seem to have done it but that’s the internet after all!

interested to hear people experiences

thanks

Yes, mine looks like i never had kids even though they were big babies but I only gained 2 stone ish so not sure if its possible gaining as much as 4 stone,, thats a lot of stretching

Rude.

My friend is very similar to you. It took her about a year to get her pre baby body back but she looks incredible. She’s a machine and has a 6 pack. I admire your dedication!

I could potentially have abs if I didn’t like wine and crisps.

Sorry, me again! Out of curiosity are you following a training programme? There is a distinct lack of safe training guidance for women postpartum. I’m 6 months pp and scared to go too hard in the gym.

I actually look better than pre-baby!

I was a classic apple and had a belly I could never shift.

Breastfeeding has meant 9 months pp I’m the lightest I’ve ever been in my adult life, and my shaped has changed so my hips seem to be a bit wider.

Im honestly thrilled as I never imagined having a flat stomach, let alone that having a baby would make it happen.

I lost the baby weight once I stopped BF.
Tummy shrunk but wasn’t as firm as before.
My EMCS scar didn’t heal nicely at all…
Luckily, my bikini days are over anyway!

STOP PRESS! Human female's belly looks slightly different 8 months after having a baby - shock story!!

Honestly, get a grip! This is quite simply what happens, and it really and truly does not matter one jot!

Just enjoy that lovely baby! 😀You are a Mum now - you will not look exactly the same as you did before.

Why is that rude?

Yes it is possible and some women snap back into shape quickly without issue. I also have a couple of friends whose bodies are in better shape now than before they had their children.

Crop tops to show off your stomach? Who for? For yourself?

Ok, but I’m being “open” with my experience. I on the whole find adult women who have had children more attractive than those who haven’t though I’m female and heterosexual so possibly not the audience you’re keen to attract. I didn’t notice a drop in interest from men as a mum myself particularly. There’s nothing back pedalling or dishonest about that it’s just a different experience from your own.

“I’m surprised that’s what you would want” was the rude part. Surely women are allowed to want their pre baby bodies back?

It is possible, my stomach is the same as it was before, however I am quite tall and never had a big bump as there was plenty of space

Or not to? Or to be surprised someone would? I mean we are all allowed to feel and want as we please. You can be unsurprised if you like.

I’m lucky in that I’ve managed to be lighter than my usual weight from about 6 months PP with two babies. I think it’s a combination of luck, genetics, breastfeeding… and walking for miles and miles a day on mat leave. Never had such a flat stomach. Though I started to look a bit ridiculous after 7 or 8 months as lost too much weight for my frame and struggled to stop, and my face definitely looked worse for it.

On the other hand, I’ve now got pregnant twice at 14 months PP after stopping feeding, so unsure whether this effect would last without feeding and with returning to work. Or whether my luck will run after baby three!

Did I say I expected to look any different at 8 months PP? My question wasn’t is it normal my question was will it improve with time. I think you’re the one who needs to ‘get a grip’ if you have nothing better to do than be rude. Being a mum doesn’t mean you just resign yourself to looking like crap…not for me anyway.

Clearly you’re not someone who enjoys fashion.

Hi,

without sounding like a complete knob I kind of bypassed the ‘expert’ advice as many PTs who claim to be knowledgeable in postpartum training have actually just done a course and have no real experience of it, also every woman is different! Because I’ve been training for so long I went back to the gym at 3 weeks PP and started very slowly. For example I was squatting 100kg on a working set before pregnancy and started just with the bar and built my way up. I do think you need to ease into it. I think because I knew my body so well in terms of when to push and when to not I’ve managed to do it myself x

I went back to flat again. It has gone how you described now post menopause

Thanks for all the replies, seems like a pretty positive outlook!

im not bothered about a bit of loose skin I would just like some definition back which I think when I manage to get this last bit of weight off I’ll hopefully get.

for all the strange people that took the time to comment unhelpful or just nasty comments, hope you feel better after taking your misery out on a stranger online :)

Unfortunately my stomach has never recovered and DS is nearly 17 now. The skin elasticity went and I've just been left with saggy skin that only surgery can resolve.
Everyone is different, but sometimes it's your skin that is genetically prone to not springing back, regardless off age. I was only 22 when I had DS.

Yes I’ve found that too. Some haven’t even done a course and are giving women dangerous advice. 100kg is insane! I’m in awe. Good luck with everything and thanks for the reply.

Where are you located OP? If near me I will DM you someone.

Hi
I’m West Midlands x

You've most likely got excellent muscle tone OP, like my sister. Took her about a year to go back to her previous shape. She has a rock hard stomach and runs like a rabbit at the track.
On the other hand, I'm still searching for my stomach muscles 19 years after giving birth.
I suspect I may need more time, don't want to rush it😬