[BigDaddy]

Ok, I posted a bit of a long winded rant and a few questions over in the Motherhood section but I thought I might come here and ask a few more.

Please be gentle

My girlfriend and I had a baby 9 weeks ago via Caesar. She had a few little problems with her wound being sore, but its all but fixed now and she has a "slightly" rounded stomach she now just can't see past.

She is 38, literally drop dead gorgeous but her waist has increased 1 1/2 maybe 2 inches after the birth. Unfortunately most of her pre pregnancy clothes are a little tight and really don't fit quite right. She is working a pretty small wardrobe of track pants and loose fitting tops at the minute.

I've made the obvious suggestions regarding spending sprees for a new wardrobe, have told her she still looks wonderful and have tried spending heaps of time just with her, but her patience is wearing very thin over her new "baby body"

Any tips on how I can help her realise its only temporary and that even with 2 or 3 pounds in the wrong place, she is still gorgeous.

[LanaBear]

Such a touchy subject for new moms... It's hard, we battle all these insane hormones before, during and after delivery, we have the best gift ever in the world in our arms, there's no reason to be happy, but we're still frustrated with the way we look.

Other than to continue doing what you are doing, there may not be much you can do. We have this idea in our head that because Angelina Jolie has no post baby body, neither should we. It's not realistic, but it's hard because this isn't what we are used to.

Most of us battle the same issues after pregnancy. Honestly, she's rocking it for only 9 weeks after giving birth. I know she doesn't realize this, but she'll slowly get back there in time. It is hard, but just continue to support her.

[LedZeppelin]

Congratulations on bringing a child into this world first and foremost Secondly if shes that worried and stressed over her new baby bod casually suggest working it off. Even offer to do it with her, this way she can see how much you support her

[Hopeless Dork]

I wouldn't personally suggest casually or otherwise working it off... she sounds pretty driven and will get her body back... I think you even mentioning what she could do about it in her delicate state could get you in the doghouse.

Keep reminding her how beautiful she is... keeping reminding her how greatful you are to her for bringing your child into the world. Focus on the positive... let her catch you giving her sexy stares when she bends over. Flirt with her... give her a reason to dress up and feel good like taking her out for a fancy dinner. Treat her to a massage or spa treatment, things that put the focus on making her feel good inside and out.

[newhere808]

give her a reason to dress up and feel good like taking her out for a fancy dinner.

I would advise against this part if her pre-pregnancy clothes are no longer fitting, trying to get them on may frustrate her and ruin the night. I agree with everything else HD and others said though, you just gotta be patient with it and supportive as you can.

[Hopeless Dork]

I would advise against this part if her pre-pregnancy clothes are no longer fitting, trying to get them on may frustrate her and ruin the night. I agree with everything else HD and others said though, you just gotta be patient with it and supportive as you can.

I think it may just inspire her to go out and find a new dress that makes her feel sexy. You are right though... if it just causes her to try everything on in frustration that it doesn't fit yet it could go badly. But how about an invite to a fancy dinner coupled with a gift card to her favorite dress store? Ack toughy. It will take some patience, but remember you are dealing with not only weight gain, which a lot of women have issues with even if its just a pound or 2... but also post partum hormones which are likely making her more sensitive than usual.

[CHANDLERS WISH]

Keep telling her she's beautiful and smile and look at her with love in your eyes as you say it. Sure, she won't believe you but she will over time, it's a waiting thing.. Some women just can't handle this until they get back to where they were.

Be careful she doesn't suffer from Prenatal depression, watch her moods with you and with the baby, because this also makes a woman feel low in herself and it's a genuine decease, not something you can change and therefore, she will need to see a Doctor to help her through it...

When you don't love yourself, it's hard to give that love to others, if that makes sense, which can be depression as well.

CW