I had a caesar so I can only really offer input for Q1 (and even then not sure if post caesar belly is slightly different to post natural birth - apart from the obvious scar).....

1: Jelly Belly. I am still wearing lots of my maternity clothes. I'm usually a size 10 but atm I find size 12-14 fits me comfortably. My belly has gone down heaps and I really believe that it's mostly thanks to breastfeeding.