Pre-pregnant body

sloturtle

As some of you may know I am 39 and this is my 3rd pregnancy. I was 28 when I was pregnant with DS-2. I only gained 25 lbs and got back to my pre-pregnancy weight (and then some) a couple months after DS was born. Being 11 yrs older and being in better shape before becoming pregnant (so far only gaining 5 lbs), I am wondering how difficult it will be to get back to my pre-pregnancy body.

I don't think will will take too long but I have to remember I'm not 20 anymore. I would just like to know from moms that had a child already at 35+, how long did it take you to get back to your pre-pregnancy body or did it just not happen?  

mamajess68

It absolutely happens!  and it takes work, which you are already used to - sometimes it takes a little longer, but never give up.  I had my first at 29, 2nd at 32, 3rd at 40 and will deliver this one at 45.  I am in BETTER shape than I was 15 years ago.  Your body can be a little slower to bounce back, especially after c-sections, but do not fear!  3-6 months and you should be back!

sloturtle

Thank You!! I do have it in my mind it may take a little longer. You have even given me hope for losing the weight if DH and I decide on another baby in a couple of years.

Thank You 

mrsjami

Breast feeding helps! I had DS at 34 and did nothing to lose the wt. breast feeding and stress of a new mom got me below my pre peg wt. I think in 2 to 3 months. I gained 29lbs.

Southerndancinmama

I have had both my girls after 35. I'm happy to report that I'm back in prepregnancy clothes with a six month old baby two took a little longer and a strict diet for about a month. Now I'm pregnant with my third, so hopefully I'll not have any more trouble than second time around ;

sloturtle

I heard breastfeeding helps lose the weight. I tried breastfeeding with my first and it didn't work out, I felt terrible. I didn't even try with second, my boobs were just too painful. Nobody could get within a 5 mile radius of them. I plan on giving breast feeding a try again this time. DH is very supportive and he wants to help as much as he can to help breastfeeding be a success this time around.

With your replies, I have an idea how long it could take. So now I won't be discouraged if it doesn't happen in a couple months.

Thank You for your replies  

amandaleigh1

I only gained about 25 pounds. I was back to normal weight and possibly skinnier than before within weeks that was my body's reaction to the stress of having a newborn. I was thin to begin with, so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it.

I also tried to breast feed, but it didn't happen. I still dropped weight very quickly.

elizabethnseanny

Good luck with breastfeeding this time! 

sloturtle

elizabethnseanny:

Good luck with breastfeeding this time! 

Thank You! We have high hopes. Since it has been awhile we plan on attending a breastfeeding class at the hospital where the baby will be born. 

technigirl

I had DD when I was 36, and it only took me a few weeks to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and shape.  And since I had had a c-section, I wasn't allowed to exercise for 6 weeks after.  The key for me, I think, was that I exercised throughout my pregnancy, including the entire 3rd trimester (I had been exercising before I got pregnant as well).  I didn't gain any permanent weight - basically once I lost all the excess fluid, my shape reappeared as did my normal weight.  If one does not exercise during the pregnancy, and instead starts afterward, I think it could take longer. 

I also did breastfeed for the first 2 months, but only part time.  Breastfeeding just did not go well for us.  Maybe that and the stress involved with it helped some too.

numinous

Great question, I was afraid to ask! I feel better reading these!! When everyone says prepregnancy body does that mean you can wear your bikinis again? Also, will my breasts really look like socks or whatever it is that people joke about? Also, maybe this is a tmi question, but my friend complained of being "stretched out down there" does that always happen too? Will kegels help? I'm 37 and pregnant w my first

technigirl

numinous:

Great question, I was afraid to ask! I feel better reading these!! When everyone says prepregnancy body does that mean you can wear your bikinis again? Also, will my breasts really look like socks or whatever it is that people joke about? Also, maybe this is a tmi question, but my friend complained of being "stretched out down there" does that always happen too? Will kegels help? I'm 37 and pregnant w my first

You will definitely be able to wear bikinis again, although I hate to say it but your body will never be quite the same.  I think I still looked good after baby, but my abs were never quite as hard as they once were, no matter how hard I worked on them.  But I still felt comfortable in a bathing suit.  And the boobs...oh boy.  It can be different for everyone but yeah, your boobs will most likely never be the same.  I, like many women I know, shrank an entire cup size after I stopped nursing DD.  And I was only a B cup!  So now I'm an A.  Had to buy all new bras.  And we're not talking a perky A cup...oh no.  A sad, saggy A cup is what I have now LOL.  But you know what?  It's OK.   Consider it part of your battle scars for going through pregnancy, birth, and nursing.  Some women I know did not have this happen until they had 2 babies, but most said it happened with the first.  And remember:  Victoria's Secret is your friend!  

As to being stretched out "down there", it's harder for me to comment on that since my daughter only made it halfway out before I had to have an emergency c section.  So maybe I didn't get the full effect of the stretching, but I didn't really notice a huge difference with DTD.  I did notice that my annual exam was easier, which was a definite plus! 

jb2rn

lurking..

I was 35 when my son was born. I was average weight pre-pregnancy, but not in awesome shape. I gained 32 lbs and didn't exercise while pregnant, other than walking, because of bleeding that I had off and on most of my pregnancy.

I breastfed him, and still am. The weight came off slow, but it was all gone by about 7 months. I ate what I wanted (although I eat pretty healthy, but I ate plenty of calories) and didn't really exercise because my son is only now starting to STTN , so I just didn't have the energy.

I am posting this to say yes, it totally can be done. If you are able to exercise during pregnancy and after, you will be much better off.

And I don't think my breasts look any different than before I was pregnant. I haven't weaned yet, but my nipples don't look different to me.

best of luck! I have plenty of 35 and older mom friends, and they all look pretty good.

ocho2002

I had my first at 36 and I was back to myself in about 4 months. When I returned to work at 6 weeks, I was back in all of my work clothes. I gained 45 pounds but lost 30 of it within 2 weeks so I'm guessing most of it was baby and fluid.

RedDDD

wow!  good for the rest of you guys....I feel like a POS now.  My son was 9months when I got pregnant again and I still was not back in my pre-baby clothes.  I was only 5 lbs away from pre-baby weight but my body definately was different.  I found it very difficult to fit in exercise with a baby and a full time job.  You just have to make time for it.....I had just started on a pretty good routine when I found out I was pregnant and then the fatigue hit.  Im still trying my best but its the biggest challenge of my life and I was a fit gal before.  Even as I type this Im thinking about going back to our office "pumping" room to take a nap ....I can barely stay awake at my desk! 

MT-Head

I'll join you on the POS bench.  I am a stress eater, and gained about 60 lbs with my first pregnancy, and started that one 12 lbs higher than I did this one.  It took me a looooooooooooooong time to lose that weight.  Probably about 9 or 10 months.  And even though I tried, breastfeeding just didn't work out for me at all - baby wouldn't latch and actually screamed bloody murder any time my nipple came within a half a foot of his face.

With this one, I have gained only about 30 - 35 lbs, so I'll have less to lose, but I know it will be harder to get in the exercise I'll need to get back in shape.  I'll just be happy to not be quite so huge from jump.