Depressed about my postpartum body

[NaturalMindedMomma]

I am an extremely vain person. I know that is horrible, but I admit it. I am not suffering from PPD. I love the baby, I love my life, I love being a mommy (most days). But my appearance is not helping me feel sexy or good about myself.

I am 8 weeks post partum, My stomach is sagging, I am hairy and have little time to take care of that, I smell most days and well I have acne like a 15 year old boy. My boobs are HUGE and sagging and leaking. LOL

Now I gained way less weight with this babe, but I am also 3 years older. My body just needs a lot of work and while I want to work out, the baby is a NEWBORN and likes to be held (which of course I understand is normal). I am truly cherishing her and this short time of her needing me as much as she does, but I am just antsy to be ME again. **SIGH**


That is my vent... Sorry for sounding so vain... ME ME ME.. LOL

[ShwarmaQueen]

That body, that you're hating to look at, grew your two beautiful, healthy children. What an amazing task!

Eat healthy, get out and exercise, nurse, you know how it goes...and enjoy your wonderful life and what truely matters.

[texaspeach]

I am not a vain person but I'm still a bit sad about PP body changes. DH isn't helping me come to terms with it either with his comments - some gems from the last week: Wow, I can't believe you're nearly back to your original weight you don't look any different. You have stretch marks on your boobs! (said to me right after I woke up to feed Wy, not exactly hello honey good morning, and the funny thing is I don't have new marks on my breasts, it was sheet writing and left over white indentations fro puberty growing that have always been there) At least your boobs aren't saggy [and ruined] (paraphrasing).

He doesn't mean them to be so hurtful, but jeez. I told him to keep his comments to himself, it took me nine months to grow a baby my body isn't going to go back to its former shape instantly. He apologized.

I pretty much look like hell. I need a hair cut, I have bags under my eye, I have stretch marks on my saggy belly and upper thighs, I hve mystery bruises all over, my breasts are alternately huge and engorged and floppy. It's hard to get used to this new deflated shape when just a few weeks ago I had a nice round belly.

[Kim Allen]

All I can say is I know how ya feel.

Aleast DH is supportive, He keeps reminding me how it will take time. "it took 9 months to look like that it will take a while to go back" I am grateful for him to be so understanding but I cant wait to be good looking agian and make him wow'd. I am planning on a haircut in a few days so hopefully I will feel better but I still need to get some clothes as all I am wearing is jeans,t-shirts,sweatpants, and a few flowy shirts to hide the bulge lol.

[Spring Sun]

I know how you feel. I still have 35lbs to get back to normal, but my goal is 30lbs to lose.

But, my breast at least look gorgeous They actually looked saggy a little before I got pregnant, and are so big now!

I am def going to go get a cut and color this weekend. I have not had one for over a year. It hink it will make me feel better.

I m also going to get some yoga pants (they make anyon'es butt look great) and some new tank tops. New clothes and hair always make me feel a little better.

When can I start working out? 5 weeks pp or 6?

Hang in there mama, I know it has to be harder bc you are doing this solo, and want to look good. Just give it a little time.

[Mamatoabunch]

I hate my stomach, I worked so hard last year to get back to prepreg size then pregnant again. I feel like I will never get to my goal weight. I have more extra pounds left this time. Working hard at it, but ugh.

[Koalamom]

I am feeling it too. I actually think I am bigger now than I was a few weeks ago. I have started working out, but gently first with just yoga, but I am going to up it soon- because my mother was over and brought me a shirt for my birthday and it was so tiny. After I opened it, she said "oh it looks too small for you" And I said, "mom I am not that big", and she said "no you are HUGE". I am crushed to hear those words said even if they are true.

I think I need a hair cut too, but how do get my hair done with a baby and toddler to take care of all day? I need to find a salon that has child care, or better yet a spa.

I wish you mamas lived close. I would watch your babies if you watch mine.

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by Spring Sun

When can I start working out? 5 weeks pp or 6?

Nothing hard core here, but I have been walking since week 3, about a 1/2 hour a day and now that it is September we are cutting, splitting and stacking wood. I am the stacker mostly.

[BlueMonday]

I despise the fourth trimester! I seriously don't leave my house without at least my newborn but usually and preferably both babies just so I can hold my head up re the size of my ass and still-inflated belly at 5 weeks pp. DB is a glass-half-full kinda guy and super supportive, always pointing out where I'm smaller and assuring me that he'd "still hit it". But I have a black tie wedding to attend in ten days with a branch of my family who haven't seen me in ten years and my stupid pre-baby formal dress is a good two or three inches from closing at the zipper even with spanx and I'm not looking to waste $ on a fat dress. Even my feet grew this pregnancy!

Spring Sun, I think I'm with you on getting new yoga pants, though it won't help the event issue. Wah wah wah.

[NaturalMindedMomma]

Originally Posted by brooklynbabymama

I despise the fourth trimester! I seriously don't leave my house without at least my newborn but usually and preferably both babies just so I can hold my head up re the size of my ass and still-inflated belly at 5 weeks pp. DB is a glass-half-full kinda guy and super supportive, always pointing out where I'm smaller and assuring me that he'd "still hit it". But I have a black tie wedding to attend in ten days with a branch of my family who haven't seen me in ten years and my stupid pre-baby formal dress is a good two or three inches from closing at the zipper even with spanx and I'm not looking to waste $ on a fat dress. Even my feet grew this pregnancy!

Spring Sun, I think I'm with you on getting new yoga pants, though it won't help the event issue. Wah wah wah.

LMFAO!!!! That is AWESOME...


You know, I am almost 8 weeks PP. See I used to workout religiously, I was supposed to compete in a figure/body building comp. I never nursed my first and was able to get right back in the gym. I am so happy and proud to be nursing and I know it is such a sacrifice.

I ordered P90X and have been playing with cutting calories to see what I can get away with, numbers wise, still feel undead and make milk for babe. I am more concerned about my lack of muscle tone and the cellulite. AND YA, whats up with the BRUISING?????

Anyway.. glad to be in the company of you sexy PP ladies. Thanks for commiserating and offering encouragement!

Anyway, I live on

[Jilian]

Bluebird, how mean of your mom! I'm sorry

NMM, what is p90x?

I feel disgusting too. DD spits up constantly so I am sweaty, fat, AND I get to smell like puke all the time too. I'm mad about my hair too, I cut it really short mid pregnancy and don't have the time to do it every morning so I look like a disaster. I need to start wearing hats or something. I just keep telling myself it will get better in a few mos. I'll fit into my clothes again. It will happen. Besides, a squishy belly is more comfy for baby to rest on, right

[texaspeach]

This morning the scale said I' back to my prepg weight... but that's like 35lbs over my ideal wt. And my belly skin is so floppy and squishy. I wish I'd gotten a belly bandit.

[aydensmama]

brooklyn-Dh uses that phrase.

We are all in a wedding on the 1st. I broke down and bought some nice jeans (we are flying to Louisville), and a few dresses (2 formal events and one cocktail). I got them at the outlet mall (sale), and I feel a bit better about going. The size I bought is huge, but it is flattering and not too small.

Good luck!

[wombatclay]

Formal events- it's more common for guys, but there are wedding shops that will rent items to women as well. Perhaps you can find something rentable? It may end up costing more than it would to buy though...

[Koalamom]

Originally Posted by Jilian

Besides, a squishy belly is more comfy for baby to rest on, right

You are too positive mama.

I was so ticked off when people would have ude comments while pregnant, but what is up with the after comments? The other day when I saw my brother, he asked me if I was pregnant again. Errg!

brooklyn, I agree about always having the kids with you while going out. If I carry the baby in a sling, I can hide my flabby belly pretty well (and the leaky milk spot on my sirt). I find myself leaving the sling on in public eben if the baby isn't in it.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

I was so ticked off when people would have ude comments while pregnant, but what is up with the after comments? The other day when I saw my brother, he asked me if I was pregnant again. Errg!

My dad made this same comment to me at 5 days pp.. I was like, DID YOU REALLY JUST SAY THAT? I think he got the idea that it was a dumb thing to say.. Ha ha.. Sigh.

I know that I'll get back to normal in a few months, so for now I just deal with it. I've been walking a couple of miles a day since about 3 week pp. Slowly but surely it's coming off. I have 20-25 more lbs to lose. I suspect it'll take me another 3-4 months. I do buy new transitional clothes that fit. I feel a lot better is clothes that fit me properly.

[mamadelbosque]

I'm so with you ladies. I seem to have stalled on the weight loosing thing at 165-170#s... which is like 20-25# over my pre-preggo weight (I gained 50+...). Of course, this time it all seems to be in my stomach, and I'm no-where near fitting into my pre-preggo pants, though the rest of my clothes fit fairly normally. :sigh: I just need to start exerscising... I see lots and lots and lots of crunches in my future!!

[Mamatoabunch]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1

brooklyn, I agree about always having the kids with you while going out. If I carry the baby in a sling, I can hide my flabby belly pretty well (and the leaky milk spot on my sirt). I find myself leaving the sling on in public eben if the baby isn't in it.

Me too! At least if I have baby w/ me I have an excuse, otherwise I am just a fat women, LOL.

[Kim Allen]

Im afraid someone is going to ask when I am going to have the baby!

[Jilian]

Originally Posted by Kim Allen

Im afraid someone is going to ask when I am going to have the baby!

When I was 2 weeks pp baby was sleeping so I ran to the drug store along real quick and the cashier asked when I was due. It was incredibly awkward so I just said the baby was already 2 weeks old. She stammered and tried to make nice conversation but I just hurried her and left. Good times!

My favorite was when my BIL came to meet the baby at 2 days pp and said "wow, your stomach is still huge, is that your real stomach?" My sister shot him the look of death and he shut right up. He's socially not all there IYKWIM