What happens to your stomach after 2 or more babies??

**Heaven** · May 22nd, 2012, 01:37 PM

Getting a little worried about what my tummy will look like after I have another baby

After DD1 it mostly went back to normal. I didn't get any stretchmarks so my skin was the same. Took about a year for my stomach to get back to normal but it did.

With DD2 I didn't think I got any stretchmarks either but I could see after the birth that I did. I didn't get the red type stretchmarks that you can see, it's just that my skin now resembles crepe paper, lol. It looks normal standing up I think but if I lean over or sit it's all crinkly and my skin is just really thin! I'm ok with it, it's fine, just a bit weird looking. The skin on my boobs looks the same. I think it got seriously stretched with some crazy engorgement! I assume there's nothing I can do to fix the skin??

Anyway, I'm just worried about what will happen after more babies? I want 2 more. There just seemed to be a big change to my body with my second pregnancy, more than with my first. That's a bit scary. Will it get that much worse each time?? What damage will I do?? Or have I done all the damage already and it's already been stretched so it won't get much worse?? Please be the second one! lol.

And is there anything I can do now to prepare for the next pregnancy??

**Liz** · May 22nd, 2012, 01:55 PM

3rd baby gave me my apron :/ I was similar to you with 1 and 2 but 3.... Oh my :/ I'm only 3kg over my pre preg weight yet my belly just looks fat and saggy. I said to dh just the other day tht it was the price we paid for such beautiful children

**Sunny Love** · May 22nd, 2012, 01:58 PM

Im begnning to get a G-unt now, after baby number 2.
Its a good thing DP's gut gets bigger with each baby too

**Phteven** · May 22nd, 2012, 02:07 PM

Mine's pretty flat. There is some loose skin and I suspect that I'll always look pregnant after a large meal but it's nothing that I'm losing sleep over and nothing that some shaping underwear wouldn't sort out if I was fussed about it.

**Heaven** · May 22nd, 2012, 02:08 PM

You people are not giving me hope!

Except you onyx, you may stay.

**Nai** · May 22nd, 2012, 02:14 PM

Mine is still jiggly and flabby - but I'm old so it could be caused by that too

No apron or g-unt though, no stretch marks either

Everyone is different I guess.

**~clover~** · May 22nd, 2012, 02:16 PM

Um... mine is pretty much the same as it was pre pregnancy. I didn't get stretch marks or loose skin with any of my 4. I have a little podge after DD3, but its not really noticable & I've just noticed its starting to disappear.

I'm no help, but I don't think anyone can really tell you what will happen to your body IYKWIM? My mum is similar to me, so maybe ask your mum about her experience (although, it could be different for her too!) Stretch marks are genetic

**Jennifer13** · May 22nd, 2012, 06:18 PM

I'm wondering this too.

I look exactly the same as I did pre-DD1 (don't hate me

), so I think stretch marks aren't an issue for me, but more interested in how well the core muscles go.

I go to a postnatal exercise class that really works on those and it's definitely helpful.

**Heaven** · May 22nd, 2012, 07:40 PM

Oh very jealous Jen!

**HomeStyleMumma** · August 15th, 2012, 11:21 AM

Hmm interesting thread....

It is hard for me to answer as far as what difference between 2 & 3 because I didn't make it to 'stretchmark territory' with #2 & already had sime from #1 (plus the teenage hip ones!) so even tho I did get a few mire with #3 I think it wouldve happened with #2 if had been a normal gestation itms

as for what my tummy looks like I still get family/friends/STRANGERS telling I look so good for having 4 children!! Little do they know what myself & dh do about under my clothes lol but I think the skin that 'hangs' when bending over will tighten somewhat if I ever exercise enough to actually give it a work out in between pregnancies haha.

So I wouldn't worry to much ur bodyll do its thing and a couple more stretchmarks isn't enough incentive to not have the baby is like imo

**KimB** · August 28th, 2012, 10:29 AM

I have had 6 babies and with #3 he was a big 'un lol. I got more stretch marks with him but even now after 3 more they are still silver. I had a c/s for #5 so I have the apron (didn't have it before) and it still looks like I'm pregnant 16 months after having the last one. Mind you I don't exercise :blush: so it may improve but I'll always have a saggy belly unless I opt for surgery. Don't get me started on the boobs

**Jennifer13** · May 22nd, 2012, 07:43 PM

Heaven, I'm more impressed with how quickly my vagina got back into shape than my tummy.

But the day I could put on my pre-pg pants was a very happy one!

I curse the c/s scar, that's the mark I wish I didn't have.

**Phteven** · May 22nd, 2012, 08:05 PM

I curse the c/s scar, that's the mark I wish I didn't have.

Mine is nearly invisible (don't hate me

)

**Heaven** · May 22nd, 2012, 08:19 PM

My mum is similar to me, so maybe ask your mum about her experience (although, it could be different for her too!) Stretch marks are genetic

My mum didn't get stretch marks either, I think she did get the same as me though, just not the red ones. She had 4 classical c/s though and her tummy was horrible so she ended up getting a tummy tuck. So not sure what it would have been like!

**Shanti** · May 22nd, 2012, 08:37 PM

I agree! My vagina returned to normal faster than my tummy

**~Kim~** · May 22nd, 2012, 08:51 PM

My scar's nearly invisible too - and it's a freshie, but that's beside the point.

I got no stretchies with DD1 and back to normal after the baby weight came off. I only gained 8kg with her. Went straight back into my work pants and utility belt.
LOTS of stretchies with DS but he was a whole kilo heavier than the girls. Another 8kg. Again, same as above. Skin went straight back, just with extra patterns

No stretchies again with DD2, but I did gain more than 20kgs. This time it feels like it's taking longer, but there was far more (like 3x) weight to lose. I have a slight sag over my scar, but my core is strong, so I suspect the skin is having a rest lol

Actually maybe the scar is relevant. You can't see any of my stretchies from DS, I know they can't go away completely but they aren't visible and they were never red. So maybe it is how well your skin heals?