Stomach after pregnancy - how long does it take to approach something looking even vaguely normal?

[FrannyandZooey]

I know it doesn't just spring back for most people. But I gave birth 9 days ago and my stomach honestly still looks around 7 months pg. It's a really high and firm bump and my belly button still sticks out a mile. With ds1 I just remember having a fattish wobbly tummy for a fair while? This is really different.

I've been examined and scanned (for other reasons) so I know there isn't anything left inside, but what is going on? I asked a midwife who laughed and said my stomach muscles would be very lax this time. But you're not telling me this is my stomach sticking out like this, surely? I am getting a bit freaked out by it....

lol franny i feel your pain

I felt exactly like this 3 weeks ago. I was getting upset that the postaman was asking me how long I had to go.

I had my 3rd child nearly 6 weeks ago and my tummy has now gone down alot, but is quite firm not wobbly. My belly button has only just started to go back to an inny. I am only about half a stone over my ideal weight.

Time will tell!

Well I am 17 weeks post preg and someone asked when it was due the other day

no seriously do you think it is normal? I'm not just saying it to be ha ha aren't I fat

I am honestly bewildered by it - what is making it stick out likt that?

i just googled my BMI ( prior to this thread) and it was not that bad but my belly looks shit

today i gardened all day in the hope some muscle tone would pull the b*&^er in!

Weight does 'drop off' around this time franny - i am 13 days in and it is slow but sure better each day!

don't fret!

9 months of pregnancy?

I think it is mostly the rib cage and the pelvis which takes about 6 months to fully go back to previous size.

You may find it easier if you only have to lose half a stone.

I do also think it takes longer second time round the ligaments def stretch more, my feet are flatter this time and I can't zip trousers up not just because of fat but hips not back into old position

My mw said it takes longer for your stomach muscles to knit back together after each pregnancy; so I'm guessing it's all your insides not moved back to their proper positions yet and not having that natural corset effect decent tummy muscles give you.

no it isn't fat
i mean i have put on plenty of fat but this isn't fat, it is hard
and it isn't my pelvis or ribcage, it's from right under my breasts and sticks out exactly like a late pg belly
bizarre

yes isaidno it probably is 'insides' as well as tummy flab
bleeurgh what a thought

With number 2 it took a while-the mw said my stomach muscles had separated by about 3 inches apparently.Don't ask me how it all gets back together but it does.I am now back to size 10 (dd is 2 and a half,though!!)

Congratulations on your new baby

I had ds3 almost 6 months ago. I'm more or less down to my pre-pregnancy weight now but my stomach below my belly button looks horrific - 3 x stretched skin. I can't remember it ever being that bad after ds2 and am beginning to think it'll never improve.

thank you
I am aware this is a stupid thing to be asking about btw
I just honestly don't understand it and tbh am fed up of having no clothes to wear
my maternity clothes look worse now than when I was 2 weeks overdue

Oh and I also think that second time round you are even more impatient to get back to normal.

Missed that you had had your lo Franny.
Congratulations!
Have you done a birth announcement?

Have a look at this link - tupler technique I am not sure how soon post-partum you can start, but these exercises are specifically designed for 'Mummy Tummy'.
Theres a link on that page to the exercises.

sorry exercise link here

i was like this then as well and felt quite down about it, now a year later just a gentle slender curve (and a bit of saggy skin unfortunately) Try and get GP or women's health physio to measure the gap between your stomach muscles. it needs to close up and then you can do a bit of exercise.

Congratulations on the birth

ds is 15m and I still have a huuuuge tummy. think it is fat though - am always starving

at "work up to 100 reps 3-5 times a day" (in the link)

do they not understand what having a baby entails?!