First I want to say that I love, adore, worship my baby boy. He has changed my life in so many good ways that I can’t even begin to ennumerate.
However, I used to be a thin woman. 5 ft. 9 and a size 4/6…I’ve lost all the weight from my pregnancy, but my doctor says I have a rather severe Diastisis Recti - which is just a fancy way of saying that your abdominal muscles have weakened to the point where your intestines are bulging forward with nothing to hold them in. Consequently, I still look 5 months pregnant and my son was born in September…This is extremely depressing. I bought something called “The Mummy Tummy” - which is an exercise program that is supposed to help with this particular problem. Apparently the exercises don’t always work if the Diastisis is severe (which I fear mine is)…so I might need to have an operation to correct it.
Anyone have any experience with this? Any comments would be MUCH appreciated. I’m really feeling down about this.
Thanks fessie . You’re right. I need to remember that, but I guess patience has never been one of my strong suits! I feel a bit embarassed because I still look pregnant. My old pants fit, but not my tops. Still, I am doing the exercises so hopefully I’ll see some results.
Start buying one peice swimsuits. With coverups. And watershorts.
Empire waists are good.
Don’t plan on getting your belly button pierced - not attractive on the post pregnancy tummy.
I’ve occationally looked at mine and though “surgery” - but I’ve decided I’m not vain enough to do it - and I only look three months pregnant and have a cottage cheese midsection worth of extra skin. And my husband still thinks I’m hot and I’m not interested in what anyone else thinks (well,…ok, I’m lying).
Don’t feel bad about feeling down, either, you’re still early in this mothering business! When my kids were 4-8 months old was the worst for me, I had a lot of days when I wondered what on earth I’d gotten myself into (it’s gotten better since then, I only wonder occasionally at this point ;)), Read Vicki Iovine, she’ll make you laugh & she has suggestions for body image issues.
Shana - just wanted to say congrats on your baby boy and good luck!
Sorry I don’t have any practical experience, but I hope the exercises work for you. My prenatal fitness instructor showed us special ways to prevent or reduce abdominal separation but also told us if you’re prone to it, there’s not much you can do to prevent it.
Enjoy your baby, take care of yourself, and try not to worry about how you look. I know it’s disheartening. My daughter was born 3 months ago and I am hoping to soon get rid of the last bits of extra baby weight.
Then I can start working on the extra weight that I can’t blame on the baby because I’ve been carrying it around for a few years now!
