Alright, I just saw a lady at work who had a baby a few months ago. She appears to be slim now but has a big belly that looks like she's pregnant again. I didn't want to ask her, of course, but a VI co-worker told me that she doesn't think the employee is pregnant again. She thinks the employee has what we call in the VI a "spoiled belly." I've heard of this term before, and I've seen it before, but never so big. My co-worker thinks it comes from a woman having babies back-to-back and not giving her body time to heal.



Does anyone know if this is true or what really causes this and what a woman can do to get back her regular belly? Does breastfeeding help? Does exercise help? Is surgery the only option? Also, how much time should you let your body heal between pregnancies?

I dont have any kids but I heard that breastfeeding works...Correct me sistas if Im wrong...lol!

You are correct on the breastfeeding...however keep in mind that if you deliver via C-section it is very difficult to lose that pouch quickly whether breastfeeding is involved or not.

MsSTBMrs wrote:

You are correct on the breastfeeding...however keep in mind that if you deliver via C-section it is very difficult to lose that pouch quickly whether breastfeeding is involved or not.

That is very true about c-sections, I had 2-2 years apart and I still have a pouch, although I have not work on getting rid of it constantly, it is harder to get rid of. I breastfed both children and it helped a little bit but not like I wished. Lol. Wearing a very tight girdle from the day of leaving the hospital until (meaning 24-7, except in the shower) is also recommended but very uncomfortable. Exercising regularly asap is the best. C-section healing, doesn't allow to get started right away which also makes it more difficult to lose that belly.

But some women just have that snap back effect no matter how they delivered, they get me sick. Lol...no offense to any of the sistahs here.

I think it may have to do with how toned your tummy was before and during the pregnancy. I am working out and doing crunches. I think it is just luck also because I have seen so very small women have their tummies stretched completely out of shape and not return to normal after.

michelerdh2005 wrote:

I think it may have to do with how toned your tummy was before and during the pregnancy. I am working out and doing crunches. I think it is just luck also because I have seen so very small women have their tummies stretched completely out of shape and not return to normal after.

You hit it on the head. It depends on your belly's situation entering that pregnancy...And unfortuntely, it depends on your genes and your metabolism. Of course breastfeeding helps, and the longer you breastfeed the longer you reap the benefits of breastfeeding. But you still need to eat healthy while breastfeeding and eating enough extra calories (300 calories extra...about the calorie content of a light breakfast or grilled cheese sandwich and OJ-so not much).....



This is something I counsel on daily! Of course, you need to give yourself time initially to "heal" before you get back to exercising. Then when you do, start slow. Giving birth, vaginally or c-section is exahusting! Then its the sleepless nights, acclimation, etc. But you have to put yourself up there with the baby. Most moms in my office are in worst shape health-wise than the baby, and I think thats not good. Yes baby is important, but if you get ill, you will have to let someone else take over until you get better.



Now as far as stair-step babies(moms pregnant within 6 weeks to a 16 months after giving birth). Its hard on the mom. We say space babies at least 2 years so your body can get back to where it was nutrient-wise before you got pregnant-and that takes about 16-20 months....Surgery is an option, but a last resort. And it needs to be after some weight has been lost and an exercise regimen is in place to strengthen any muscle tone that had been lost in that area.



But yes, genes play a big role, but we are not subject to them.

michelerdh2005 wrote:

I think it may have to do with how toned your tummy was before and during the pregnancy. I am working out and doing crunches. I think it is just luck also because I have seen so very small women have their tummies stretched completely out of shape and not return to normal after.

I think your tummy condition pre-birth is a factor. I had twins 7 years ago via c-section and when I went back for my 6 week check-up I had a completely flat stomach. Before I got pregnant I had a flat stomach as well so my body just kinda went back into place. I also breastfed so this helped alot too. Literally while breastfeeding/pumping I could feel my stomach contracting. Everyone who sees me cannot believe that I have 7 year old twins. I have no stretch marks and still wear a bikini 7 years later. I have heard about developing the pouch after c-section but I didn't get one. Now...when I have another child this may be a different story...lol....

Thank you ladies. I knew you all would have some good information...even more reason to do those crunches and hope for the best.

VIPrincessBride wrote:

Thank you ladies. I knew you all would have some good information...even more reason to do those crunches and hope for the best.

Hey this is the mistake that people make. If you have extra belly cushion the best way to lose it would be cardio, not crunches. You have to actually loose some of the cushion before you try to build it into muscle. There have been some cases where you can build the muscles under the fat and it's EXTRA hard to loose. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing at all wrong with doing crunches ALONG with a very good cardio routine, but some people don't do hardly any cardio but expect to loose those extra inches around the waist by doing crunches alone. When I start off with clients that express a concern about belly fat, I start them off with several intense cardio sessions. I don't introduce any type of crunch until further down the line when they've lost some inches in the waist area. You can also work on your waist throughout the day by slightly holding in your stomach as you sit at work, drive, exercise etc.

soontobebride wrote:

Thank you ladies. I knew you all would have some good information...even more reason to do those crunches and hope for the best.





Hey this is the mistake that people make. If you have extra belly cushion the best way to lose it would be cardio, not crunches. You have to actually loose some of the cushion before you try to build it into muscle. There have been some cases where you can build the muscles under the fat and it's EXTRA hard to loose. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing at all wrong with doing crunches ALONG with a very good cardio routine, but some people don't do hardly any cardio but expect to loose those extra inches around the waist by doing crunches alone. When I start off with clients that express a concern about belly fat, I start them off with several intense cardio sessions. I don't introduce any type of crunch until further down the line when they've lost some inches in the waist area. You can also work on your waist throughout the day by slightly holding in your stomach as you sit at work, drive, exercise etc.

Great advice! Gotta shed some of the fat around the belly area then work on toning! I do different types of abdominal exercises anyways to help my posture and strengthen those muscles. I haven't done crunches in a while. I think the different abdominal exercises that isolate the different muscle groups in that area is just more comfortable for me! Especially lower abdominal exercises. I love to mix it up!

Hey this is the mistake that people make. If you have extra belly cushion the best way to lose it would be cardio, not crunches. You have to actually loose some of the cushion before you try to build it into muscle. There have been some cases where you can build the muscles under the fat and it's EXTRA hard to loose. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing at all wrong with doing crunches ALONG with a very good cardio routine, but some people don't do hardly any cardio but expect to loose those extra inches around the waist by doing crunches alone. When I start off with clients that express a concern about belly fat, I start them off with several intense cardio sessions. I don't introduce any type of crunch until further down the line when they've lost some inches in the waist area. You can also work on your waist throughout the day by slightly holding in your stomach as you sit at work, drive, exercise etc.

Thanks for the tips, Soon! We have a wealth of information here. I'm all for the cardio and actually prefer it to the weight training. I have so many FIRM tapes and DVDs, Taebo, etc. I just need to motivate myself to do them. So, I'll follow your advice and do my abs tapes after I've lost some inches doing the cardio and strength training tapes. I know it's cliche, but I think that will be part of my goals for 2009 for overall health, weight loss, and strength. I loss 10 pounds of Christmas weight last year (and inches according to the bridal salon) just running around planning the wedding. I didn't have time for myself to work-out. This year, I just need to set my mind to it. I'll see if I can get hubby to join me. These are good tips for him as well.

Oddly at 11 weeks I have a bump already. It sucks because I am not telling my boss for several more months. LOL

I am doing cardio and crunches. I do have some stretch marks from puberty but I am hoping that they do not get worse. I would have to opt for surgery but I want two daughters so I will have to wait until I am done having babies.

I have to workout to keep my weight down as soon as I stop the pounds pack on.

michelerdh2005 wrote:

Oddly at 11 weeks I have a bump already. It sucks because I am not telling my boss for several more months. LOL

I am doing cardio and crunches. I do have some stretch marks from puberty but I am hoping that they do not get worse. I would have to opt for surgery but I want two daughters so I will have to wait until I am done having babies.

I have to workout to keep my weight down as soon as I stop the pounds pack on.

Michele, did you check with your doctor regarding the kinds of excercise you can do do?

I did. LOL. I asked at the first visit. She said the gym is great. Jogging, walking, cardio machines are all great for me and that I can do crunches until 18 weeks when they may become uncomfortable.

She also recommended weight training. They are encouraging pregnant women to be active to manage the weight gain and have beeter deliveries.

So I am trying to keep my weight down.

That is great for you Michele, that you get to exercise during...my doctor told me absolutely not during my second time around due to my 1st pregnancy being pre-term (delivered at the beginnings of my 3rd trimester). I was very active and energetic my first timearound, everyone told me to sit my butt down somewhere. lol

But now thanks to Soon's word of advice, I will be doing more cardio...I was one that always thought because i felt the burn from doing crunches that my stomach will flatten with or without cardio.

I was ten pounds overweight before I got pregnant so I am very worried about my weight although the doctor didnt seem to be. Working out is just great for me all over. It helps with my mood b/c I miss my mom and just stress in general so I just love it.

michelerdh2005 wrote:

I was ten pounds overweight before I got pregnant so I am very worried about my weight although the doctor didnt seem to be. Working out is just great for me all over. It helps with my mood b/c I miss my mom and just stress in general so I just love it.

I've known some pregnant women to work out up until the last days of their pregnancy, BUT and that's a BIG BUT you have to make sure you clear it with your physician first. Different women, different bodies, different circumstances so make sure you keep a very open line with your doctor so he can let you know what you should or should not be doing. There are many area's you can get certified in once get your personal training certification. I'm looking into to a cert. for training pregant women...you have to be careful....

Sorry I actually was not finished with my post....lol...doing 12 things at once. What I was saying is that nowadays I found there are ALOT of women that are pregnant that still want to work out. It's not like back in the earlier days when you got pregnant people told you you shouldn't do anything, pick up anything or exert anytime of enegry. Dr.'s now are telling women (again depending on your specifice situation) to work out, this can help you with the delivery AND also help you to lose the weight faster after the baby is born. There are alot of personal trainers that won't train pregnant women because of all the different things going on in your body...but I think I'm interested...we'll see...

My doctor told me to workout. I just do cardio and crunches etc. I believe a healthy fit mother delivers a healthy fit baby.

The shape you're in before you get pregnant does have an effect on how your body will be after pregnancy. When I had my son I had just finished a strength training course plus I had just graduated college where I was on the track team. When people came to see me in the hospital my tummy was already flat - no smaller - FLAT! Even during my c-section my doctor was trying to pull him out and said 'dang your stomach muscles are so tight!" Now when I got pregnant with my daughter I had a sit down job and all I did (and still do) is snack all day! Because of this I had a little belly fat, well actually I could've passed for 3 months! LOL! After i had her? Same 3 month belly and I'm still struggling to get rid of it without losing weight. So if you want to have a banging body after baby - start working on that before baby!



(Oh, I nursed them both and did the girdle thing after the girl.)

I am trying to I just dont want to get too big and stay that way. I want to be able to get into a nice dress.

Yeah, thats why I am trying to lose more weight. I have lost 10 pounds so far. I really want to lose at least 20 more. Its so very important to enter into each pregnancy as healthy as possible, and at a healthy or as close to a healthy weight as possible.
 
Once you realize you are pregnant, its important to eat enough to ensure you and the baby are nourished well, but stick to eating food from each food group daily, and drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding too much junk food. Staying full on high fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes prevents over-eating or choosing unhealthy quick snack foods. I always add this point because I have seen moms try not to gain weight, and end up delivering pre-maturely or go full term but the baby is underweight. So its a delicate balance

I have read that you only need to add 300 calories to your diet. I have to maintain my weight so that I am able to work and get around. I work in a small space so I am about staying trim!