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my stomach returned to normal much faster after my v____al birth. I think it was due to one: less swelling from no scar, two: no tearing and/or cutting of all the layers with a new lip formed, and three: and perhaps most important, LESS PAIN so I could use my stomach muscles right away. there are many things affected by the c-seciton birth and I would not choose one when given a choice. Good luck to you!

I've never had a VB, but after a c-section you have a long, hard lump of scar tissue inside, that feels like a banana or a rope, and takes a while to go away (like months).

hi,

I HAD A EMERGENCY C-SECTION, AND ITS BEEN ALMOST 18 MONTHS AGO AND THERES DAYS THAT I STILL HAVE PAINS FROM IT. ANOTHER THING IT TAKES A WHILE FOR YOUR BODY TO GO BACK OR CLOSE TO IT TO SHAPE. IF YOU WERE TO HAVE A C-SECTION MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR IS GOOD AT IT, I LOOK LIKE I NEVER EVEN HAD A C-SECTION THATS HOW THIN IT IS,BUT DON'T WORRY EVERY BODY IS DIFFERNT AND AS WELL HEALING. JUST REMEMBER WHATS IMPORTANT YOUR HEALTH AND THE BABY.

I just read "the essential c-section guide" and it said that no abdominal muscles are cut.

Actually, that is not true, if the mother truly is TOO small in the total pelvic region and there is not enough width to push the muscles to the sides and still reach the uterus the muscles are indeed cut. i have seen this stated before and know or more than one instance in which the muscles were really cut. The trouble with books is that they go by "normal" and uncomplicated, and "average" and do not list all the variances of regularly performed procedures. You can usually tell the moms who had true muscle cuts, they do not fare nearly as well as the other c-section moms. Anyhow, everyone MUST talk to more than one doctor about these operations, really, it would be doing yourself a favor, also, don't let someone preach to the choir, actively seek out opposing medical viewpoints so you can truly make an informed decison if you are deciding which way to go.

i have had 2 c's and my stomache muscles are shot...

I had a c-section and my muscles were cut. I don't know what guide that you are reading Jessica but everyone I know that has had a c/s have had thier muscles cut. It has been 4months since mine and it still does not feel normal.

Yes, the uterus is a muscle. I'm not saying this isn't a big deal or anything...don't get me wrong. Obviously, the uterus is cut. But the abdominal muscles are different than the uterus. I think this is irrelevant anyway, since her Milla's question was re: v____al vs. c-section and how your abdomen responds.

I have just found out that the pain I have in my scar, now 2 years after my c-section, is because part of my muscle was accidently st_tched up. It has created a funny looking ditch in the soft part of my belly half way between my navel and my scar.

Jessica is right, in most typical cases, the abdominal muscles are not cut. I spoke w/ my doctor at length about this after my unexpected c-section. The abdomnical muscles are moved aside during surgery. I had my surgery just over 3 weeks ago, and I seem to be healing well in the abdominal region. I do have a bit of a bulge over my scar, but I'm told this relates to scar tissue and continued swelling. Many women who have "poor abs" after such an event are often not in good physical shape to begin with or suffered damage to their ab muscles during pregnancy. Your ab muscles can separate from pregnancy (uterus expanding) and if they are not exercised properly after pregnancy, the stretched muscles can get worse. I am dying to have my "old" body back, so I have been researching what happened during surgery and what I need to do NOW! :o) Good luck!

In my case, my abdominal muscles were indeed cut. I have seen my delivery doc_mentation. Due to both the internal and external skeletal design of my pelvis the minimum 4 inch incision extended well over both hip bones. Because of that, there was no room internally to push the muscles anywhere, much less to the sides. My first and largest baby was only 7.5 pounds, but way too big for me. Fortunately I had been competing one level below the Olympics in gymnastics and my stomach went immediately back to flat. BUT...my doc also said it was like cutting through concrete to get to my baby. Most people I know who did not spend 35 hours a week doing gymnastics for years had more positive results with vag-births. The "lip" is the thing that does most c-section moms in and sometimes that takes awhile to show up. You will be beautiful either way because you are someone's MOM.