Body recovery after dc2 - same as first time or totally different?

[soppypreggyloon]

I was very lucky/ good genes/ whatever after ds arrived but I was back to my pre pg size in 6-8 weeks all be it with the added wibbly mummy tummy.
I was contemplating a bikini last summer -just before I got pg with dc2 so was pretty happy with how things had turned out.
My bump with dc2 is same as ds- neat and tidy and almost all weight seems to b in my tummy area rather than arms, face, bum etc (well maybe a bit bum bit it's hard to tell)

So...... Will my body do same as last time or will it be more difficult to get back?
What were your experiences and do you have any suggestions of anything that'll help?
If it makes any difference I'm having an elcs.

I know it's silly in the grand scheme of thing but body confidence is a big thing for me.

I was back in my usual clothes v quickly after both my DC too. Similar experiences both times. Probably is just a mixture of good luck/ genetics etc. I've got no stretch marks and was back to normal weight within a month. Good luck, I'm sure you'll spring back quickly this time too

It was pretty similar for me: no stretch marks with either, normalclothes within a month and pre-preg weight soon after. Think it's down to luck and genes TBH. Certainly, other than BFing I did nothing to aid the process.

(A friend of mine with 3 DC said that it was her 3rd that knackered her body. Although "knackered" is relative: she's still a size 8 but just has something of a mummy tummy now.)

dc1 I snapped back to flat tummy, size 8 in a matter of weeks. No stretch marks on tummy just a few on the under side of my boobs so not on show at all really.

dc2 is 2. No problem with stretch marks but dd was a lot bigger than ds and I had a much bigger bump. 2 years on I still have a bit of muscle separation, I have gone back to a size 8 but I am a different shape, I can't wear the same cuts of trouser that I used to. I have a wobbly bit of flab that flops over the waistband if I wear lower cut jeans. I can't seem to get rid of it at all because I just can't manage any form of abdominal exercises to tone it due ot the separation. I hate it. I hate having to tummy muscles to speak of. When I eat my tummy just pops right out because there is nothing holding it in and because I am otherwise skim it is noticable. I keep having to unbutton my jeans when eating/after eating if I'm sitting otherwise it is really uncomfortable and it isn't that they are too small, at other times they are pretty loose. The rest of my body is fine (or at least my thighs would be fine if I actually stuck at going running ) but I hate my tummy.

I'm about the same, I bf'd and lost the little weight I'd put on I(about 1/2 stone I think) gradually over the first few months, I have no stretch marks and yes I do know how incredibly lucky I am!!!
I actually find my weight easier to keep down now as a SAHM than when I worked, I am very active especially running around after DS and walk loads and that helps, as well as being home for lunch several days a week. I weigh at least a stone less than when I worked (am currently a little over 9 1/2 stone at 5'4").
I also think that the fact that we use condoms helps, when I was on the Depo Provera injection, it was nigh on impossible to lose weight and crept on very easily.
Hope you are lucky!
(Although there is of course a lot more to life!)

Hmmm sounds promising.
indith - sorry you feel so bad about your tummy. Wish I could suggest something helpful. How big was your ds and dd? Ds was 8lb10 but 8 days late. Dc2 will be elcs at 39 weeks so has less growing time so I don't think they can get much bigger than ds in time available.

Any top tips for shifting it/ shaping up again? :)

ds was only 6lb15 then dd was 9lb4 so it was quite a big jump in size! I know they come plenty bigger than dd was but I'm not that big myself!

I've had 4 and snapped back more or less, the secrete is not to stuff your face before or after the birth but that's easier said than done.

Same as the first time (though with an extra CS scar! but that's not a big deal) - back to pre-preg weight in about 6 months. Except second time, I have actually gone below pre-preg weight, thanks to 24-hour milk monster DD - but I expect that will change once I stop bf.

The flabby tummy is also the same as before - I'm pretty happy with my weight so I just live with the extra bit of jelly belly. Gap curvy jeans are a good fit on me now.

So all in all the same experience even though I'm 5 years older 2nd time round.

btw I haven't done anything in particular to "get back in shape" - just walking around when possible, eating what I want when I'm hungry, and generally being active. Actually one thing is we've moved to a house with stairs, instead of a ground floor flat, and I run up and down them about 100 times a day (not as exercise, just as part of our hectic lives...) which probably helps.

Indith - I had significant separation of my abs too. I used the Tupler Method which works your transverse muscles, creating a corset to support your weaker mid-section. It didn't totally close my gap but it did reduce it somewhat. Also, when you do regular crunches with separation you just end up with a bulging tum - no matter how much you pay attention to good form.

Ultimately, I had a tummy tuck to sort out the loose skin i was left with after pregnancies. During the op, the surgeon stitched my abs back together. It has made such a difference. I can now run and ski without any lower back issues - would always get lower back ache after exercise due to weak core.

Z

Oops! And to answer OP: my body recovered much quicker second time around.

AGree with previous poster's friend - it's the third one that does the damage....

I found getting back actually easier with dc2 than 1 because of all the running about with a toddler. But then dc3 happened and it all fell apart!