Age: 29
No. of pregnancies:1
Age of child: 6 weeks.
6 weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, my labor was nothing like I expected it to be, it lasted 36 hours after 32 hours with no pain meds i finally gave in and had an epidural but it took 3 attempts with the second attempt puncturing the spinal fluid, the epidural didnt work completely it numbed the contractions but I could still feel my legs and I felt every inch of my baby as she made her way into the world. I thought that when I met the little person that had been growing inside me that I would be overwhelmed with a rush of love…. I wasn’t! The truth is I was just so exhausted all I felt was relief! She was 7lb 11oz and perfectly formed. Before they had finished stitching me up I got a huge headache, the epidural that punctured my spinal fluid had resulted in an epi headache. I had to lie flat in my back until the next day when I was given a blood transfusion into my spine. I felt helpless. It took 3 days and a second blood transfusion to clear the headache, I had also bruised my tail bone, the recovery was extremely slow, I didn’t realize how much giving birth took out of you. But with each day that passed the pain lessened and my love for my daughter deepened. Now 6 weeks later I finally feel more normal and pain free… I’ve lost the 27lb I had gained, with the only proof of my child being the marks on my tummy and the saggy skin they cling too!!
Will this ever get better… Can exercise make my tummy look normal again??
Exercise will help improve the appearance of your tummy. My tummy looks exactly the same and I gained 65 and 70 pounds during both my pregnancies. You just had your baby, give yourself some time and enjoy being a mommy. By her first birthday, the stretch marks will be faded. As far as exercise, get a lot of cardio and work your abs and obliques. Building up muscle under the skin will help. Congrats on your little one!
I had a similar experience. 24 hours of labor. No pain meds (my choice). 4-1/2 hours of pushing because the girl child had an ENORMOUS HEAD. Then we had nursing issues. It was probably every bit of six weeks before I truly felt bonded with her. And you know what? She’s nine now and we’re fine. We have an incredibly close relationship. So it’s all good. And so brave of you to admit your feelings.
As far as your stomach, at only six weeks postpartum, I think you should give yourself a break. Nourish your body, move it with joy, and see where you’re at in a few months.
You have the cutest belly-button ever. :-)
Hello! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story. You reminded me of my birth of my 7 lb 11 oz daughter, now 6. It was so exhausting and the bond wasn’t immediate, but of course I love her more than anything in the world, as well as my 18 month old son! :)
Your tummy is so thin for 6 weeks!!! That’s so impressive!!! :D :D :D With time, you’ll be even thinner – it’s rather amazing how it continues to go down. And the stretch marks will fade until they’re white and won’t be so evident. Try not to focus on this right now because it is NOTHING like what it will look like in a year. I promise!!! I promise! :) In fact, keep all of the pictures you’re taking and take more over time. Like me, you’ll be shocked at the changes your body makes. Come back and update us when you get a chance. :) Once again, congrats!!! And take lots of pictures of your little girl because it truly goes by so fast…
Our bodies are nothing pretty right after giving birth. Give yourself some more time and you will be amazed at the changes your body goes through. You’re so right labor will suck out every last drop of energy and more out of you. When I held my son for the first time I just started crying from exhaustion. All I could think of was sleep sleep sleep. Enjoy your little one as much as you can :)
Listen to us and give yourself a break. I know that 6 weeks of being in pain and trying to bond with your baby must seem interminable but it’s only 6 weeks! You don’t have to do anything and the healing process going on in your body will do a lot of the work for you. The stretch marks will fade. I promise! Have you been checked for diastasis recti? If not, have your doc check so that when you work your abs again you won’t be making a muscle separation worse. For now, enjoy your baby. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! You will never get this time back and it’s magical. Exhausting but magical! By the way, I didn’t bond right away with my younger son. The second I looked at my firstborn that was it. With my second it was different. I had a host of health issues in the weeks that followed his birth and it took a long visit with my parents to heal my body and allow me the time to fall in love with my baby. It’s hard to admit. I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Hi all, thank you so much for you kind words and encouragement. Once I got over the trauma of my labour and the pain that followed I felt so much better, I adore my daughter and don’t think I will ever be able to explain just how much I love her! I am at the stage when I can look back at my labour and say; ok that wastage hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, my body is scared forever, but my beautiful little girl was worth all of it and I will do it again! … Just don’t ask me when, lol.
I guess I shouldn’t be in such a rush and be greatful that my body is already doing so well. Most days I don’t let it annoy me but it isn’t always easy. I will keep a monthly photo diary and share it with you in the future.
Give your body some time! Here is proof that your stretch marks will fade – https://theshapeofamother.com/blog/my-stretch-mark-journey-toni/. My first image was taken at 7weeks pp. I also didn’t have the instant overwhelming feeling of love… it was a love that grew, and still is growing. You’re beautiful!