How Long for Uterus to Shrink?

Oh honey it's going to take longer than that.
I can't remember for my first (vaginal birth), but after the second, a C-section, it seemed to take forever. My baby is now 9 months and I feel like my tummy is pretty much back to normal (I just need to start working out again to really get it back to bathing suit condition, ha!)

I resented my c-section for many months because I felt it made my stomach extra bubbly feeling and things were all jumbled up and just not 'tight' in there. Ugh. I didn't remember having that feeling the first time, so it may be second pregnancy effect. But I blame the c-section.

Ah yes...all the stories about celebrities who have had their babies and bounced back to normal within minutes of giving birth have given the rest of the 'average population' the wrong idea of what to expect. Sure, if we had night nurses, nannies, chefs, house staff, and personal trainers we too would have our pre-baby body back pronto...but we don't (bummer!).

Keep in mind that it took 9 months to create the baby so it should ideally take some time for your body to recover. It's healthy and normal. You may be able to see some visible changes between the 6-12 week mark depending on your unique situation. Be sure to pay attention to your nutrition and you may also wish to incorporate kegels and other TVA (transverse abdominal) exercises to start tightening your 'corset' (midsection).

I could be wrong, but I don't think your uterus is exactly the same size again. You are probably still a little swollen and carrying extra water, fat, and stretched out skin and body parts. If you are nursing, your uterus will shrink much faster. I think 4-6 weeks is normal just because that is the time it can take for the bleeding to stop. Try to be patient with your body and rest up. I considered 6 weeks my "start up" point after both my kids for worrying about my weight, fitness, etc. It took a bit longer for my stomach to look flat again and even so it has a pooch to it from having kids. :)

I had an 11lb baby too, 6 months ago and not by c-section either. My uterus still looks like it is there. The top part of my abdomen is round and if you push on it it feels hollow inside and pops right back up. The bottom part of my stomach is excess skin and fat that hangs. I did not breastfeed so I'm sure that's a part of the delay but I do notice that it seems to get a little smaller after each menstrual cycle. Congrats mama!

It takes some time... but have you tried a belly wrap? It seemed to help tuck things back in for me.

When I went to the doctor (baby was 4 weeks- born by c-section) the doctor said my uterus was great! He could hardly feel it at all.

That being said.....This is our 3rd child. He is now 3 months old and I STILL look a couple months pregnant. With the other 2, my baby belly was almost non-existent but I've heard it gets harder and harder to get back to your old body with each pregnancy. I have gained 40# with all 3 pregnancies. I STILL have 20 more to lose with this one! I nursed all my babies and lost the weight without trying with the other two. I may have to start "trying" something to do it this time!

Remember it took you nine months to get your body to where it is now. :)

Your uterus will shrink back very quickly. It's probably back by now, in fact.
It's your muscles that are stretched out. And that will take time.

With both of my kids (the second being a C), my "shape" was back to normal...and kept improving...by around the 10 week mark. And I'm a fitness junkie, so I worked out througout my pregnancy, and started back (even with the C) at 1 week pp with abs and cardio. That moves things along faster.

Your tummy will go down weekly. Firming it up will be up to you.
And depending on how your section was done, it may take longer (if the muscle was cut, rather than separated). It's very hard, but have patience. It took you 9 months to get that "big" and it will take a few months to go back to normal.
If it's your first child, it'll be a little faster.

I would say at least 6 weeks. I always have people ask me when Im due for the first 2 months post baby. :( Get a belly band that sucks you in, it helps it shrink.

It takes a while. But be careful if your tummy goes down and them seems bigger later. My c-section got infected and the tummy area swelled with the infection. Other signs are fever, pain, redness and even more fatigue (even beyond the new mommy exhaustion).

Well, I was only 100lbs when I got prego and only gained 20lbs, but after 2 weeks I still looked about 3-4 months prego. I breastfed and that made a difference. After about a month or (maybe 2) my tummy was down, but still flabby. With my first child I had to do 50 crunches a day for a few months to get my tummy back to what it was before.

I had a c-section with my twins and combined they weighed about 11 lbs. Two weeks is still very soon so give it a couple more weeks. I think for me 4-6 wks later I almost didn't have a stomach. I also wore a belly wrap to help shrink down that area so that might help you. I think everyone's different but I'm pretty sure 6 wks is about how long it takes to get back to normal size.

It takes longer than that.
And if you have "diastasis".... (which I have had since my 1st pregnancy)... then your 'tummy' will pretty much look pregnant.... no matter what.
Both my babies... were big, over 8 pounds each.

Ask your OB/GYN... about how long it takes. Each woman is different.

It takes 6 weeks for your uterus to return to normal. What you are probably seeing is the extra skin that developed around your mid section due to the size of your baby. In due time, your body will return.

I think they say it generally takes six weeks for your uterus to shrink back...for the rest of your body, that depends on exercise, how you eat and the genetics you were born with! It's good times!

Good luck!
-M