Recovery After C Section

Updated on August 11, 2011
H.V. asks from Glendora, CA
12 answers

i delivered my twins via c section 7 weeks ago at 38 weeks. they were over 6 pounds each and i quickly lost 30 of the 40 pounds i gained without trying. so, here's the question. has anyone else had their stomach feel bouncy, for lack of a better description? i delivered my son vaginally and just had flabby belly but with the girls it feels bouncy and i look about 5 months pregnant. i'm assuming it's because my abs are still distended from carrying the girls and then the c section was just an added bonus but my self-esteem will improve if i know that i'm not alone as i still wear my pregnancy clothes just to accommodate my belly. :)

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So What Happened?

I saw my ob today and she said that my abdominal wall is stretched as wide as 3 fingers and gave me some exercises to do. She said that sit ups will only make it worse. Thanks everyone for your comments. I feel better knowing that I'm not alone.

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J.D.

answers from Phoenix on

Congratulations. I have only had c sections, but I think bouncy is a good description for me after my C sections. It didn't get just flabby until about 6 months later for me. That's also when I stopped having a hard scar there- it softened up a little to just be a visual scar. Interesting thing is, every once in awhile I still have a little pain if I pull it the wrong way and my C section was 15 months ago. Good luck with everything.

2 moms found this helpful

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E.P.

answers from New York on

My daughter was born in 1999. I had a c-section. I'll let you know when I fit back into my regular clothes and my stomach doesn't seem bouncy. Should happen any day now. Congratulations & enjoy your new blessings!

7 moms found this helpful
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T.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had to have a c-section with my son from which I really suffered. I was in amazing shape before (a dancer) and looked pregnant for a while also. After 3 months I went back to Yoga, at 5 months I looked good, at 7 months like I had never been pregnant before. Just give yourself time and don´t do too much too early. You will be back to normal soon.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Like you I had a vaginal birth the first time and a c-section the second (singletons).

I totally felt the way you did about my belly after the second, and blamed the c-section. I just felt like it was all puffy and loose in there, like they didn't stretch it tight when they sewed it up, ugh. It bothered me for over a year. It still bothers me a year and half later, t hough it is better now. I tend to think it was the effect of a c-section. Then again, maybe our tummies just have a harder time going back to normal with each additional pregnancy pop-out? Not to mention I spend much less time working out with two kids in the house than I was able to with only one. So who knows.

I know what you mean though, I felt like my stomach was totally different after the c-section and was really bothered by it. Don't remember having any issues like that with the first, vaginal birth. Having a c-section just felt so unnatural to me, that probably adds to my blame.

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S.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi H....I also hada c-section and had the very same issue for about three months! You r not alone. I used undies that helped to hold my tummy in and in no time i began to notice a change. I wud advise u not to worry! Just focus on those precious babies and ur pooch will go away before u know it!

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J.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

Its probably because you had twins, not because of c-section.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

YES.
Feels bouncy after.
The body is adjusting.
Even water retention.

I had c-sections with both my kids.

Do you have "Diastasis?" This is when, the abdominal wall separates. Your OB/GYN should tell you this. It makes your belly, look as though you are still pregnant.
It is not something that goes away.

You only had your babies, 7 weeks ago.
That is not long.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.F.

answers from Las Vegas on

Hi, I had a C-Section, then a V-Bac, then I had twins via C-Section, so four total children. Had my twins at 38 weeks also, but only gained 20 lbs. with them. They were 5.6 and 6.6 lbs each. I really did not have the bouncy belly as you explain and was able to wear my regular clothes home from the hospital, fortunately!!! But totally understand your feeling of self-esteem and know you will feel better once your tummy feels tighter. I feel fortunate that I didn't have to deal with that, probably because I was lucky to not have gained so much with my pregnancies. But I feel for you and hope you can get your tummy "tightened" sooner than later...as others have said, it probably will come, mine did just right away, like it was a big piece of rubber band!

1 mom found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Kansas City on

been there!! i had twin boys 8 months ago and I had the bouncy belly. I also lost the weight just like that, but i think maybe it is just due to extra skin? My boys were 7lbs14oz and 6lbs12oz, so I def know the feeling!!! if you ever have any twin typed questions feel free to message me! I was the same, it will change!

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N.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

There are "postpartum" bands available at places like Babies R Us. I found it helpful after my c-section. It seemed to hold things in and in place, plus I felt it took some of the pressure away from the incision. Regardless of what you do, It does take a lot longer to recover from a c-section than a vaginal birth. Good luck with your babies!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

It's from the twins. :) Mine are 2.5 and I delivered at 38 weeks with them combining for 16 pounds (8lbs 7oz and 7lbs 13oz). My stomach was more than jiggly and bouncy. I just gave birth to a singleton six weeks ago, and even with her being 10 lbs 7 oz, my stomach is firmer right after giving birth than it was with the twins. Give it time and things will improve. However, don't kid yourself. They won't ever be normal again. My SIL told me to think of pressing my navel to my spine. That helped pull my abs in a bit and I looked better after about two weeks. Congrats on the twins!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from New Orleans on

I had 3,yes my belly is a little bouncing still. I wore pregnacy clothes for about a month after due to b/c they felt better around my stomach due to the c-section and was a little loose. And because my stomach and uterus took a few months to shrink back down. So its going to take a few weeks to months before your stomach and uterus shrinks down. I look kinda pregnant a few months later but I still have my nice flabby belly for having my 3 kids.lol.. But I love them,so I guess the things "we mothers" do for our kids. :) I wouldn't worry now about your belly,I think focus on your children is the most important thing right now.It takes time for our bodies to get back to normal especially after having a surgery(c-section) Your so lucky to be blessed with twins.I always wanted twins.lol. Good luck and take care!! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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