Couple of dumb questions about Pregnancy. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Magpie0001 · 04-11-2005, 04:44 PM

I dont really know where these questions should go. this seems like as good a place as any. Ive been wondering this for a while now:

Question the First: Just after giving birth is a womans stomach area, like, baggy? I mean is it like a deflated baloon or does it kind of stretch back into shape?

Question the second: When someone is having a baby on TV/movies why do they always ask for towels & boiled water?

Ta.

la petite moi · 04-11-2005, 04:55 PM

First question is something I'm just guessing about- it may leave stretchmarks, but it definitely stretches back. Otherwise, every woman who has had a child would have big baggy stomachs, and I'm sure you know that's definitely not the case.

jorgelito · 04-11-2005, 05:00 PM

The towels are to wipe sweat, other fluids etc, and something to wrap the baby in

The boiled water is to sanitize or disinfect.

Miss Ina · 04-11-2005, 05:43 PM

There is an element of flabby skin for some. Skin's natural elasticity makes it so that the skin isn't nearly as stretched as it was when pregnant, but it does stretch. Stretch marks are evidence of that as well.

I asked my mother the same thing once when I was about 14. She said that after women give birth, they usually go through a period where they bleed for a time. It's similar to menstruation, but the fluid is a bit different and varies depending on how you give birth. For a few weeks afterward there is often cramping as well. These things happen because the uterus is returning to its normal size (or close to it).

Of course the bleeding or discharge after birth and the effects of pregnancy on the skin depend entirely on each woman and each pregnancy and can vary hugely.

I found this forum which has a lot of answers to that question and similar ones: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/bbs/552678/. Watch out if you're easily grossed out, though, because they are talking about kind of "yucky" things. The same website also has a section of articles on the topic: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/postpartumhealth.

Now I've never been pregnant, so I'm certainly no expert. Are you actually pregnant or just inquisitive?

Seeker · 04-11-2005, 05:47 PM

Just on a short note for the first question, the skin kinda goes back into place, it doesn't hang or flop like excess baggage or some people that lose an incredible amount of weight

Magpie0001 · 04-11-2005, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Ina

Are you actually pregnant or just inquisitive?

No no, Im just curious. Its a good thing im not pregnant too, I think id find it kinda difficult to give birth, what with this cock in the way.
Thanks for your help Miss Ina.

ngdawg · 04-11-2005, 05:50 PM

Yes, deflated balloon would be a good description immediately after. Genetics will tell if it goes completely back to pre-birth appearance-some are fortunate enough, others, like me, are not-the muscles become disconnected and only a tummy tuck can fix that. Also, C-sections, the size of the baby and number of babies one carries all play a part in what will happen to your body.
I was once told, it takes 9 months for the stomach to get to looking like that, it's not going to take a day to get it back. (I'm still waiting 13 years later to get it back)

Miss Ina · 04-11-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magpie0001

I think id find it kinda difficult to give birth, what with this cock in the way.

It probably is a good thing, then. That could pose a serious threat to the baby.

spindles · 04-11-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magpie0001

I think id find it kinda difficult to give birth, what with this cock in the way.

[python]Where's the foetus gonna gestate? in a box?[/python]

Seeker · 04-13-2005, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngdawg

...the muscles become disconnected and only a tummy tuck can fix that.

Wow, is this due to a C-section or is it something that just happens?
(Imagine, 12 years later I'm still learning stuff!)

ShaniFaye · 04-13-2005, 02:53 AM

When I had my daughter my tummy was like mushy flab for about a week afterwards (I only gained 18 pounds with my pregnancy) and then it started to tighten up.

My sister had 3 kids via c section and yes, the muscles got disconnected and didnt go back and she had a tummy tuck to fix it.

Grasshopper Green · 04-13-2005, 05:25 PM

A lot of women still look pregnant after they give birth...I did. The uterus has to go back to its previous size, and this can cause women to have a bloated looking stomach after birth. Some women are blessed with no or very few stretch marks and will have their old bellies back....others, again like me, had a lot and nothing short of cosmetic surgery will make it flat again, because of the excess skin.

And, I don't know about the water and towels. No hot water was used in the birth of my son, and the only towel used was the one to wipe the sweat of my face

Seeker · 04-13-2005, 06:39 PM

I must have been so lucky... the nurses said that breast feeding also brings the uterus back to it's original size. Was this apparent for either of you? (ShaniFaye & Medusa99)

04-15-2005, 04:47 AM

I was lucky too , my stomach went back to normal pretty quickly and I never got any stretchmarks from either of my pregnancies. I didnt put a lot of weight on while pregnant , so that is probably why , that and I guess i have pretty elastic skin.

ShaniFaye · 04-15-2005, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

I must have been so lucky... the nurses said that breast feeding also brings the uterus back to it's original size. Was this apparent for either of you? (ShaniFaye & Medusa99)

I did not breast feed, so Im not sure about my uterus size lol I do know I was back into my pre preggie clothes within 2 weeks. I actually came home from the hospital weighing 3 pounds less than I did when I got preggie

Seeker · 04-15-2005, 07:40 AM

ShaniFaye: Hmmm, I breast fed and I was also back into my pre preggie clothes within 2 weeks, but because I was breast feeding I looked damn good! I lost 5kg and stayed at 47kg for five years (and lost my boobs sniff...) - I guess you can never tell

Grasshopper Green · 04-15-2005, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

I must have been so lucky... the nurses said that breast feeding also brings the uterus back to it's original size. Was this apparent for either of you? (ShaniFaye & Medusa99)

I don't think it really helped me at all...it took about as long to shrink as they said it would. Supposedly the breastfeeding helps you lose weight faster as well...three years later I'm still fighting my pregnancy weight *sigh*.

ngdawg · 04-15-2005, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

Wow, is this due to a C-section or is it something that just happens?
(Imagine, 12 years later I'm still learning stuff!)

It's a genetic in heritance-lucky me. The C-section made it worse since the doctor wasn't real adept, but it would have happened no matter what. My mom, me, and one of sisters-we all have messed up stomachs.

ngdawg · 04-15-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seeker

ShaniFaye: Hmmm, I breast fed and I was also back into my pre preggie clothes within 2 weeks, but because I was breast feeding I looked damn good! I lost 5kg and stayed at 47kg for five years (and lost my boobs sniff...) - I guess you can never tell

I breastfed twins...for 6 months.But I didn't lose the boobs!

04-11-2005, 04:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Magpie0001 Nobody Loves Me Location: Irish In Madrid	Couple of dumb questions about Pregnancy. I dont really know where these questions should go. this seems like as good a place as any. Ive been wondering this for a while now: Question the First: Just after giving birth is a womans stomach area, like, baggy? I mean is it like a deflated baloon or does it kind of stretch back into shape? Question the second: When someone is having a baby on TV/movies why do they always ask for towels & boiled water? Ta. __________________ Music is my first love & It will be my last.

04-11-2005, 04:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
la petite moi Filling the Void. Location: California	First question is something I'm just guessing about- it may leave stretchmarks, but it definitely stretches back. Otherwise, every woman who has had a child would have big baggy stomachs, and I'm sure you know that's definitely not the case. Last edited by la petite moi; 04-11-2005 at 05:08 PM..

04-11-2005, 05:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Miss Ina Tilted Location: Halifax	There is an element of flabby skin for some. Skin's natural elasticity makes it so that the skin isn't nearly as stretched as it was when pregnant, but it does stretch. Stretch marks are evidence of that as well. I asked my mother the same thing once when I was about 14. She said that after women give birth, they usually go through a period where they bleed for a time. It's similar to menstruation, but the fluid is a bit different and varies depending on how you give birth. For a few weeks afterward there is often cramping as well. These things happen because the uterus is returning to its normal size (or close to it). Of course the bleeding or discharge after birth and the effects of pregnancy on the skin depend entirely on each woman and each pregnancy and can vary hugely. I found this forum which has a lot of answers to that question and similar ones: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/bbs/552678/. Watch out if you're easily grossed out, though, because they are talking about kind of "yucky" things. The same website also has a section of articles on the topic: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/postpartumhealth. Now I've never been pregnant, so I'm certainly no expert. Are you actually pregnant or just inquisitive? __________________ The word "time" split its husk; poured its riches over him; and from his lips fell like shells, like shavings from a plane, without his making them, hard, white, imperishable words, and flew to attach themselves to their places in an ode to Time; an immortal ode to Time. —Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway Last edited by Miss Ina; 04-11-2005 at 05:46 PM..

04-11-2005, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Seeker Getting Clearer Location: with spirit	Just on a short note for the first question, the skin kinda goes back into place, it doesn't hang or flop like excess baggage or some people that lose an incredible amount of weight __________________ *To those who wander but who are not lost...* ~ Knowledge is not something you acquire, it is something you open yourself to.

04-13-2005, 02:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	When I had my daughter my tummy was like mushy flab for about a week afterwards (I only gained 18 pounds with my pregnancy) and then it started to tighten up. My sister had 3 kids via c section and yes, the muscles got disconnected and didnt go back and she had a tummy tuck to fix it. __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

04-11-2005, 05:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
jorgelito All important elusive independent swing voter... Location: People's Republic of KKKalifornia	The towels are to wipe sweat, other fluids etc, and something to wrap the baby in The boiled water is to sanitize or disinfect.

04-11-2005, 05:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	Yes, deflated balloon would be a good description immediately after. Genetics will tell if it goes completely back to pre-birth appearance-some are fortunate enough, others, like me, are not-the muscles become disconnected and only a tummy tuck can fix that. Also, C-sections, the size of the baby and number of babies one carries all play a part in what will happen to your body. I was once told, it takes 9 months for the stomach to get to looking like that, it's not going to take a day to get it back. (I'm still waiting 13 years later to get it back)

04-13-2005, 05:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
Grasshopper Green ...is a comical chap Location: Where morons reign supreme	A lot of women still look pregnant after they give birth...I did. The uterus has to go back to its previous size, and this can cause women to have a bloated looking stomach after birth. Some women are blessed with no or very few stretch marks and will have their old bellies back....others, again like me, had a lot and nothing short of cosmetic surgery will make it flat again, because of the excess skin. And, I don't know about the water and towels. No hot water was used in the birth of my son, and the only towel used was the one to wipe the sweat of my face __________________ "They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king" Formerly Medusa

04-13-2005, 06:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
Seeker Getting Clearer Location: with spirit	I must have been so lucky... the nurses said that breast feeding also brings the uterus back to it's original size. Was this apparent for either of you? (ShaniFaye & Medusa99) __________________ *To those who wander but who are not lost...* ~ Knowledge is not something you acquire, it is something you open yourself to.

04-15-2005, 04:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
Lin Guest	I was lucky too , my stomach went back to normal pretty quickly and I never got any stretchmarks from either of my pregnancies. I didnt put a lot of weight on while pregnant , so that is probably why , that and I guess i have pretty elastic skin.

04-15-2005, 07:40 AM	#16 (permalink)
Seeker Getting Clearer Location: with spirit	ShaniFaye: Hmmm, I breast fed and I was also back into my pre preggie clothes within 2 weeks, but because I was breast feeding I looked damn good! I lost 5kg and stayed at 47kg for five years (and lost my boobs sniff...) - I guess you can never tell __________________ *To those who wander but who are not lost...* ~ Knowledge is not something you acquire, it is something you open yourself to.