Do you think c sections Ruin your stomach?

[LardLizard]

Sort of tight underneath the scar and chubby above

Yes.

My stomach looks like someone attacked a space hopper with a penknife.

In, ahem, certain situations it's best to not look down.

I've had a CS and VBAC and you wouldn't tell I've had a baby. The CS scar is nice and smooth with no overhang under the hair line. I had small bumps both times though.

For me the natural delivery was worse for my stomach - I never realized how much you need your pelvic floor to engage your stomach muscles, and my pelvic floor now feels like it's round my knees!

What pregnancy did really screw up was my ribcage which has definitely expanded!

No difference
Scar under bikini line - ie can wear small bikini pants
It is only 8cm approx long and doesn't bother me
Tummy getting a bit saggy/looser but I am getting on a bit
Beats knackered pelvic floor/episiotomy etc etc anyday

And it was good old NHS who did my sections .
Scar has been opened up twice very skillfully

I think it only does if you have fat on top of your bump as when they are sewing you up they are sort of pulling as they go . Mine has a albeit little lumpy bit which isn't nice !

I've known a few women who've had laser treatment for their 'overhang' etc and it's worked.

They've spent less than £1000.

Pelvic floor issues can happen after the Menopause because of hormones. I'm post Menopause and so are a lot of my friends etc. It's been equal numbers affected by incontinence etc because developing a sensitive bladder has nothing to do with haven given birth. It's a myth that it's because you've given birth vaginally.or that it's something that you have to put up with.

Lasers can be used to tighten you back up, as well.

I have a little shelf but I think that's down to a steady diet of sugar.

I'm due again in Nov and have been told to expect it'll be a CS again so I hope they don't make a pigs ear of it.

Just as a quick thread within a thread; has anyone on here had in excess of 3+ CS's?

I want four DCs and my incredible unreactive cervix™ means CS is really my only method of delivery....

I had natural births and my fanjo is intact - no tears or cuts.

My friend had cesarean births and her tummy is flat and scar barely noticeable.

It all depends on genetics, your weight and age at the time, etc

I've had 2 c sections (22 months apart) and my stomach is fine. Apart from the scar you can't tell I've had them.

No stretch marks, no overhang. Very lucky as I do very little exercise apart from walking.

I've had two c sections and my stomach is hideous. It is misshapen and i have overhang. I could do with losing some weight, so my stomach wouldn't be great anyway, but the overhang is skin, not fat (the fat is underneath ) so I know it's never going to be great.

It does get me down a bit but I refuse to let it upset me too much because life's too short.

Yes, I now have a hernia where my muscles have separated as well

My first one was ok, very small and neat scar with only very slight pouching above it. The second though...it is as though I am always wearing pants several sizes too small, with elastic that cuts in and makes everything above stick out. I have the typical "shelf" above the scar. I really hate it, but am resigned to it now.

Pregnancy screwed up my ribcage too chloechloe.

Glad it's not just me SirVix. I have so many nice dresses I can't zip up any more - and DH insists pregnancy can't make your ribcage wider and that I must have gotten fatter

Yeah, I've got the overhang/shelf thing, so lower belly is knackered. It looks fine in most clothes, though, and I do notice it is less pronounced when I keep my weight down.

What sort of laser treatment birds?

Did anyone else have a haematoma after their section? I did and the 'bruise' is still visible after 3 months. Hope it goes

Another one here with a larger ribcage

In my case, no - a tiny red line, but that's about it. Though I do now weigh a stone less than when I had my children.

I did toffee and it did go. My sympathies - it really hurt!

I have never got rid of my overhang even though I am lighter now than when I first got pregnant.

I have 4 sections and I do think it is the skill of the surgeon. First 3 no overhang but awful numbness and twinges probably from adhesions and scar tissue. The 4th section no numbness or pain but it is like they have sewed it back too tight and there is an overhang.

My first two were fine, but the third has left a mess! a really lumpy scar and a bulge over the top. Last was 9.5 years ago and it isn't get any better - it makes me feel rather sad that however slim I can get I still have what I think is an unsightly overhang bit.

Nothing I could do to fix it other than more surgery I don't think, but even if I could afford it I don't think I would fancy that.

I never knew that pregnancy could change your ribcage, is that actually I thing??? Now you come to mention it that would really explain a few things!

DS was a crash section but my scar is so neat and low that 6 years on its barely visible. My stomach muscles on the other hand are completely shot. I used to be able to do over 100 sits in one go but can now barely do 5. It feels horrible. My tummy is a bit podgy but I'm a size 12/14 so hardly surprising.

As an aside, a couple of years ago we were on holiday in Spain (an area very popular for the Spanish to holiday at) and it really shocked me just how many young Spanish woman had vertical section scars. I literally lost count of how many I saw, as if this is the norm in Spain?

I've had two one vertical and one horizontal (seriously stuck baby....didn't think that could happen with a c/s) and although my belly has never been my best feature to put it mildly it looks fucking horrific now!