post pregnancy body bits and complaints

cbyrd

it's now 14 weeks since i had ben and i'm wondering when do the tummy muscles knit back fully... weeks or months?? i have a 2 finger gap at my belly button and although i'm doing my tummy exercises regulary and am now doing sit ups and walking loads i'm worrying this is not normal...

that's really my only complaint for now... i'm getting lots of sleep but i'm still knackered though i know from experience that this does not get better with me:D

wolfpawnat

Every woman is different I'm afraid, everything from diet and exercise to even genetics are factors. I had Aidan 14 months ago and by emergency section, I was size 10 before the pregnancy and now am a size 8 (running around after him and not being able to snack as often added to a healthy diet and walking) but though my stomach muscles are toned enough, my skin is still very saggy and very wobbly!!!! But that is me and I am not able to say what everone else is like. As long as you do the exercises you were given and do a bit of walking you will be fine

crazy cat lady

My tummy is still so flabby that I can't feel my tummy muscles

I'm working on it tho - 2 weeks in weight watchers and 10lb down so far!

I won't go into the problems I'm having with my body! Lets just say that at this rate Megan won't be getting a brother or sister EVER!

bulmersgal

Oh my god don't get me started on pain after baby. I'm still so sore down there 2 weeks after having Elisha

Does anybody no when this pain will go? My stomach is not to bad, i've lost stone and a half belly still to come down a bit tho

hacked

hey bulmers! I had Isobel 4 weeks ago tomorrow...and the pain is now starting to fade. I had a big baby and a lot of stitches, and I found the pain was bad enough up to two weeks, and then it started to fade...you do remain quite sensitive for a long time though! All I can say is get some nice large soft maternity pads so they aren't rubbing, and wear nice loose clothing!

cbyrd

my biggest problem is i was eating so little in the last 3 months that i was so thin when i had him!!(well as thin as i'd been since i met my husband:rolleyes:) then i got a normal appetite.. as in the indigestion was gone and i could eat.. now i can see weight creeping up and it's freaking me out:eek: i'm in training for the mini-marathon in june.. and i can honestly say it's doing my hip the world of good.. i'm now not limping except when i get up in the mornings..
CCL and bulmersgal well done if only it were as easy to loose it as put it on i'd be a size 0:D my eternal wonder is... are all those skinny women really happy????:p:D

bogtotty

bulmersgal wrote: »

Oh my god don't get me started on pain after baby. I'm still so sore down there 2 weeks after having Elisha

Bulmersgal, if you had stitches or tearing or just general achiness, I really recommend taking plenty of sitz baths. Fill the bath enough to cover your bits. Make sure the water is as hot as you can bear. Throw in some tea tree oil. Immerse your nether bits until the water has cooled. Spread a towel on the bed and allow the area to air dry. Repeat as many times a day as you have time for.

Sprinkling a few drops of tea tree oil on your pads keeps things fresh too.

I was very sore for 3 weeks, was coping by week 4 and close to normal by week 6. I don't think I'll ever truly feel normal again though (8 months later...).

ebmma

cbyrd wrote: »

it's now 14 weeks since i had ben and i'm wondering when do the tummy muscles knit back fully... weeks or months?? i have a 2 finger gap at my belly button and although i'm doing my tummy exercises regulary and am now doing sit ups and walking loads i'm worrying this is not normal...

that's really my only complaint for now... i'm getting lots of sleep but i'm still knackered though i know from experience that this does not get better with me:D

if you had your baby in Holles St they have a 'healthy bodies after birth' class. Apparently physiotherapist goes through specific exercises and answers questions you have. I'm planning to go once my section wound heals up. Had 2 wound infections and only healing up now (Robin's 7 weeks).

looking forward to doing some exercises - my tummy is a bit lopsided whatever way they stitched me up

crazy cat lady

bogtotty wrote: »

Sprinkling a few drops of tea tree oil on your pads keeps things fresh too.

This generally isn't recommended as it is far too concentrated and thought to kill all of the bacteria down there, even the friendly stuff that helps you to heal. A few drops in the bath is very good though

lolli

crazy cat lady wrote: »

This generally isn't recommended as it is far too concentrated and thought to kill all of the bacteria down there, even the friendly stuff that helps you to heal. A few drops in the bath is very good though

I had a 3rd degree tear when i had Saoirse 14 weeks ago and I was told to put hazel witch in the bath and on the pad

Das Kitty

I still have no sensation in the skin on my lower belly, which is fine, however it's always hanging out of the bottom of my tops and because I can't feel the breeze I don't notice. Yark!

That and my belly being so disproportionate to the rest of me that I still don't fit in trousers or jeans. Harumph!

wolfpawnat

I had no sensation on the skin there either for near on 7 months!

And yes that excess flab is really hard to keep in, what I did was use those tight fitting string vests from Pennys that are made for jogging and then wear my clothes over it!

January

16 months after having my section and I can barely feel any sensation in the skin around my scar... Sooo want a tummy tuck for the overhang

cbyrd

i just have overhang!! had it before i got pregnant too !! not as bad now since i lost some weight while i was pregnant.. just have to try not to put it on!! difficult :rolleyes:
i'm using the bio oil again and it seems to be helping but there's some great tops in penneys now. i got one and wore it on saturday.. went in this morning and got the same in all the different colours they've an elasticated top and lots of room.. A line... hides the lumps.!:) €5 each

January

So going there!!

caprilicious

I shouldnt complain because nothing is sore but I just hate my figure.
I'm a stone heavier/a dress size bigger & feel like such a chunky monkey!

I know if I got off my ass and did some walking it'd help but I'm far too tired By the time I feed madame, get her changed/asleep and tackle the housework all I'm fit for is sleep!
The mad thing is if I found out I was pregnant now I'd be delighted.
That's either the hormones or just me wanting a 9 month excuse not to have to work on losing that extra stone

cynder

3 years and still waiting,

my first baby i was back to normal after 2 weeks (she weighed 4.2 kgs)and stayed the same until 2nd baby again after 2 weeks back to 9 stone (he was a premature baby at 3.6kgs), 3rd baby i only lost the baby weight of 4.085 kgs.

my tummy never got back to shape after the 3rd one, so im starting bootcamp on tuesday.

cbyrd

CAP know what you mean about being pregnant... i had no waistline to worry about ...it was great while it lasted!!:D i think though if i even broached the subject with my husband he'd kill me:eek::D and i'm getting a full nights sleep but some days i'm still crippled with tiredness..strange...

caprilicious

Cbyrd - I have my husband freaked out, now he's saying he wants to wait til number 1 is potty trained before having number 2. yeah right! There's 2 years between my sister and I so I'd love no more than 2 years between my own babies.

I wonder if you took iron would it help the tiredness? I'm taking multivitamins & think they're helping a bit

Quackles

I think after 15 months, I need to face the fact that my belly is going nowhere unless I do something about it Worst of all, I'm like 35lb lighter than I was when I got pregnant, but that stupid belly is still flopping around the place I hate the exercise word so much, but I fear it's time to use it.

cbyrd

Quackles.. i hear ya!!:D but i have mastered a plan that doesn't feel like exercise.. i have a yoga mat on the floor my leg weights my dumbells and good tv in the evenings when the kids are in bed...situps leg raises toning exercises for my arms and then in the mornings i'll walk the kids to school.. it seems to be starting to work...

MY HAIR. oh my god... i have a hairline that is starting to resemble my husbands:eek::eek::eek: was going to get it cut for the christening.. now i'm just wondering whats the best comb-over style:( my poor hair...*sniff sniff*

Das Kitty

Yo!

Anyone have experience of losing their hair after pregnancy? I'm losing a lot. Every morning when I wake up there is at least 50 strands on the pillow and I'm finding my hair everywhere. I even seem to be developing a bit of a bald patch on my crown!

There'll be 3 baldies in this house before long if it continues!

caprilicious

Yep Das Kitty, meet your sister

There seems to be bits of my hair all over the house, I'm like a feckin dog that's moulting! :D

crazy cat lady

On a plus not for the hair loss... I've only needed 1 leg wax since Megan was born

My body seems to be co-operating with me a bit more now! Still a long way to go with the weight loss, but I don't have an overhang anymore! Still a big wobbly jelly belly and rather attractive stretch marks, so no bikini for me this year, or next year, or any year to come!

Just out of curiosity, how long should it take for auntie flo to pay a visit after giving up breastfeeding?

Das Kitty

Haven't a clue, 5 weeks now and nothing.

Nevyn

You hair can go to crap while preggers cos the baby gets piority for all the vitamin and nutriants. I found that boots nail and hair supplements helped it back into condition.

Das Kitty

It's as though I lost no hair at all whilst pregnant and now it's all going away. It was luxurious during the pregnancy, and not just on my head!

At least my belly hair has all fallen out too!

hacked

10 weeks after giving birth, and my back muscles are starting to cause havoc....is this normal?

Nevyn

By ten weks your womb should be roughly back to the size it was before you gave birth and your pelvis and all your muscles have to reshape them sevles. Ifyou are suffering wth it do go to your dr.

cbyrd

Das Kitty wrote: »

Yo!

Anyone have experience of losing their hair after pregnancy? I'm losing a lot. Every morning when I wake up there is at least 50 strands on the pillow and I'm finding my hair everywhere. I even seem to be developing a bit of a bald patch on my crown!

There'll be 3 baldies in this house before long if it continues!

i hear you on that one!! you don't lose hair when you're pregnant.. hence the hairy belly!! and then after it all falls out at the same time!! it will recover eventually! I have had to take scissors to my hair and cut in a fringe cos mine has receeded beck about a half inch:eek:
it did this after my 2nd baba and it took ages to recover and when it did grow back it was curly!! don't worry about it anyway that'll only make it worse and if you've a good hairdresser they can advise you on shorter styles til it thickens up again! basically a ladycombover:D:D:D

cbyrd

hacked wrote: »

10 weeks after giving birth, and my back muscles are starting to cause havoc....is this normal?

are you carrying isobel a lot ?? lots of cushions under elbows when you're feeding her!! my shoulders are wrecked from ben

Das Kitty

cbyrd wrote: »

i hear you on that one!! you don't lose hair when you're pregnant.. hence the hairy belly!! and then after it all falls out at the same time!! it will recover eventually! I have had to take scissors to my hair and cut in a fringe cos mine has receeded beck about a half inch:eek:
it did this after my 2nd baba and it took ages to recover and when it did grow back it was curly!! don't worry about it anyway that'll only make it worse and if you've a good hairdresser they can advise you on shorter styles til it thickens up again! basically a ladycombover:D:D:D

I took a good look in the mirror this morning and yes, I have a receding hairline! Oh my! It is growing back a bit though. I'd be very surprised if it grows back curly though as my hair is poker straight. It doesn't look too bad at the mo so I'll see how it goes!

caprilicious

I am just really thankful that I have a really thick head of hair because it is falling out in fist fulls now :eek:
Its actually pretty horrible I keep having to unblock the hoover when I hoover the house there's that many long strands of hair in it

So glad the hair belly has gone, wish I could say my leg hair was falling out or not growing as fast but no such luck!

Can I ask ye, did your periods go back to normal when they did return?
I had one last month (first since) and all was fine, but I'm over a week late now, I've done 2 x pregnancy tests and both came back negative.
Just wondering should it be the case that it takes a while for a regular 4 week cycle to return?
Mine always were regular as clockwork

So jealous, met with a pal of mine yesterday who had her little boy 2 weeks after me and she's back in size 8 - 10 jeans. I'm in size 14 and can only barely squeeze into a pair of size 12 jeans if I don't breathe/sit down

January

Was at the hairdressers today and hair was falling out all over the place!!

Periods are mental, had first since Saoirse was born and was soaking a tampon & pad every 2-3 hours.

Still not back to normal size, serious diet gonna start on Monday. Need to be skinnier!

crazy cat lady

I'm wondering about the whole period thing too! I had one 7th April and nothing since! I'm not complaining, I'd just like to know. We know how these things turn up at the most inconsiderate times when we're not prepared!

Chuchu

Hi everyone just wanted to jump in here... my little critter is 9 months and my periods are back regular these past 3 months only... BUT they are still WAY heavier than they ever were (and mine were always quite bad in the first place!!) I wonder how long this will continue for or if I'll just have to get used to it

Das Kitty

I haven't a clue, still no period here. If they're going to be heavy it makes me glad that I use a mooncup!

Feeling much more energetic at long last, James is sleeping really well and so am I! We've been walking heaps and I've lost a few pounds. My arms are probably the most toned they have ever been from lugging the little dude around.

cbyrd

my hair has stopped falling out thank god... there's not much left :eek: i've had 2 periods and pretty much the second was on time...2 or 3 days early.. but the first was very heavy the second was lighter but lasted longer..:( i'm due now on the 9th...so i'll see if its regular or not soon enough, if it 2-3 days early that means i'll be trottin the mini-marathon in full flow...should be interesting:D:eek:

bulmersgal

Is anybody else bleeding a little after sex? Its only a drop or two but still not what I want. Had baby 8 weeks ago!

I'm doing the mini marathon as well on Monday, can't wait :-D

Das Kitty

bulmersgal wrote: »

Is anybody else bleeding a little after sex? Its only a drop or two but still not what I want. Had baby 8 weeks ago!

Not personally but your cervix remains very tender for quite a few months so that's more than likely what it is. If you're worried about it give your doctor or PHN a ring.

caprilicious

Chuchu, do you mind me asking, were yours very far apart like 5 -6 weeks apart instead of the usual 4 weeks?
I'm going to do another pregnancy test if I don't have them by Wednesday, I wonder should I call my Doc about it or is it normal?
Must google I absolutely hate going to the Doc unless I'm at deaths door. After all the hours I spent in Doctor/Hospital waiting rooms last year for Ante Natal care I could happily not go neither again for a long time

Chuchu

Cap... the first 2 or 3 were quite late, like 6 then 5 weeks then finally back to 4. But keep an eye on it and do another test or two if needs be. I'm sure every woman is different and you could easily just be taking that bit longer for things to sort themselves out.

caprilicious

Thanks Chuchu, will give it a few days before I test again.:)

Mummys Tummy

i had a baby boy 8 months ago and only now am i starting to see a real difference in my body, as they say 9 months on and 9 months off it has been true for me and it dosent help when you meet those girls who leave their bump behind in the hospital! take the pressure off yourself. keep going with your exercises, loads of walking and post natal classes are great too, try mum and baby yoga to get a great stretch, work on tummy muscles and pelvic floor too!

Mummys Tummy

i had a baby boy 8 months ago and only now am i starting to see a real difference in my body, as they say 9 months on and 9 months off it has been true for me and it dosent help when you meet those girls who leave their bump behind in the hospital! take the pressure off yourself. keep going with your exercises, loads of walking and post natal classes are great too, try mum and baby yoga to get a great stretch, work on tummy muscles and pelvic floor too!

hacked

This is a rather strange one, has it happened to anyone else? I find after having a normal vaginal delivery I have lost sensation in my bladder! Literally. I won't feel a thing until my bladder is so full its literally about to start leaking. This is really frustrating as you are so busy with the baby you tend to forget to pee and really are depending on your bladder to remind you!

Das Kitty

hacked wrote: »

This is a rather strange one, has it happened to anyone else? I find after having a normal vaginal delivery I have lost sensation in my bladder! Literally. I won't feel a thing until my bladder is so full its literally about to start leaking. This is really frustrating as you are so busy with the baby you tend to forget to pee and really are depending on your bladder to remind you!

I had a c-section and it was the same until I started doing my pelvic floor exercises regularly, back to normal now.

cbyrd

I find some nights when i'm sleeping i arch my back like i'm still pregnant... i wake up i can't move for a while.. it's so sore!! anyone know how i can stop myself doing this??

bulmersgal

Has this happened to anybody? Had a baby 10 weeks ago and this is now my 3rd period but it is currently been here 10 days and its getting heavier not lighter.

Wish my body would go back to normal! Was nearly crying because I seen some people push a car out of a busy junction and I was like aww thats really nice.

hacked

How much are you bleeding, and how big are the blood clots, if any?

It's normal to continue bleeding after you have a baby for a good number of weeks. I know some people who have bled for 9 weeks, while I only bled for a week or two and then had residue for a few weeks. I Was told if my blood clots got too big then it could mean I had an infection.

Did you get checked out at 6 weeks?

bulmersgal

I bleed on and off for 6 weeks after having baby but it was light. Then had 2 weeks break and its back its not heavy heavy its like the middle of your period.

Went to doc's at 6 weeks but she didn't really look at me only baby just asked how i felted