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My new mommy body post pregancy...

Ledonna N.

Veteran

So I'll be returning to work after being on maternity leave for 18 weeks. I pretty much feel ss if I'm confident. I can fit into my pre-pregancy clothing.

What i cannot do is fit into my pre-pregancy work jeans. I work for a major university and hospital here in Chicago. My field is in I.T. not, the sit at your desk all day kind. But the installation repair maintenance meet with customers look neat and presentable while crawling in the ceiling the telecom closets.

I go from one extreme to another. I have been a fan of the highwaist wideleg dressy but rugged denim. To have a pulled together look. I had all of those tailord to my waist and height 5'2 and flat waist.

Well now i cannot fit into any of my jeans for work my waist has expanded one size up with that after pregancy belly. After a good cry. Ive bern stalking the thrift stores. I really dont want to invest more money in denim for work.

With daycare single parenthood daily expenses. I'm on an even tighter budget. So guess I'm just venting. I just birthed a human. Lol hahaha just feeling a certain type of way. I'll be posting pictures of my go back work fits. I will neef help.

I wish i could just wear overalls and be done with it. I was told thats not pprofessional enough. I supplement this by wear gear vest or cute vest i find. I dont eant to be that woman who wears the tight clothing going back to work.

I worn that belly band that is like a waist trainer. My body is. Not snapping back despite eating healthy. Oh well nothing a tummy tuck or a carton of icecream wont cure.

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Ledonna N.

Lucy

Veteran

Well, if I didn't live all the way away in Australia, I'd pop over and give you a hug!
Four thoughts -
(1)18 weeks is a pretty short time. Nine months of pregnancy, nine months to bounce back is a pretty common idea.
(2) But TBH my waist never quite recovered. I think I weigh less now than before pregnancy, but I still have never quite regained the flat tummy I used to own before Mr Twelve came along. He was an enormous baby, and I just have some loose skin that's never going to go. I don't sweat it because I'd rather have him than a flat tummy, and I know you are the same with your gorgeous Zion'Joy.
(3) Thrifting is a great option, or even one of the cheap chain stores (Kmart in Australia - not sure if it's Walmart in the US!) would be perfect to tide you over. And if in a few months things haven't changed, then you can invest in some good tailoring. Cheap jeans are a lot better than they used to be IMO. Or maybe just buy one good pair you love, and wear them to death?
(4) who says overalls aren't good enough? Sounds like you have the perfect job to wear overalls, and you can certainly dress them up, we have seen you work your clothes!
Here's to a FABULOUS re-entry to the workforce - we know you will rock it.

JAileen

Veteran

Yes, it takes longer to get back your waist. You might never, but you probably will. Don't discard your pre pregnancy clothes. Can you get a couple pairs of pants in a larger size for the time being? Maybe even elastic waisted pants.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Lucy Thank you for the fab solutions and the really grest advise. All I obsessed over my whole career is plimers crack. I will splurge and get a really great pair kmart has closed down but I'll check out walmart.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

It takes the body a while to recover. AND your post baby shape might be little different than it was. But I think you'll get back to a shape that makes you happy. In the meantime, I'm pretty sure I continued to wear maternity pants for a long time after my son was born

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Jaileen that is a truth I can acknowledge and elastic may do Tuesday trick. Thank you.

Emily thank you so much. As an already plus size it was difficult to find maternity jeans that fit. Either to tight or big. The sizing was all over the place. I was allowed to wear dresses at work.

rachylou

Veteran

Yeah, 19 weeks isn't that long. Walmart isn't a bad idea at all. I have a fave pair of pants from Walmart - and they're from the maternity section, lol.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Such lovely words and suggestions here.

(Lucy, you rock).

I've worked with clients pre and post pregnancy and it takes about a year for the body to get back to where it was after birth - or thereabouts. Don't be too hard on yourself, sweet Ledonna. No plumbers crack for you - so I also vote cute overalls. If ANYONE can make them look fun and stylish - you can.

Sal

Veteran

Hugs from Downunder!! Lucy said it so well.

It is a tricky position to be in. I added in one pair of jeans that fitted with my new shape after birth and wore them to death. If you are getting dirty then you may need two.

I also think denim overalls could look great - especially with colourful patterned tops underneath.

What about mens workwear type shops - even getting some altered? Quality would be good?

Aquamarine

Veteran

True confession: I wore maternity jeans for a very long time after the birth of each of my three children. No one will know.

Kate

Veteran

18 weeks is no time at all, Ledonna. Be as generous and loving to that miraculous body that nutured and birthed a human being as you are to everyone else.

Could Tem perhaps take your good work jeans and insert an elastic panel?

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Im thankful for each and every one of you all. I'm going yo call my director and see if i can do a pair of overalls.

You all are right. I uave to be kind to this body. Besides i will be walking all over campus and taking a well balanced lunch. I'm hopeful for not just looking good but feeling great.

Gail

Veteran

I was very lucky and lost my baby weight right away all 3 times, BUT my waist was never as small as it had been. I think the suggestion of buying a cheap pair of jeans or wearing your maternity ones to tide you over is good one. After another 6 months you can re-evaluate !

Elle

Veteran

It took me much much longer than 18 weeks (Ok, almost a year) to lose my baby fat and, to be honest, my waist was never the same. Treat yourself gently, continue to eat healthy and you will (trust me) end up with a body you are happy with. During this transitional time, elastic waists and cheap jeans are your friends.

Anonymous

Oh Ledonna! I could just cry reading this! You are way way ahead if you can fit into ANY of your clothes. Jeans are the worst! It's so hard to find a good fit even when you haven't just had a baby!
Are your maternity jeans too big? Could you have someone sew one of those stretchy maternity bands onto the top of your jeans? Have you asked a tailor?
Would you consider a workwear site like Carrhart? Just for work?
It has to be difficult to leave your little doll baby and that, combined with all the other hormonal emotional readjustment doesn't make the whole rediscovering your new body thing any more fun.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Isabel such great suggestions you have given. I had 3 pair of maternity jeans. 1 pr is suitable for wor. The others fall off my new midsection. I had an emergency c-section so that body wad a huge shock. This body is much better than that one. Ugh. My auntie calls Zion'Joy Doll Baby. You are the only other person I've heard say that. It's nice.

Elle & Gail thsnk you both so much. I see the wisdom if what you are saying. It sure is a journey. I will give myself some grace and mercy.
My jeans were tailored to a flat waist. I'm just going to donate and start fresh.

anne

Veteran

I's with everyone else in saying that 18 weeks is way too soon to expect a return to prepregnancy body.
What was a lifesaver for me was pants in bengaline, a sort of firm stretchy fabric. I had some in a denim colour. It had a nice wide comfortable waistband.
Since my pregnancies were a while ago, mine had bootcut legs, but I see there are skinnies around now.

The thing is - when I google this, I only get hits from Australia. I wonder if this fabric is called something else in the US. Anyone know?

Aziraphale

Veteran

Ledonna, I so understand! Keep in mind that 18 weeks is probably too soon for most people to fit back into their pre-pregnancy jeans. It took me a whole year after my first kid, and never (lol) after my second. I think my pelvis widened slightly. You are fab and you MUST go easy on yourself!

I'd get a few pairs of very inexpensive thrift store jeans in the meantime, or else just say screw it and wear overalls (which would look darn cute on you, I bet). Overalls are one of the things that look better on short women than on tall ones.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Ledonna, you've gotten lots of good advice and support. Sending a hug your way!
Also, I wondered if you could wear a dress with, say, some kind of shorts underneath for when you have to crawl around equipment.

SandyG

Veteran

Sending hugs to you, too, and please don't fret. Jeans are tough on a post C-section body, let along a petite one. Improvement is in millimeters, not inches when you're a petite so don't get discouraged -- it's just the canvas you're working with! I wouldn't spend your time thrifting, just get to the shops for a couple pair of work pants. It's necessary, you'll wear them frequently, so spend the $$ and have them ready to go. If you can't find a pair of jeans that fit the way you prefer, maybe ponte pants will work for the next few months? You'll want to look and feel pulled-together in this transition. It doesn't mean you have to buy anything expensive, but it's a high priority for returning to work. Good luck -- we're all on your side

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ledonna, sending big hugs your way. You have already received great advice from those who have been there, and since I have not lived through pregnancy I can't offer better, but I can echo what Angie said and remind you that you are an incredibly fashionable woman and you are going to find your own unique and very stylish way to handle this one! Plus, anybody who tells you that you should "bounce back" 100% after 18 weeks is out of his or her mind!

Amy Isabella

Veteran

Sending huge hugs Ledonna. 18 weeks is nothing, especially after a c-section! Be kind and give yourself time lovely stylish lady.

Bijou

Veteran

Ledonna - its only 18 weeks since you gave birth.... I was in my maternity jeans for at least 9 months, your body is still dealing with the seismic changes that come with motherhood.

I was 40 year old when I gave birth so I didn't "bounce back" immediately. However, eventually I did get back to my pre-birth size with a slightly softer tummy and a few stretch marks - but hey - it is kind of nice to blame my less than perfect figure on my son rather than the fact that I am 49 years old. Keep your old clothes for at least a year because your body will continue to change over the next 9 - 18 months.

My recommendation is to buy 2 new pairs of comfortable jeans or pants, I am sure your thrifting network will supply some amazing ones and stay strong. With your fashion sense, you will be killer amazing, even if you wear the sam outfit every day. You are one very beautiful and stylish individual and are proving to be an amazing mum. Zion'Joy is a lucky little girl. I wish you worked in my office, I would love to see your gorgeous outfits each day.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Thank uou all so much for the words of wisdom and advise. I take comfort in knowing that you all can empathize whith what I'm facing
My body has changed so very much. Even tho in the long run it does not matter. I still want to look pulled together. This of a picture of my 1st day back at work. I build and maintain communication systems for a major university & hospital. I wish I could.wear.a skort. Lol

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Traci

Veteran

It was literally years after I had my last baby before I wore real jeans again. Jeans can be one of the very least forgiving clothing items on the planet. Look for pull on pants in whatever style floats your boat, wide leg, skinny, boot cut.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Hey Traci I wish I had more options in bottoms. I need to look for pull on elastic waist. Either jeans or chinos ugh Probably why I dress so colorfully in my real life.

Joy

Veteran

Just empathizing. No one told me that I'd still need to wear maternity clothes after the baby...for months! Try Target. Maybe even get a new pair of maternity jeans that you can wear to work. You will be very tired while you adjust to your work schedule and sleep deprived. Be gentle with yourself and take time to adjust. Your little sweetie may be more needy too. Big hugs. This, too, shall pass.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I'm just going to second what everyone else is saying. You've barely started on recovering from birth so look at your current body as very temporary. Treat your wardrobe now very similar to what you did when you were pregnant. Get a few things that fit well and wear them over and over until you're sick of them because your body will change again before you know it. And good luck on going back to work. That in and of itself it a huge adjustment!!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

What about rompers? I'm not into them, but you've got the perfect reason to wear one, with a sash to accentuate the waist.

For your pants, there are these little extender things that connect to the button and loop through the buttonhole. They look silly, but if that all you need, it might be easiest. Looking at your clothes, aI wouldn't be surprised if you had a sarong or kanga or piece of gorgeous fabric. When I was in Dar es Salaam, women wore two matching pieces, one for the top and one for the bottom. That would be hard to do when you're crawling under desks, but you could wrap one around your jeans, if you know how I mean.

A third option would be long skirts, full enough that you have extra fabric to cover your legs in various positions, but not so full they get in the way.

The C-section sounds hard. I never understand when people say they're the "easy" way. Heck, i could hardly go from lying down to sitting for a week after laparoscopic surgery in that area, with pinhole incisions. And of course you aren't just focusing on yourself--you have a new person your responsible for and to delight in.

I'm not sure how lot ago this post is from. You looked great in your Saturday in the park pix, and in that first day back pic too. Maybe this isn't an open question any more.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Fasiontern I just came back from maternity leave June 28th so very recently. I've documented everything on the forum. No question is to old. I wish I could wear rompers. I am an IT installer and I lift and install cabling and fiber optics and all corresponding equipment. So that would be to delicate.