Stomach still swollen 2 weeks post c-section?

[BookishEm]

Before I start I do want to say I don’t expect my body to be “back to normal” by now or actually really ever back to normal ever again. BUT I’m 2 weeks post section and I still look really swollen and have a large overhang. I know overhang is really common after c-sections but I didn’t expect it to be quite as pronounced as this. Just wondering at what point post section I’ll know what my new normal will be? When did the swelling go down for you?

I had a vaginal birth but certainly things weren't back to normal after two week. Give it more time.

Hi! Thanks I know I’m properly being a bit crazy 🙈😂 I think when I put my leggings on today I just felt a bit disheartened about how pregnant I still look and because I’d had the c-section I was a bit worried maybe I’d always have this!

Gosh, two weeks is no time at all. It’s very normal to still be pretty swollen and for the scar to look huge at this stage. I’d say mine didn’t look even vaguely flat for about 6 months. 30 years on I still have an ‘apron’ but mine was an EMCS done by a locum they had to get in as they had so many c sections that day and the incision was not even vaguely tidy looking or well done. My GP said whoever did it looked as if they’d not done many before. But 2 weeks in it’s not uncommon to look about 5 months pregnant still.

@Fromthegekko Before this I’d have said I wasn’t ever that person who was obsessed with how they looked and alway preached loving yourself for you etc so I know I’m being completely mad even thinking about it so quickly but I guess I’m having a weird postpartum day 😂 thanks for your reply it’s good to have someone tell me when they started to look more “normal” 🙈 I won’t worry about it till at least 6 months!

Mine was still swollen at two weeks. I think it took about a month to deflate!

I've had three c sections and have slowly deflated until about 6 months or so post partum. Even after that things shift around for a while as and when your lifestyle/exercise changes - for me I change shape again when I go back to work at 12 months ish because then my activity levels and diet change again.

My overhang is here to stay though. Makes a nice squashy pillow for the baby

@Tomatobear ooh that would be great if it was about a month! Just want to feel a bit more myself now!

The uterus takes 6 weeks to deflate back to its original size i think! I’m 3.5 weeks post section and I am about 80% back to normal now, just waiting on the last bits and being able to run

I have had two EMCS last one was 48 years ago.The first one was done extremely quickly to save my baby's life.I was opened up with the vertical incision and while it saved my DS1 I was left with a huge abdomen and a wonky scar going right down the front which took ages to go down.
Second time around it was done as a baby life saver as well, (this baby is now a grandfather so thank you c section) but there was a bit more time.The same scar was used again but tidied up afterwards.My abdomen went down quicker but certainly not by two weeks!
I know it is hard but it will go down once you start moving about again.In the meantime enjoy your baby.The new born stage does not last for long so enjoy it while it does.

@TheGirlWhoLived yeah I’d read that about 6 weeks - you know I think I’m just comparing myself to others (who didn’t have c-sections) and say they went home from the hospital in their prepregancy jeans and I’m like what?! 😂

You're two weeks post major abdominal surgery, as well as the surgery being on a part of you that spent months growing. It's completely normal to still have swelling around a surgery incision area.

@nildesparandum I know we should really be proud of our scars since they brought us out babies and I’d like to say I am but just also like to not feel like I look pregnant too 🙈😂 honestly didn’t think I was even a bit vein before this... guess not!

@Garman my husband has said this to me today too... I honestly know I was being a bit crazy but just had this moment of panic and wanted to know what was “normal” before I dwelled on jt too much!

I’ve just had abdominal surgery for another reason but I was definitely still swollen two weeks later, the difference between two weeks post op and 6 weeks is very stark. You’ll get there don’t worry.

@HappyAsASandboy thanks! Honestly really appreciate all these c-section mamas sharing their experience! 6 months seems like the norm so I’m going to wait till then before having anymore moments of panics about my body!

It's all still healing for the 1st 6-12wk. It'll settle down eventually but you may well have a bit of skin overhang left.

@BookishEm mine took about 8 weeks to be back to normalish then started to blow up again around 3-4 months because I am pregnant again lol 😂

I hope previous posts can reassure you OP. It was certainly my experience after having an ELCS. I felt more myself after a month and a bit more together after 6. Just look after yourself and watch out for your back.

No c section, but remember your uterus is also contracting back to normal size again so that will also cause swollen look. I think I was told 6-8 weeks. Breastfeeding can speed this up

I remember asking two friends how long it took before everything felt normal after csection. They both agreed that it was 12 months before they could run upstairs without feeling that everything was going to fall out.
As for returning to exercise, my GP who was a mum and a triathlete told me not to do anything more strenuous than walking or swimming for 12 months. It caused too much damage to the softened ligaments throughout your body.

Honestly thanks everyone for your replies! I feel a bit like a madwomen now 🙈 you’ve definitely reassured me to chill and recover a bit before worrying about my c-section pouch 😂

Six weeks after I had my baby someone asked me when it was due.