Post Partum Body

[preppy]

As I get closer to my due date I have started wondering about how things will look after I have this baby. I have gained almost 40lbs and have 4 weeks left. I am wondering what some STMs experiences have been with how much you lose just from having the baby and losing the swelling, and how much is lost by diet and exercise.

I am also wondering how long it takes before you can exercise, is it usually at your 6 week appointment that you are cleared? I know diet can impact your supply for nursing but does exercise typically also impact supply?

I want to have realistic expectations and not overwhelm myself but I also know that I worked hard for my pre-baby body and hope I can do so again after she is born.

[gretchenindisguise]

How did it go after your first born?

Mine was basically the same with #2 as it was with #1, but a smidgen slower. So I was where I was 6 weeks pp with #1 at about 9-10w pp with #2. Maybe less.

[preppy]

Aug 24, 2015 22:00:24 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

How did it go after your first born?

Mine was basically the same with #2 as it was with #1, but a smidgen slower. So I was where I was 6 weeks pp with #1 at about 9-10w pp with #2. Maybe less.

This is baby #1 so nothing to compare it too:)

[mannah]

I gained a little over 35 lbs my last pregnancy. I lost about 15 lbs without doing much of anything in the few weeks after birth. I was BF. Around 9 month pp I got sick of feeling shitty about myself and I lost the remaining 20 lbs plus a few more by stopping drinking, working out, and eating well. I felt great about myself again right as I got knocked up with #2

Looking at my pp body took some getting used to, even at a lower weight than prepregnacy my shake was just different so things didn't look the same. Some things I liked better some things I missed. Just try to go easy on yourself and respect what your body is doing. It's pretty amazing.

[mannah]

A timely post on MMM:

pandce.proboards.com/thread/472388/tell-me-postpartum-body

ETA:
I read the post after I linked and perhaps I shouldn't have... It's not super positive.

[Deleted]

I gained about 35 lbs last time and I think I lost it all by 3 months or so. Bfing helped me a lot. My body shape was okay but my stretch marks were just getting a little better by the time I got pg again. I didn't work out.

[noodleoo]

I was actually down to my prepregnancy weight pretty quickly after baby. I can't remember exactly when, but definitely by 8 weeks. But things are definitely different. My belly is still wide and flabby and my clothes don't fit right. I'm not stressing about it though, having a newborn is hard enough without adding more stress about my body. It mostly just annoys me because I don't want to buy new clothes yet but I feel like I have nothing to wear. Breastfeeding is interesting too since my breasts are still huge, but I'm getting so many plugged duct issues that I'm afraid to wear a supportive bra. It is a good thing I've never cared much about how I look.

Oh and while I didn't get stretch marks on my belly (yay!!) I did get them on my breasts from being engorged (boo!). That was an unpleasant surprise after baby. I thought I was in the clear.

[Deleted]

I lost all the weight by about 8 months out. I thought I looked really good after DD. it wasn't until I saw pictures that I realized I was still pretty puffy for a couple of months after. I didn't specifically work to lose the weight, just exercised and ate somewhat reasonably. I was BFing so my appetite was really impressive until we started cutting back.We will see how it goes with this pregnancy.

[Muddled]

I don't even want to think about it.

[starburst604]

I gained about 45 lbs. and lost about 30 of it within a few weeks after birth. But, I'd gained 10 lbs from fertility drugs prior to pregnancy so I'm still dealing with 25-30 lbs to lose. My thighs took the brunt of pregnancy, I can't look at them naked. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I teach fitness classes and right now I feel like new participants who don't know I just had a baby are looking at me critically. I really should be kinder to myself but that and none of my clothes fitting sucks. Having to jump right into summer clothes wasn't fun either. You're lucky to be heading into cooler weather so you can cover up if you don't feel top notch.

[kaycee]

I had a restricted diet because of my DD, so I lost it all and more. I don't think that will happen this time.
I followed a 9 month on and 9 months off rule before I even thought about it though.

[preppy]

I wrote this post then fell asleep. If sounds like people's experiences vary wildly but that at least some of it does come off naturally from birth.

starburst604 I have also gained a lot in my thighs and have cellulite there for the first time and it's freaking me out. Are you nursing? I am wondering if your classes/workouts are impacting supply.

[preppy]

Aug 25, 2015 6:20:48 GMT -5 kaycee said:

I had a restricted diet because of my DD, so I lost it all and more. I don't think that will happen this time.
I followed a 9 month on and 9 months off rule before I even thought about it though.

I haven't really heard the 9 months on 9 months off rule. I gues that does make sense.

[preppy]

Aug 25, 2015 4:52:11 GMT -5 Muddled said:

I don't even want to think about it.

I am just thinking of new things to worry about over here.

[preppy]

Aug 24, 2015 22:11:16 GMT -5 mannah said:

A timely post on MMM:

pandce.proboards.com/thread/472388/tell-me-postpartum-body

ETA:
I read the post after I linked and perhaps I shouldn't have... It's not super positive.

I read through it. While it's not super positive it is atleast helpful in making me more realistic. Like in my mind when we go to St Croix 4.5 months postpartum I'm like "I will be back in the same shape in my bikini!" but I can see that may not be realistic and it's good to know that now. So def still helpful.

[starburst604]

Aug 25, 2015 6:21:29 GMT -5 preppy said:

I wrote this post then fell asleep. If sounds like people's experiences vary wildly but that at least some of it does come off naturally from birth.

starburst604 I have also gained a lot in my thighs and have cellulite there for the first time and it's freaking me out. Are you nursing? I am wondering if your classes/workouts are impacting supply.

I weaned a few weeks ago. I was EPing for most of that time and my supply was good until I got my period at 7 weeks PP (wtf) then it cut almost in half. Then I went back to work and wanted to spend the little time I have at home not tied to the pump, eeking out a pitiful supply.

I really need to be more patient with myself, I'm barely 4 months PP but I'm anxious for my body to get back to normal.

[kaycee]

I will add that I was not cleared for anything at my 6 week check up and it took me a little more than 12 weeks to heal from my stitches. I had ripped them open and didn't know because I thought the pain I was in was normal postpartum. My advice is to really take it easy those first 6 weeks and not push yourself too hard. I wish I would have done this, but I was trying too hard to be one of these people that springs back to their normal self right after delivery.
Also I'm just happy I'm giving birth in leggings and boots season and not June like last time.

[Blackout81]

Everyone is different, even me and my sisters have all had completely different experiences. You might go through a period of hating your new body (I did) but hopefully if you do, you will also come to a place of acceptance (I did ).

The first 2-3 weeks, you still feel and look pregnant. I used a Belly binder and loved it, it helped everything feel contained and helped me feel better in my clothes. I wore it constantly, even sleeping. I EBF, (some say that helps we it loss, though I know plenty of EBF moms who struggled) and was down to a weight I was pretty comfortable with about 6 weeks post partum, but it was also summer, so I was out walking a lot as soon as I could (2-3 weeks, unplanned c-section).

I practiced and taught yoga throughout my entire pregnancy, and before, of course, I was able to go back at about 8 weeks and I cried during class. There was so much I just wasn't physically able to do or didn't feel right in my body. This took me a really long time to accept, - even 4 years later my practice was/is completely different than it was pre-baby. My back bends never got as deep as they used to be and the strength in my legs never got quite where it was before, but there were other things that actually felt *better* post-baby, such as balance poses and handstand, oddly enough. I will be really honest and say that my practice didn't start to feel really good again until this past winter - my DD was 3.5 - and then I finally got pg again,.

I gained a little more than 40lbs with I my first and after a few months, maintained a weight 2lbs heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight pretty easily, I'm not pushing myself for 2 lbs when I had a good balance of smart choices, excercise, and eating what I love. So I started this pregnancy exactly 2 lbs heavier than my last. I'm gaining at about the same rate (pretty quickly) and expecting a 40-45isj weight gain again. I do worry about it a little, almost everything says it doesn't come off as easily the second time around, but I'll just deal. About 10 years ago I lost 40 lbs and maintained 35 of it (give or take a bit), so I know what I have to do to be healthy and get my body to a good place. I remind myself that my body created and birthed a freaking human being and that's pretty amazing, no matter what it looks like.

[wanderingenough]

preppy - I've gained a lot in my thighs and have a lot of new cellulite there too. I really wasn't prepared for that part of it. They look like they are covered in hail damage. I feel ya, lady!

[Muddled]

Aug 25, 2015 6:23:23 GMT -5 preppy said:

Aug 25, 2015 4:52:11 GMT -5 Muddled said:

I don't even want to think about it.

I am just thinking of. new things to worry about over here.

Because there is not enough.

[dcn]

I gained around 35 lbs with Ds and had lost most of it other than 5-10 lbs by my 6 week check up. I am one of those lucky people that breastfeeding made the weight just fall off. I think I was back in my regular pp pants by 3 months out, though with a little bit of a muffin tip that I didn't have before. I want to say it took a couple more months to get rid of that.

I was cleared for exercise at my 6 week appt but had a third degree tear and was sore if I did too much for a few more weeks. It was winter and Ds was a terrible sleeper so I really didn't do much until the spring.

Running didn't really effect my supply but I ate all.the.time. I never really was able to build muscle back up until I weaned at 15 months, I think breastfeeding just took a lot of calories for me. I ended up about 5 lbs below pp weight and down a pant size.

[amaranth]

I gained just over 30lbs last time, and I think nearly all of it was in my butt and thighs. I went from wearing size zero pants to wearing 6-10 (depending on brand) but the same size shirts. I thought it was odd how my body shape changed.

Anyway, I lost all but 5 lbs with minimal exercise by 6 months, and my waist and hip measurement went back to normal by 7 months. I did have several intermediate pairs of jeans for those months. I didn't lose the remaining 5lbs until this month when I weaned my son.

Although I was able to fit in my pre-pregnancy clothes, everything was soft and flabby. My stomach wasnt even close to flat. I was just starting to see some progress from working out when I got this bfp. My muscles didn't seem to snap back with exercise the way they used to.

Honestly the best thing I did for myself was to invest in some new, loose shirts and fitted jeans that I loved. I still have been feeling pretty attractive even though my figure isn't what it used to be.

[preppy]

No shame farmvillelover I am also admittedly vain. I don't know the extent to which I will care postpartum but I am quite sure I will care.

I think I am borrowing trouble by starting to worry about this already though.

[mskitkat]

My take away is I am going to turn into my mother. I'll just be over in the corner sobbing if you need me.

[mcfelix]

With DS I gained 35-40 lbs (I stopped looking at the scale so I don't know the exact number). I remember thinking that I didn't lose much immediately after birth and was pissed. I had an easy delivery so I started working out on the elliptical at 2 weeks post partum and went back to crossfit at 6 weeks. It took 6 months for me to fit in my favorite pair of skinny jeans. Other than a weird hip pain that came and went, I didn't feel that much different. Oh also, I was breastfeeding exclusively until 8 months, and continued breastfeeding (along with giving formula and then whole milk) until 20 months.

This pregnancy I gained 37 lbs. I weighed myself yesterday (7 days post partum) and was pleasantly surprised that I'm down 14 lbs. So 23 lbs to get to pre-pregnancy weight, and then I'd love to lose another 10. Luckily I had an easy delivery again this time, so I will resume exercise soon. I am running in a marathon relay on DD's two month birthday so I'll start running (well walking and attempting to run) in another week or so. I feel like I could get on the elliptical now, but I'm just tired!!

[cheeseandcrackers]

I gained 53 pounds during my pregnancy.. 183 when I went to the hospital to deliver. My 1 week pp appointment I was 160, 2 weeks I was 156, 6 weeks pp I was around 146. Right now I am hovering between 135 and 136 (almost 5 months pp).. I was around 130 when I got pregnant. I feel like my diet was the most effective way to lose weight, but exercise helped me tone. My thighs are my problem area. I didn't start working out till 6 weeks.. i started doing ab work outs around week 4/5.
I'm not bf anymore, i mostly pumped but I stopped when she was 3 months.

[miamigirl]

Ugh... I'm already dreading this.

I'm not one of those naturally skinny people, but I feel better when I'm fit, so I need to work hard to maintain my weight. Living in a place where everybody's fit and goes to the beach/boating year round doesn't help either.

I gained 35 lb with this pregnancy, I know I will have to work hard to go back to my pre-pregnancy weight...

[jd15]

I started 10+ lbs up from my "regular" weight with my last pregnancy and gained 58 lbs (with twins). i lost 50 lbs within the first 2 weeks (probably close to 20 was swelling and fluid retention toward the end). the last ten took close to a year....and honestly i didn't feel like my old self until close to 3 years pp. but i didn't start back to a good exercise routine until the girls were almost 2.

be easy on your body - it is growing and birthing a human! i expect to be more active sooner this time around (like within a couple months) and hope to feel mostly myself by 1 year...we will see.

my body will never be the same. around 33 weeks last time i physically felt my stomach split a it and knew i would never be in a bikini again - i have the dreaded twin skin and ab seperation...there may be a tt in my future...

[D2M]

I gained 30 pounds with my daughter. I was down 18ish by the time I got home from the hospital. I gained 5 pounds within the first month because I was constantly hungry and I basically never left my couch; there was constantly a baby attached to my boobs. I got back to (slooow) running once I had the all clear from the OB, but I only got out a couple of times a week, so nothing intense at all. I walked a lot on maternity leave, but that was about it. When my daughter was around 8.5 months, I was still 10-12 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight and none of my old clothes fit, so I did the 21 Day Fix (low carb, high protein, lots of weighted exercise) and also started training for a half marathon. I ended up doing three rounds of the 21 Day Fix, each round less intense than the one before, but it worked. I lost the rest of the baby weight and I felt AMAZING and strong. My body wasn't 100 percent the same, but I appreciated just how much it had done/been through and I was in a happy place. Then I got pregnant again.

Everybody is really different. There were women in my moms' group who gained 50-60 pounds or more during pregnancy and looked amazing 3 months post partum just by... existing. Others had to fight for it. Like mannah said, be kind to yourself. Your body is doing something amazing right now.

[adlove]

I gained I think 38 lbs with my daughter. I didn't really track my weight loss well in the immediate weeks after she was born but I remember being stuck around 20 lbs up from pre-preg weight for a while there, so I probably lost those 18 lbs with the birth. The rest of it took a longgggg time to come off. I was not one of the lucky breastfeeding moms whose weight melted off. When I was about to wean at 18.5 months, I was still holding onto the last 10 or so lbs. I quickly lost about 5-7 lbs after weaning. Never got back to pre-preg weight and I don't expect to. I'm fine with my weight on the scale but yes my body has totally changed. I'd say I felt much more myself around 11-12 months post partum. I know it's really hard but try to be patient with yourself.