C-section - Palmdale,CA

After a c-section your belly will always feel kinda weird. Numb like. I still get weird sharp pains from time to time. After 6 weeks you should start feeling a lot better and your doctor should ok you to do everything if your 6 week checkup goes good. As for belly color, that could take months. Mine never changed too much, just a little line, but it took a long time to go away. I shaved soon after birth, just was very careful. Pain killers make you constipated, BAD, so if your still taking those, you might want to stop if you can. I did weight watchers twice to lose all my baby weight. They have a program for breastfeeding Mamas. Be careful taking anything while your breastfeeding. I would always ask your doc first. Anways, good luck and Congrats!

I had three C-sections and the 2nd and 3rd I bounced back very quickly. At the 6 week mark it felt like I never had one...No matter how much dieting and exercise your belly will never be the same because your muscles have been cut. I hope to some day get a tummy tuck. Keep up with the fiber. Your body will adjust back to routine in that department soon. If not speak to your OB about the constipation. I hear ya. Congrats on your 3rd. What a blessing.

It took 8 weeks before the Dr. released me to work out - which is normal for a c-section. It is still normal to feel sensations - and to hurt sometimes. I think I felt better after about 3 to 4 weeks (completely). If you are breastfeeding it's best NOT to use any supplements because the baby will take any anything that you are eating. I think that breastfeeding is the BEST Diet. And as far as working out - taking your baby for walks helps. For constipation my Dr. had me using a stool softner and Phillips Milk of Magnesium until I was back to normal. I don't think that the bikini cut should affect when you shave.

I had a cesarean almost 6 years ago and I still cannot feel from just under the belly button down to the incision. I still feel extreme sharp pain when I have to have a bowel movement but cannot go 'right away'. I still get migraines from the spinal and epidural received during labor. I never was able to do any core exercises without causing more pain than it was worth.

Once the skin is COMPLETELY healed over, no longer peeling or scabbing and you no longer have any soreness at the incision site - then you can shave again.

Fruits, veggies, oatmeal, chicken, organic milk and yogurts, whole grains and lots of water will not only help your constipation, but also your milk supply and aid in loosing weight the healthy way - slowly!

I would not plan to diet while breast feeding. You will probably lose a lot of weight just breastfeeding (I lost 40 lbs over the course of about 6-7 months... and that was me eating my pre-pregancy diet plus about 800 calories... I was below my pre-pregnancy weight by almost 20 lbs when my daughter weaned at 1 year). You'll need the fat to produce milk. Don't worry about dieting (just eat healthy and get some exercise... but with 3 little ones it shouldn't be a problem)... you have enough to worry about.
As for constipation... did you try prunes? They are a little gross but they do work!

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I got the bikini cut, and just shaved around the steri-strips (mine is about 3in above the hairline).

The incision still feels weird, with occasional soreness, and I my DD is 9mos old.

I started working out full-on at 3 weeks pp. Boot camps, kickboxing, step aerobics, etc...(I never stopped during pregnancy, so I just continued what I'd been doing). My muscles were not cut during the surgery - they were only separated. So I didn't need to worry about that healing.

Good luck!

I hurt when getting out of bed for a few weeks...I think that is normal. I started working out at 6 weeks when I got the OK from the doc but before that I took regular walks. Once I started working out, I did everything -- running, aerobics, weight lifitng, etc. Can't comment on the shaving re: bikini cut but it was a WHILE until I went to have a bikini wax because of the incision. You can do weightwatchers while pregnant -- they calculate nursing into the points system so you get extra points for it so your milk supply doesn't dip. I would not take any supplements while nursing. Try natural fiber - Like All Bran cereal, whole grain breads, and fruits that have a known laxative effect like prunes or grapes or pears. Fiber drinks never worked for me -- just made me gassy. Try real foods!

I had my 1st c-section over a year ago and I still have some areas right around the scar that almost feel numb. Not all of the nerves will heal. I BF and lost almost all the weight I had put on during pregnancy very quickly! Jsut be sure to drink LOTS of water. I also would take walks with my baby. Before you do anything consult you OBGYN! Doing anything too strenuous could put you back in the hospital. Personally, I would pass on the herbal suppliments or anything like that. I was so restricted on any medications while BFing, so i would imagine that they would not be good for the baby. I experienced almost everything you described and it will all take a little time. During a c-section all your insides are moved around and it takes your body time to recover. Be good to yourself and take it easy. My OBGYN told me 8 weeks and I did feel pretty much back to normal. Your body will never be the same, like "Lucky" stated. But you will be able to get back in shape, just take this time now to let your body heal, you went through major surgery remember, and bond with you new little one. Sometimes fruit binds me up, so maybe try eating more with fiber? Hope this helps!