~Age: 36
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 3 months
I had elective cesarean section 3 months ago because my baby boy was breech. The cesarean wasn’t a great experience as I lost a lot of blood (2 litres) and was put on iron tablets that me horrendous constipation and tummy ache. I also suffered for weeks with trapped wind and gas. Infact I’m still more gassy now than I ever used to be.
My baby boy was a gorgeous healthy 7lbs15oz.
Before pregnancy I had a very flat stomach and good BMI. I wasn’t really toned but I walked my dog for an hour a day and felt healthy (I have included a photo of my tummy when I was 5 weeks pregnant). During pregnancy I put on about 3 stone (40lbs) but luckily didn’t get any stretch marks. Post partum my stomach started going down very quickly initially and I don’t have a ceseran overhang around the scar. But what has upset me is I still look pregnant – people are asking if I am expecting again as I have a round bump all at the front. It feels firm-ish and doesn’t sag (see photos).
I do still have a stone to lose to be back at pre pregnancy weight but that’s more around hips/bum. My belly feels like it has a small layer of fat covering it, but is firm and comes out. Is this diastatis recti? Or normal after a caesarean and do I just have to be patient and it will take a year to go down?
rom my iPhone
5 weeks pregnant
Aren’t iron supplements the worst!? I had to take them after my first baby. If you’re still gassy your little belly might be in part because of that. Check with your doctor about diastasis recti. It doesn’t look as though that’s the issue from your photos but have it checked if you’re worried. You may feel like the rest of the baby weight is just in your hips and bum but I would be willing to bet that you will lose off your tummy too. Also remember, you are only a few months out from giving birth. It takes time for all the swelling to dissipate. Keep doing what you’re doing. Walk with your baby and your dog and give yourself some time to recover. You look lovely. Enjoy your little boy.
Wow we are belly twins! I too had a c-section because my daughter was breach. I didnt have the complications you did but i did gain 60 lbs. I was underweight prior to pregnancy and i didnt lose all of it either. But i thought i had diastasis and i even bought the tupler belly band and followed the regimen and it didnt do anything for me. I chalked it up as i just have excess belly fat which is the hardest area to lose weight in. My tummy is firm but also a little jiggily even when i flex. You can research how to check for diastasis or even have your doctor check for you. I started doing planks, which are ridiculously hard but seriously work you core. I am starting to see a difference. Give it sime more time you are only 3 months out, it takes 9-18 months to fully go back to normal. I am 2 1/2 years pp and mine isnt as bad as it was 2 years ago.
A good site to check out for information about diastasis recti, how to tell if you have it, and also to find exercises about how to reduce it, is the one by BeFitMom (you can find it by Googling her name – am not sure I am supposed to be posting links!). I know this reads like SPAM, but I am honestly nothing to do with the site, and the information is there for free (she does have DVDs for sale as well, but there is plenty of free information and videos). I had my baby on Sunday, and am definitely going to be trying some of the ab exercises that she suggests.
I would say no but talk to a doctor or physio. I looked similar 3 months pp with #1. It subsided within the year.
I dont think you do. I have one and my belly protrudes more than that.. some people have milder ones, but its quite soon after you had your baby so its actually normal to have a little separation for quite a while after having the baby. Often it comes together naturally.