Trying to lose the belly after a C-Section

Hi everyone, well after 28 hours in labour with my now 9 month old son, I had to go for a c-section because I was only 4cm dialated. Now I am told that because they had to cut through my muscles in my stomach, its going to take me a fair while to tone my stomach up again. I am so desperate to lose the baby belly but I have tried so many things and nothing seems to work, any help or advice or am I really stuck with the baby belly for longer??

Tags: c-sections

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Permalink Reply by The Peveteaux-Goldmans on December 1, 2008 at 11:04am: Hi Aussiemum,

I don't know the physiology behind it, but you did have a major abdominal muscle sliced open, so that can't possibly heal as fast as if it were still intact. You also have to consider that while some women can bounce back quickly whether they have a c-section or not, others take longer. I've heard it can take as long as one to two years for your body to really go back to normal. Personally, my hips never did make it back to my pre-pregnancy size, and again, I'm not a doctor, but I've heard it's pretty common for your hip bones to spread and not totally go back where they were before.

I also don't have any super baby belly tips, except that it def. took me longer than nine months, and I also had a c-section.

If anyone has any tummy tips, please share!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by isimom on December 1, 2008 at 4:04pm: I was told to do 60 sit-ups a day by someone who didn't have a c-section (like you, i had an emergency c-section) but found that that was necessary anyway...
good luck!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by aussiemum21 on December 2, 2008 at 4:27am: hey thanks for the tips, it is just so frustrating looking in the mirror every day and seeing that I am not what I used to be. I know that I have a great joy out of it, but at the same time, I want to be back to the way I was and never seem to find the time to work on it! being a working mum and the fact that its summer over here, by the time it actually cools down enough to go for a walk with my son, hes in bed! should just keep up with the sit ups and see how I go then!!

Keep the advice going though!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anne on February 16, 2009 at 10:54am: I feel your pain. I had a planned CS on Dec. 5th. I've been told by other friends who've had C-sections that your belly never actually goes back to its pre-preg. shape. We'll always have that "shelf". That's also from a friend who works out and has joined (and done well on) Weight Watchers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by leo81 on January 6, 2009 at 7:42am: hey aussiemum,
im an aussie mum too.iv got the same problem except my daughters 2 and a half mths,i only had a 10hr labour and i was 5 cm dialated.iv got an ab king pro and am starting to use that so i'll let you know how i go with it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marisa on February 1, 2009 at 9:58am: I have the same problem....my little "flap" as I call it will not go away no matter how many freakin sit ups I do a day!! I am losing a little weight, but its the belly that is hard...I get so frustrated when I see myself in the mirror....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MamaJ on February 1, 2009 at 5:57pm: Hello,

I didn't have a c-section, but wanted to pass on a tip from my doctor. After I delivered, the doctored advised AGAINST doing situps for a few weeks. Evidently pregnancy separates two lower abdominal muscles that run below the belly button. If you strengthen them with situps before they "fuse" together again, they bulge out and create a paunch.
I'm always looking for excuses to avoid exercise, so I found that to be a very helpful bit of advice:); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Anne on February 16, 2009 at 10:55am: Oooh...good to know. Glad I haven't been doing too many situps. I've just been walking as much as possible and carrying around my 16-pound two-month-old.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by katie on March 18, 2009 at 7:55pm: I had a section nearly a yr ago now.. was in labour around 28 hours also. I only dialated 5cm, so i had a c secion, im in the same boat, find it impossible to lose weight! around my belly and love handles. i have no adapted a new fiet! google fat burning foods.. eat plenty of them and frink water also crunches and lower back stretches help u tone up, best of luck x; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amanda Crites on March 25, 2009 at 7:34pm: Hi both of my kids are csections my first was not planned but my second was. With my first child i never really lost the belly or much of the weight i was a size 7/8. well during my second pregnancy i was home with my oldest alone(hubby over seas) and i didnt gain much weight and i stayed active. After i had Kayleigh As soon as i was allowed i went to the ymca 5 days a week and mon, wed,fri weight trained and cardio for and hour and a half and tues and thur.pilatis for an hour then cardio for 30 min and i am now down for a size three. my belly is not completely flat but it has gotten better pilaties is the best for your abs. its focus is your cor which is from your knees up and under your chest.Also doing sit ups alone will not help except the top part of your abs you have to add legs to your sit up to work on the lower. Also a very healthy diet of no sweets only from fruits; ▶ Reply to This