I am a 24 year old first time mum. I went into this knowing of most of the complications that can happen when you give birth..my story goes like this:
I really was interested in doing this the natural way, no drugs etc. But when I became two weeks overdue my doctor became concerned but still left the choice up to me to wait (so grateful). However, when my baby showed a bit of distress we decided to induce. On a quick side note, she was supposed to be a christmas baby, then we bypassed that, then new years, and then she was actually born on my birthday, January 9th!
Anyways, I was induced on a monday morning and went drug free after that for 24 hours. I was in labor a total of 36 hours! By the 24th hour I was pretty tired and tried the gas, no use, tried morphine, didn’t even make a dent in the pain. So finally they figured my labor stalled and wanted to give me pitocin. I was okay with that, trying to go with the flow, and had an epidural as well. I finally slept, which was great! Then things started picking up! Now we were pushing! Fantastic! Except I was pushing for 4 hours with no progress. Bring on another edpiural top up and a doctor suggesting a C Section and I had that baby out by wednesday morning at 4 am. I was extremely surprised when they weighed my baby girl at 10lbs 3 ounces!! Mind you, I looked ridiculous pregnant, I’m 5″3I was HUGE! Makes sense haha. I tore really bad though, a 3rd degree right down the middle, then another first degree up the right side. 3 blood transfusions and a bunch of IVs later, we were released on Thursday.
So with all that in mind, the fact that I have a 3 finger diastasis recti and am doing so much physio, due to the stress on my body, I am still extremely upset that I haven’t bounced back faster. I thought I was in decent shape, I guess not. I look at my figure and I still look 3 months pregnant and there is NOTHING I can do about it now. I think that is the worst part. I wish some one would tell me that I will continue to make progress. I wish that I could just melt this tummy away, it’s soft and jiggly and I hate the way it moves and It really doesn’t feel a part of me. It sucks, and I am sad at how frumpy I look and feel.
Age= 24
Number of pregnancies= 1
Number of children= 1
Month postpartum= 7 and a bit
First and second picture is 41 + 2 days pregnant, the third is about a month post, the fourth and fifth is about 4 months post. I haven’t done a recent photo. But it has gone down and the stretch marks aren’t so red anymore. Please, tell me what you think.
You look fantastic!!! I also went very overdue. :) I’m 5’2″ and my son was 9 lbs 13 oz. I have a little bit of diastasis – above my belly button where I held extra fluid. I also looked pretty ridiculous. I think we have a lot in common! :) It’s taken a little longer, but my body’s pretty much back to where it was before with some obvious changes, of course. Keep up the hard work, mama. :)
You may feel frumpy but you don’t look it! At all! You have a rockin’ shape and great legs. My youngest was a big baby and he is 20 months now. I am STILL seeing changes in my body. About a month ago my pants started inching down all the time. I realized that my hips had finally completely returned to where they’re supposed to be! It takes time. Granted I was 34 when my youngest was born – you will bounce back faster! Are you wearing a binder for your muscle separation? If not, look into it. The women I know who have used them credit the binder with faster healing and less discomfort. Try not to get too down about your body right now. There are still a lot of changes that will take place all on their own and you will start to feel better about yourself.
You look great. My baby boy was supposed to be due June 21st but came July 1st!
Your doing great. I know the feeling. I wasn’t in labor for as long, but when my daughter was born, she weighed 10 lbs 1 oz and i’m only 5’1″. She was born on her due date, I was induced due to having a slit pelvis because of her size. Walking was generally pure agony. But she is well worth the pain that i suffered. And no i don’t have my post baby body back yet either. Just keep in mind that you have a baby to care for and that is far more important than what other people say about you. Be happy in who you are and the miracle that you have everyday.
You look great! Especially when you take into consideration your complications, it will take a while to get back to “normal”, but you are doing awesome! Congratulations!
Self talk is really important, but very hard to start the habit as at first I felt really silly. But I now celebrate my wobbly, dough belly (inspite of being my ideal weight for height). Everyday as I get dressed I rub my belly and thank it for being so incredible that it gave me my beautiful two daughters. I am learning to wear my belly as a badge of motherhood pride. It’s only been a month since I started but the positive self talk has really helped my attitude.
Congratulations on your incredible tummy that made you a mum!
You look wonderful! Don’t allow yourself to be discouraged because your body will continue to re-shape. I’m 24 as well, my son was born three years ago, and while I lost most of my pregnancy weight in the first 6 months, it’s only in the last 6 that I have begun to feel just like my old self. It takes time for post pregnancy tummies to tighten back up. If you eat right and get moderate exercise your tummy will continue to shrink.
Looking great hun. XX