C-section overhang

Does the c-section overhang ever go? 4 weeks postpartum and feeling down about my stomach ☹️ I’ve lost 2 stone since giving birth but I hate the way the c section scar makes my stomach hang over. Hoping I can resolve it when I’m able to exercise but I’ve seen some people say they couldn’t get their stomach back flat again after having a C-section.

I love that my body gave birth to my beautiful baby safely and that is all that matters but I wasn’t planning on having a C-section so didn’t mentally prepare myself for the change to my body.

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Following as I feel exactly the same

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I’ve had 2 c sections, my most recent one being 7 weeks ago and I feel exactly the same! But there’s some exercises that you can do to get rid of the ‘mum pooch’. But just take time to heal mama, im sure you look amazing 🩷

Following because I feel the same. I’ve had two and the last was 7 weeks ago. No where near being about to exercise yet as I still feel so tender (incision has healed well but feel sore inside still).

I feel the same I’m 6 weeks post 2nd C-section and I hate it and really want to get rid of it xx

Is there anyone in Bristol following this conversation that wants to ‘do something about it’ together?

I'm the exact same 5 weeks post, if anyone has any tips of recommendations please hit me xx

3 weeks post c section and feel the same here! Had vaginal with my first child so similarly wasn’t prepared for a c section and found the recovery to be so different x

I'm 6w post csec and my friend had csec 2yrs ago and says she still has it (but I wouldn't have known otherwise) but I've booked a postnatal physio appt and part of that will be advice on scar management and exercises so maybe have a Google of local area (I'm Derbyshire) and also lots of vids on insta and YouTube for reducing the overhang but I'm not convinced at this point!

Following as I’m exactly the same. 5 weeks pp and really hating my tummy at the moment! X

You are so early in your PP journey, cut yourself some slack! I’m 3 weeks PP from this baby and still have a bulge at the bottom of my belly. It doesn’t overhang but really sticks out. After my first baby, it took a couple of months before my body went back to my ‘normal’. Take the time to heal, you’ll get there! 😊

I'm the same had my second c section 11 weeks ago and I've lost 2 stone since giving birth and still have the over hang its getting better slowly but still there 😔

hey! I’m Derbyshire as well, who have you booked your appt with?

You mentioned it’s affecting your mental health. Is it worth exploring your relationship with how your body looks and your self worth? That might be where to focus on before potentially undergoing any major diet or fitness to address your concerns. Practicing gratitude for example might be helpful in the first instance.

Scar massage is meant to help but I think need to wait until 6 weeks

I know it won’t help how you’re feeling but I saw a post yesterday saying it’s scar tissue. You can do certain massage techniques to help break it down. This was my second c section & I still have it from my first but I haven’t personally tried any massage as mine was still numb & I didn’t like how it felt.

Thank you. I’m happy with my body and have no issues re self worth - I just don’t like the c-section scar and want to do all I can to improve it. I think exercising and massaging the area will be the answer!

Thanks all! I’m going to start doing some light exercises when I can and then also look into the massaging technique. Like I said, I’m thankful my body delivered my beautiful baby safely but still want to feel like me post partum :) happy mum happy baby! :)

@Callie I just had appt last night, embrace physio in duffield,and couple of nct pals have gone to moko in Mickleover, both specialise in pp recovery x

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Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.