post pregnancy issues please help?
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at
8:25 pm
gave birth 7 and half weeks ago and am back in a size 6-8 clothes. Problem is when im naked in front of mirror my shape has changed a bit on my hips. I have no muscle watsoever in my bum stomache and waist and my skin feels loose. not alot just when i sit down. i still have a linea negra and my whole belly button has gone dark brown. i didnt get big during pregnancy, i was all baby and have no stretchmarks. im 25 years old and this is first baby. I feel really emotional about my now body image any suggestions or am i destined to stay this way with dark mars on my body?
Filed under: Baby Clothes
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The best advice I got was from my Mom who reminded me that it took nine months for my body to completely distend to accomodate for the baby; it will take AT LEAST nine months for it to return to "normal" (whatever that is!). Rule of thumb, nine months up, nine months down.
With respect to the dark marks and the linea negra, yes, they do go away eventually. I still have a little bit of a "discoloration" below my bellow button (2 years later), however, I also have a few stretch marks there too. You can try Palmer’s Stretch Mark Cream or even Vitamin E oil. Both of those products, while not getting rid of stretch marks or skin discoloration completely, do help to reduce the effects.
One of the best things you have on your side is your age. You will find that your body "snaps back" more readily than someone (such as myself) who was in her 30′s when she got pregnant. Your skin is naturally more resilliant as are your tummy muscles.
And finally, you have just created a miracle; your new "mommy" body is a badge of honor! At least that’s how I view it. My mother-in-law said that I had my new "womanly" form. =) I was used to being built like a boy (narrow hips, flat tummy, small chest); then I got pregnant and developed hips and a chest! Was my husband ever surprised! LOL
A long time ago, when we were still "hunter/gatherers" the changes that occured in our bodies during and after childbirth (rounded hips, more robust chest, skin and hair darkening, etc.) was actually a sign to the males/potential mates that we women were fertile and capable of reproducing. It is something to be celebrated! It is only during the last 30-40 years that having a painfully thin figure (especially after child birth) has become the rage.
I say congratulations on your new baby and your new "mature" body. Enjoy your new status as a Mommy and celebrate the wonder and joy that you were able to create a little miracle!
Hun you just had a baby less then two months ago. It takes a year to fully physically recover from growing a human in your body:)
Exercise eat right and relax. Enjoy time with the new babe:)
Give yourself time and take up going to the gym (light at first they should be able to let you know what is suitable) to help firm your body after having a baby. Even though you might think you were all baby, obviously you body had to stretch out enough to accommodate for that baby. If you do not like going to a gym, or find it difficult to get to one, then find some other form of exercise to tone your body. Discussing exercise with your Dr is a good idea. They will know what is suitable for you to do, taking into account how the pregnancy and birth affected you. If you do find any stretch marks, rose hip oil is good to help get rid of them.
The linea negra will disappear… an dit sounds like your dark belly button is just a continuance of the linea negra… so that should go back to normal too!
As far as the rest of your body goes… it’s only been a few weeks really. It usually takes most women a MINIMUM of 3 months to get "back to normal" … so give yourself some time. I will say that "normal" however may not exsist. You’ve had a baby, your body HAS changed… but that doesn’t mean that you’ll stay just like your 7 week post pardom self forever. Get back into shape by doing exercises to help things along faster. During pregnancy you didn’t exercise the stomache muscles very much, so they’re going to be a bit weak for a while… your belly skin was stretched out and got bigger to accomidate that baby in there! So… exercise, keep eating healthy, do some toning, and give yourself some time! Things will get back to a state close to normal soon!
Don’t stress! The linea negra disapears and the belly button goes back to normal. You sound like you have a great figure and nothing a little exercise can’t fix when you feel up to it. Give yourself a break girl… its hasn’t even been 2 months yet. Also, I’m guessing if you did not get any stretch marks that you have good elastic skin that will bounce back.. but you have to give it time!
My dear, you sound as if you also have a little post pardom depression which does often happen with new mothers..that could be why your feeling so emotional. Dont worry yourself tho, your emotions will get back in line soon. As far as dark marks on your body, they will fade also, it may take a bit but they will fade…God bless you and your new baby and please take care of yourself and child and I wish you all the best.. And please dont try to lose more weight, any new mother of the age of 25 and back into a size 8 has done wonderful!! And I dont think ANY girl should be TOO thin, you sound just right , there is such a thing as too thin. Best of luck and good days!!
The dark marks fade. And since you said you have no stretch marks, your skin will begin to settle back the way it was before… The darkness does fade, thank goodness!
I felt the same way when I had my daughter, as well.