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Oh, the vanity: question about post-partum belly  

post #1 of 22
9/25/07 at 8:34pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, okay, I know this post will reveal how shallow I really am, but here goes. I certainly remember from my first pregnancy that at 6 days post-partum I wasn't back in pre-pregnancy form. Heck, I was just off being catheterized and was barely walking at 6 days last time, so all things considered, this post-partum period is a breeze. However, what I don't remember is still looking really, really pregnant. I don't mean pudgier than normal, or even post-pregnancy belly flab, I mean still having that bowling ball in the shirt look. It's sort of a flattened bowling ball, but I still dread walking out of the house and being asked when I'm due.

So first question: is this normal? And second question: is there anything I can do about it? Is this why people wear girdles?????

Oh, and if you have a nice, flat, stretchmark-free belly, please don't reply.
post #2 of 22
9/25/07 at 9:34pm
well my bely isn't like that (flat, non stretch makred etc.) at least not right now
Maybe 9 months ago ...

Anyway, um it could be a combo of things, like, constipation?
Or maybe things got pushed around more if this baby was bigger?

It will go back to somewhat normal soon, give it a week or so
post #3 of 22
9/25/07 at 9:46pm
It is normal. Each woman's body returns to prepregancy state on its own timetable. It will go down soon. The best thing you can do is nurse a lot to get your uterus back to its normal size. Make sure you stay regular as well and drink plenty of water and the most important thing, patience.
Wendi
post #4 of 22
9/25/07 at 11:07pm
i had a csection this time around and when i left the hospital my stomach was still a little swollen, so i had a round-ness, but by about 10 days PP it was gone. now at 3 weeks, i don't look like i had a baby 3 weeks ago. only 1 lb to go and i'm back to my PP weight.

i have been wearing panties that have some support. i think that helps
post #5 of 22
9/26/07 at 12:06am
tomorrow I'll be 3 weeks pp and i still look pg (and normally i'm quite thin). i don't look 9 months pg, but I still look pg i'm blaming it on this being my 3rd. i just won't go out in public w/o the babe - that way no one will ask when i'm due
post #6 of 22
9/26/07 at 12:37am
I think the bowling ball belly phenomena is due to good abs. Your body is still adjusting and shrinking, but in the meantime, your abs are doing such a good job of holding it together, rather than letting it all hang out and around, that your look, well, still pregnant. It's really a good thing. lol

Don't worry, remember 9 mo in 9 mo out.
post #7 of 22
9/26/07 at 12:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by starbarrett View Post
I think the bowling ball belly phenomena is due to good abs. Your body is still adjusting and shrinking, but in the meantime, your abs are doing such a good job of holding it together, rather than letting it all hang out and around, that your look, well, still pregnant. It's really a good thing. lol

Don't worry, remember 9 mo in 9 mo out.
Well, I don't think I had fabulous abs going into this pregnancy (I ran a half marathon during my first pregnancy, but this time around, the walk to preschool was about as strenuous as it got ). However, this theory makes me feel better, so I'll go with it!
post #8 of 22
9/26/07 at 12:52am
In my family the women always bound themselves with something. Like my grandma showed my mom how to tie a towel around her middle after having a baby. After my kids I wore those after pg belly band things and those supportive "granny" panties. Don't know if any of that really helps, but I did like the feeling of support so I wasn't just flabby
post #9 of 22
9/26/07 at 1:27am
Here is my belly at 4 days pp.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ry29-13-07.jpg
And at 2w pp.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...w/000_2504.jpg

I still have about 19 pounds to lose...ugh...the first 20 came off pretty quick. I have been wearing a girdle (never did after previous births though) and I can't tell if it has made that much of a difference.
post #10 of 22
9/26/07 at 10:57am
there might be something to this. my ob said that my abs looked great and were very strong. she said it's probably a HUGE reason my back never hurts when i'm pg.

i think this is the first time i haven't looked pg at 2-3 weeks pp. i'm pretty sure it was MONTHS with my first three

i am still too nervous to even try on my regular pants though LOL. i don't want to put them on and have them not fit. so, i'm going to wait another week or so and see how i feel then.

i have been going to the gym and walking at night, so i hope that helps get everything back where it needs to be LOL




Quote:
Originally Posted by starbarrett View Post
I think the bowling ball belly phenomena is due to good abs. Your body is still adjusting and shrinking, but in the meantime, your abs are doing such a good job of holding it together, rather than letting it all hang out and around, that your look, well, still pregnant. It's really a good thing. lol

Don't worry, remember 9 mo in 9 mo out.
post #11 of 22
9/26/07 at 11:35am
I'm currently 12.5 lbs under my pre-preg weight....but........I have a lot of excess belly skin.. Both my kids were very "basketball" like and really did a number on my stomach.. For me I look like I have some belly fat, and not that of a post-preg belly. I totally need a tummy tuck...

***my belly looks like teniprice 2wk pp picture**
post #12 of 22
9/26/07 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
Teniece, that looks great for 2 weeks pp! You definitely look like you're headed back to pre-pregnancy shape.

Kleine Hexe, what are the post-pregnancy belly band things? I think I need one!
post #13 of 22
9/26/07 at 6:53pm
Like this

http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Comfort.../dp/B00008X36G

or this

http://www.amazon.com/Medela-Postpar.../dp/B0001CTZ8A
post #14 of 22
9/26/07 at 9:10pm
ok, teniprice, you just shot my whole theory about my big belly being the result of three kids : ( ) so now I need a new excuse.
post #15 of 22
9/26/07 at 11:39pm
i had something like that after babe #3 and it wasn't all that comfortable.

i look like teniprice too. and i have never looked like this so soon after delivery before. i've never taken after pics, i should've though.
post #16 of 22
9/27/07 at 1:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by danaalex View Post
i had something like that after babe #3 and it wasn't all that comfortable.

Who said anything about comfort? We're talking about vanity.
post #17 of 22
9/27/07 at 2:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe View Post
Who said anything about comfort? We're talking about vanity.
post #18 of 22
9/27/07 at 5:08am
Hey, could I just use spanx? I am wondering if some "support" would help not just the look (yes that is my main incentive: ) but also some recovery?

Any thoughts? The girdles kind of scare me....
post #19 of 22
9/27/07 at 3:07pm
LOL.

for me, it came down to comfort i guess. i sat a lot nursing and it was really uncomfortable to sit in so, i wore it the first couple of days PP and then that was about it.

this time i got some granny panties that are like major control top? started wearing them at like 5 days pp? or maybe 4. and they are really comfortable. and held it all in my tummy is not flat for sure, but i do not look like i had a baby recently either. and i certainly don't look pg anymore LOL.




Quote:
Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe View Post
Who said anything about comfort? We're talking about vanity.
post #20 of 22
9/27/07 at 6:03pm
Yes, those control top granny panties are very nice.
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