C-sections, kegels, breastfeeding??

Question

i cant decide on whether or not to have a vaginal birth or not... if i had a c-section, i could care less about the scar, but if i had one would i be able to get my abs back after birth?? if i went through w/a vaginal birth i dont wanna be 'stretched out' and get stitched...if u do kegels ALOT before & after giving birth, will u get back to normal or anywhere close to normal pre-baby down there?? also, if u breast feed is it true that u get back to normal quicker than if u didnt breastfeed?

i have soooo many questions....i appreciate all or ur guys' help :)

Answer 1

Csections are no fun. I've had one,and it's no picnic in the park. I'm hoping for a vbac with my next baby. It can be harder to get your abs back after a csection. Lots of women end up needing tummy tucks to get them back into shape, and even then it's never completely the same.

With a vaginal birth, in most cases (not all, I know) it is easier to get back into shape, especially if you were in good shape before, which it sounds like you are. Some women who are in good shape before, and keep with their exercise and watch what they eat can go back home in their prepregnancy clothes.

Most women get back to normal, or at least very close to normal after a vaginal birth. The v****a is a magical thing, lol. It can stretch from the size of a quarter, to the size of a softball or bigger and then back down to a quarter or at least close.

Breastfeeding is good to help you get back to feeling normal and to help slow the bleeding down. It also helps keep your period away longer, and I know we all love that.

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

If you are healthy and do not "need" to have a c-section, then you should totally go for a vaginal birth. I had a c-section due to toxemia and they kind of just pull the baby out, which if you think about it rips your abdominal wall not allowing the muscles to contract back properly. i breast fed which does help contracting your uterus back into place but not your abs. If you do go vaginal with this birth, your abs will thank you later. As far a doing the whole "getting stretched out" if you do have a little tear they stitch you right back, I've been told most women don't even know my looking at it or having s*x that it was in that state while giving birth. It will be back to normal in no time.

:~) Good luck and congrats!

Any more questions feel free to ask away :~)

Answer 3

a c-section is a major abdominal surgery.  They cut through layers of muscle and tissue and there is a higher risk of death and infection to the mother due to blood loss with a c-section than with a vaginal birth. They can get the baby out in about 5 minutes with a c section but it takes them almost 40 minutes to sew everything back up.  It is harder to recover from a c section than a vaginal birth.  With a vaginal birth, you are not cutting through any major muscle areas, and most women are able to resume light activity within a few days.  Your v****a is a really elastic organ that was designed to stretch open to acomidate a baby.  It will return back to normal after the baby is born.  If you do end up needing stitches for a tear or an episiotomy repair, usually the Dr will make sure that you are stitched up to as close as before as possible.  Kegels will DEF. help you return to pre-baby down there.  Also about the breastfeeding thing.  Not only is it really good for the baby, but it helps your uterus shrink down to pre-baby a lot faster, and it can burn from 500-700 calories, JUST by breastfeeding.  You have a better chance of getting your body back with a vaginal birth and breastfeeding.  My aunt had a 6 pack 9 weeks after giving birth vaginally, and says she is the same down there (and that the s*x is way better than before) whereas my cousin had a c section, and she has a "mommy apron" because her muscles werent sewn back together properly. Good luck with everything!  

Answer 4

Yes, you do get back your vaginal tone even after giving birth, if you do your kegels.  Do them before birth, and it will help you push the baby out more effectively.  You can even get tighter then you were before, if you do your kegels.

Breastfeeding burns 500-900 calories a day, simply because you are making milk so it's pulling all that fat from your body to put into your baby to help the child grow properly.  However, you will have to eat fairly healthy, as you will tend to be hungry often and have cravings, just like during pregnancy, because your body is so busy growing that other person as well as caring for itself.  When I was breastfeeding I did pretty well with losing weight (down to pre-pregnancy in 2 weeks).  My cousin is breastfeeding, and simply cannot keep any weight on!

I don't know anything about c-sections except that when they are used in an emergency or for health reasons, they can save your life and the babies, but they suck to recover from.

Answer 5

Hello! Okay...lol, to answer all of your questions: If you had a c-section, you would most definitely be able to get your abs back...though it may take longer, because having a c-section is MAJOR surgery, thus you have to go through a period of recovery. (I had a c-section with my first child, and felt pretty normal after about 2 weeks...though there's no way I was completely healed.) Take things slowly, otherwise, you'll end up doing more harm, than good! Trust me, flat abs are not worth a ruptured incision any day!!

Second: If you do decide to have a natural/vaginal birth, you are definitely going to get "stretched out down there." This is a given! So be prepared. Things will definitely "tighten" back up down there...though sometimes, for most women, it's not a complete tightening up...in other words, you'll be close, but not where you used to be, pre-baby! (Nothing too dramatic, though, so don't fret) I am just totally being honest with you so you have no surprises...Kegels really do work, but you have to be consistant. Before, during and after pregnancy, for best results!

Last of all: I read somewhere, recently, that breastfeeding can burn up to 600 calories...Which is a workout in and of itself!! I have spoken to lots of women and have read various things from mommies. Some say that breastfeeding helped them dramatically with weight loss...while others, say it really didn't do much for them. So, it just goes to show ya that EVERY woman is different. I have found, though, for the most part, that most women do lose a significant amount of weight due to breastfeeding...besides, the whole weight loss thing, it's great for your baby!!

Hope I have helped some. Good luck and congrats!!!

Answer 6

yes, BFing burns those calories fast. I BF and ended up lighter than before i got pg. twice. So for me, best way to lose weight = get pg!! lol

seriously tho, I doubt caesar would have any effect on abs - the muscles fix themselves. I've had 2 and I can still do sit ups.

And scar isn't noticeable, it's tucked away. Had vag birth with my 1st, and recovered, better than before.

Answer 7

Well, not that weight or appearance should be your number one priority, but either way, c-section or vaginally, you can still possibly get your 'abs' back.

With a vaginal birth, you will be able to exercise faster after birth, as it is less time to recover.

Keegals however are a great idea, and should help 'tighten ' things up faster down there.

And yes, your body does burn more calories whilst breastfeeding, as opposed to bottle feeding.

Answer 8

Breast feeding helps you loose 1000 calories a day. And I was told by my doctor. But keep in mind you have to eat more to produce enough milk. You will only get stitched if the baby is so big that you tear. Your muscles will eventually go back to normal size down there. And while your having s*x after birth you can press your muscles as well so h**l feel a little tighter if that what ur worried about.

Answer 9

ok, I did kegels alot, and becuase of it, I didn't tear during delivery. And, my husband said afterwards I was not stretched out at all. keep in mind that you have to wait 6 weeks after birth to have s*x, one, to let your body heal and go back to normal, and two, so you dont get an infection or get pregnant right away again.

and I walked regulary so I didnt gain much weight, although I gave in to all my cravings. but drink a lot of water and do daily walks, and I used cocoa butter and oil and I dont have any strech marks on my stomach, but on my b*****s I do from breast feeding. I think breast feeding gives you a good head start on losing the weight, however, your b*****s will be even saggier, but thats to be expected as your body increases the milk storage.

I also only gave myself a week to relax after the birth and got right into an exercise routine. I found walking and pilates do the trick. and eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies, lean protien, and if you have to, maybe try the slimfast shake to get a jump start. I did that for like 2-3 weeks, like a shake for breakfast with a piece of fruit, a shake for lunch with half a turkey sandwhich, and a regular, healthy dinner. and drink lots of water. hope this helps. and after you quit breast feeding, dont feel bad if you need to take a diet pill for some energy. I found Twin Lab diet fuel worked for me for energy, just make sure you snack on fruits/vegs if your bloodsugar drops because of it. good luck.