4 wks post c section and clothes :(

[indigobarbie]

Pre-pregnancy I was a size 12/14 and at the end of my pregnancy I was a size 18 maternity. I did put on quite a bit of weight, but half of it came off once the baby arrived. I know that my tummy will (maybe, eventually) shrink back in but at the moment it's still very tender. I am stuck as my mat clothes are weird on me, ie not comfy and the only thing that is comfy is old isabella oliver jersey mat trousers but even these are failing to look 'clean and tidy'.

Can anyone advise what I should buy to just look half decent in the coming weeks? I want to start on my weight loss but really I need something that will do me for at least a month or so until I get onto the weight loss plan. My tops will still do me, mainly are all cheap t shirts, so I was considering something like a lightweight pair of denim trousers from next (maybe the maternity ones?) something that would go with my flat trainers (the only thing that fit my feet.......).
arrrghhhh. thanks everyone! PS what does everyone else do?

Hi! I symphathise, I had this problem a year ago. It's quite a shock to the system, the post c section body, isn't it?

For the first few weeks I just wore my over the bump maternity jeans, yoga pants and some loose dresses (preferred the dresses due to a lot of internal bruising). About 5 weeks after it was a bit better and I had some stretchy skirts I wore with a longish top. I bought the top (online shopping is a wonderful thing in these circumstances) and it did make me feel an awful lot better to have a nice new thing to wear, even casually. And bit the bullet and ordered jeans in a size higher than I wanted to but thank god I did. The stomach doesn't last forever (as it is now anyway) but you need to be comfy more than anything.

Light denim trousers sound perfect, esp with long tops.

I wore pyjamas for a week or two . then mat trous, then the next-size jeans I'd bought for early pg, then normal jeans with long tops to disguise muffinage.

I think I wore the stuff I used in early maternity and some draw-string linen trousers. Lightweight denim sounds like a good idea - easy to wear with t-shirts. How are your feet? None of my shoes fitted me!

I wore my maternity combats & leggings for a few weeks after my cs's.

Then in-between size jeans from Primark while my body shrank.

You could get some cheap maternity jeans then raid somewhere cheap and cheerful for a couple of long tops to make you feel more streamlined.

Hello there - and sympathy.

I had a cs, and put on a lot of weight. I suspect I was at least a size 18 but no way did I rush to find out!

I wore mat clothes, and yes, dresses for a good long while. I'd recommend Elemental's route. I, personally, left it a bit long to buy some new things. In hindsight, you have been through a lot, and to actually buy a couple of comfy (but new, clean!) things to go with how your body is now is a very good way of acknowledging your body, and accepting what it has been through.

A dress you can bf in (if you're bf-ing), and some loose trousers and tops when your stomach isn't sore will be good. And you will be able to wear them as you shed the baby-pounds. Which you will.

I had a CS 7 months ago and I've only just bought a new pair of jeans a couple of weeks ago.

I'd been putting off buying new clothes because I was a size heavier than I was pre-pregnancy and couldn't justify the expense of buying 'in-between' clothes while I reach my normal size. This was such a mistake though. I've been wearing two pairs of jeans that have shrunk and are too short with maternity tops and smocks for the last few months. It has just made me feel worse about myself.

At least invest in a couple of outfits that will make you feel comfortable and confident even if you expect to lose weight over the next few months. It will make a huge difference to how you feel day to day. Any don't wear maternity jeans - it doesn't do your confidence any good to be wearing maternity clothes when you are no longer pregnant. Maybe consider New Look bootcuts - cheap and high-waisted so good for post-cs.

And don't put yourself under immediate pressure to lose the weight. I have a stone to lose and am only just beginning to think I might be ready to do something about it seven months later. It takes time to recover from a CS, especially when dealing with the demands of a newborn too. Be kind to yourself.

i'd go for leggings under dresses/smock tops or shirt dresses for feeding. peacocks do quite a few and not expensive

HI can I just thank everyone for their input, I really needed the advice. It's quite strange having a body that doesn't have s shape (sort of) any more. No big bump, but still big swollen tender jelly belly. My baby was 10lbs 1 and he made a large bump for me! I think I miss it, but I know my uterus will contract, but wondering how long it will take, and know I need to be comfy in the short/long term.

I have roughly 2.5 stones to lose to get back to where I was, and with SPD and mobility issues still hassling me, I have a ways to go yet. Got my chin up though and maybe a small wardbrobe freshen will do me the world of good!
exhaustednurse thank you so much for this link, I've ordered a pair - Yayy.