Post pregnancy figure

[enbh]

Good morning ladies. I'm hoping some of you can share your knowledge and wisdom

It's been 5 months since I had my DD (can't believe it's been 5 months already!) and due to having several issues I ended up gaining around 5 stone! Now I've managed to lose 2 of them which is great but what I need help with is how much my body has changed.

I know plus size women can look gorgeous so it's not the weight gain specifically that bothers me, it's that everything just seems to look wrong on me somehow!

It seems everything makes me look small and dumpy!

I have quite a lot of excess skin on my stomach, an overhang after the c section seems to make buying clothes impossible! Baggy clothes make me look bigger but so fitted ones!!

Any hints or tips at how to dress with this new addition to my body would be great! I'm going back to work soon and feel like I'm at a loss as to what to wear. My confidence is at an all time low

I did put paragraphs in that but my phone seems to have deleted them

Bump

I wrote a long reply and lost it!
Essentially - I feel your pain. My one go to staples no longer work. I now do big (£300-400) orders so I can try on at home.
What shape are you? Have you tried googling? Would control pants work for the overhang? At least to suck it in a bit?
Not helpful at all sorry but I do understand. Well done losing the 2 stone though!

I can't believe you didn't get any replies... what is it with this forum lately?

Congrats on your baby

5 months is very early days (especially if it's your first baby). I know I didn't lose my baby weight on my first until between 9-12 months.

For that reason, I wouldn't spend a lot of money. What line of work are you in? Is it corporate, casual, etc?

Don't feel low about yourself. Sometimes even getting your hair done, nails, eyebrows, a scarf or a new handbag might be the 'lift' you need (as shallow as all that sounds, but it works for me) xx

Snap KMoKmo!

Oh thank you for replies 😊
I work in an office, so smart/ smart-casual. Have just been upstairs for a good hour sorting out what fits me. Essentially nothing! I've got a few bits to keep me going at the min but don't know what I'll do once I have to have wear work stuff!

I'm basically a bit bigger all over which is of course expected! But with a massive, and I do mean massive belly!

Can't imagine having to try to stuff my big belly into a shirt and suit!!!

I gained four stone with my baby so I understand how tricky it is, I felt very lost and unsure of what suited me. Looking back at pics I wish I hadn't tried to "hide" behind big cardigans etc, think it made me look bigger.

I found a big online order (Asos is brill and free returns) and trying on in comfort of own home helped. Anything I thought I liked I put to the side and then tried again a couple of days later to make sure....

Amazing work on losing 2stone....that's what my toddler weighs now and it's a huge amount!!!

Congratulations on your baby and well done on losing 2 stone already! I put on 4 stone with DS (my first baby) then lost a bit of it it, then another 3 stone with DD (second baby) and have finally lost it all.

When my DS was six months old I chucked out a load of clothes I was convinced would never fit again. Another baby later (DD is now 16 months) and I am gutted I don't have my jeans etc any more - am finally back to my old size!! So be kind to yourself it's very early days.

What about jersey dresses with gathers over your tummy, with tights, boots and a cardi? Comfy, forgiving and can be tweaked for work with a jacket and heels? And a big necklace/scarf/lovely bag? Or one of those black stretchy skirts with a nice top layered over? T K Maxx often have nice day dresses....

I had my second child 11 months ago and my figure has changed so much I don't think I can do much to get back to how I was. I spent a lot of time trying to lose weight to fit in certain clothes and found even if I lost some it wasn't coming off my belly. I was starting to get stressed with it all until I had a huge kick up the behind and started thinking differently. I got rid of all the tiny clothes I willed to get back into and started dressing to the shape I am now. It meant a lot of baggy tops and floaty dresses but there is a lot out there. If I put my work trousers on and felt horrid with the overhang I would out a floaty longish too on and make the effort on top with necklace and make up.
It's really hard but I found a different change of mind helped me. I am currently 2 stone heavier than I was when I had my first child and I am started to come round to liking my body as it's changed to give me the most precious things.
Have a look round and pick tops that float over the belly and no clinging in sight. Your body is a symbol of he hard work you've done x

I would agree what a pp said about regretting wearing baggy stuff that swamps you. That just makes you look bigger. It takes a long time to learn how to dress your shape (or it did me), then our bodies go through massive changes and we have to do it all over again. I would start with finding the parts of your body you are happy to show off then find clothes that do that whilst hiding what you don't feel so great about at the moment. Tops that flair out at the tummy would be a good start, I got some basic t-shirts that do this. Also peplums etc. Wrap dresses that the under the bust are quite flattering also and you can dress them up or down. I am 5 months post partum too and trying to figure out/get used to my body.

And I agree with a PP who chucked out all her pre-baby clothes and regretted it - having done the same with DD1.

Now have DD3 age 7 months and am feeling much like you OP, on holiday in (High waisted) bikini too so some photos of myself shock me!

However... I managed to get back down to pre baby weight both previous times with a bit of hard work - 5:2 diet works for me... But whatever you know works for you.

I remember feeling like you, that my body would never go back and whilst I admit my tummy will always be a bit squishy with stretch marks, I lost the 3 stone and my body returned to normal. Finishing breastfeeding helps if you are doing that too... Not saying to stop if you are but hormones change once you stop.

It is nice being able to share this as I totally get where you are coming but have been through it and seen out the other side twice.

Good luck OP, 2 stone loss is amazing! I managed one but am in Italy on holiday so have probably gained it all back

Thank you so much for your kind replies!! I am taking it all on board!

I think I too am making myself bigger hiding behind baggy tees and I have ended up looking a bit tent like!

It's so odd to have an entirely different body! But so worth it of course. Pregnancy has given me such a great appreciation of what my body can do!

It is so hard now your body is a completely different shape.

I've lost the baby weight 1 year on but my hips are definitely wider, my tummy flabbier and my boobs still a little bigger so a lot of my pre-baby clothes still don't fit.

I feel a little better for moving all of my 'thin' clothes out of the wardrobe. I can't keep looking at stuff that doesn't fit me, it's maddening! I'll keep them but they are staying firmly out of sight for the time being.

I'm going to have a look on eBay for some clothes in bigger sizes. Maybe a trip to the shops is in order too just so I can have some clothes that actually make me feel like me again iyswim

It's a bit like ive somehow lost my identity! Hope that doesn't seem too dramatic but it's sort of how I feel atm

@enbh I'm pretty sure that's normal... At least I feel that way at the moment too. I'm sure lots of mums with small babies would say the same.

I've found elasticated shorts and slouchy tops have really worked for me this summer - primark and tesco. Dresses that flair from the bust. Harem pants and loose cami vests.

I'm off shopping today after removing pretty much everything from my wardrobe! Wish me luck! I must remember - nothing baggy!

I sympathise! I gained about 3 stone after having my DD (and I had gained another 2 before that!), I've lost 4.5 now and I would say I probably won't have the figure I did at 21 again (I was only 23 when I had DD, 26 now). I used to have bad legs, but washboard abs, perky boobs, average arms. Now I have good legs, better arms, but my stomach won't ever be the same as before and my boobs are bigger but saggier. I've learnt to love it!

Absolutely no baggy clothes, and nothing in cheap fabrics around the tummy for me now.

Just a little message of solidarity. I am 6 months PP and also gained 5 stone. I have lost just under 3 stone and have about 2 stone 3 lbs to go . I am also returning to work imminently (smart office wear) and none of my old clothes are close to fitting. As my belly is so huge, all the clothes I try on just make me look pregnant . I don’t know what to do because the cheaper clothes look awful, but I can’t really afford to buy more expensive stuff (especially if I will hopefully be out of them in the next 6-12 months ).

Arghhhhh.

@CoffeeAndCupcakes85 oh no sounds like we are in the same boat! I'm the same, I don't want to spend a fortune on clothes I'm going to grow out of, but don't want to bank on fitting back into my old stuff as I'm not sure what or how will my body will look even if I do manage to lose the weight. As PP helpfully pointed out, your body doesn't always go back the same, even if you manage to lose weight!

Plus of course money is a bit tight being on mat leave!

@enbh - Totally. I had always been curvy with a flat waist and big bum and hips. Now I also have a VERY tubby belly that just isn’t going anywhere, nomatter how hard I try 😭.

The money thing is another issue! I only got maternity allowance and we’ll be paying childcare for 2, so even when I start work I won’t have the budget to buy nice clothes 😭.
I wish I was just naturally skinny so that cheap clothes would look good on me!