Home Maryanne's Tales My Random Experiences Now how do I dress this post-baby body?

Now how do I dress this post-baby body?

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Like I told you earlier, I go back to work next week Monday.*Holding head in hands* But that’s not my major issue of concern today, for I think I have a bigger problem. I cannot find any clothes that can fit me. Yaani work clothes. The only fitting clothes in my wardrobe are my nightdresses, a few branded baggy t-shirts, baggy tracksuits pants and ofcourse, my maternity clothes (and in particular my favorite corduroy pants). I work for a very liberal and understanding employer but I think it will be quite disrespectful if I show up for work in any of the above attire. That will be akin to abuse of office privileges.

So why don’t I have clothes that can fit me? Because I have expanded. Naturally. It was expected but yawa, what will it take for me to get back to my pre-pregnancy size? Oh sorry, I guess I should be asking – will I ever get back to my pre-pregnancy size? You tell me. But miss babes already condemned me by warning me, while I was pregnant, that that will never happen.

Now, my major problem area is my mid section area. It is thick like a banana tree. The irony being that despite the thick mid-section, my tummy resembles a deflated tyre and is quite jelly. Grrrr. I must say that I was quite huge when I was pregnant. I am 4 11’, and I delivered a 3.7kg baby. This is how I looked at 7 months.

By the 9th month, there was no difference between my vertical and horizontal profiles. I looked like a small hippo. Now, how do I dress this my midsection? The main problem is to get pants that can fit me. Thing is, my height did not increase, but my width did. So if I get pants that fits me at the waist, the length is overflowing ,and if I trim them to an appropriate length, they end up looking like bermuda shorts. Or Sinbad’s trousers. So I’ve been shopping and shopping and shopping around, but I just cannot get pants that fit me. So at this particular moment, on a Friday, unless a miracle happens, I might just end up going to work on Monday in a nightdress. The flowered ones with three buttons at the front. Which are very good by the way for functionality purposes when you’re breastfeeding. I really love my nighties.

And then, let’s go to the upper body. Lets stop at the bosom area. I must say that in that department, I was blessed. In leaps and bounds that is. Now throw in pregnancy and breastfeeding. And the blessings multiplied in abundance. So now I have to look for tops that can comfortably accommodate my bosom, yet not look oversize. Because the ones that fit my bosom are the ones that are too big in all other areas, especially the hands and the shoulders, such that I look like I’m wearing a tight-oversized top (whatever that is). They end up looking like overalls because they are also quite too long for me. By the way why do people who wear overalls always have them in a size or two sizes big?

Haya, next – I didn’t know that my feet would remain expanded for this long. They enlarged when I was pregnant, but I thought they would bounce back once I’d downloaded. Now its three months later and they’re still not back to their original size. So the shoes that I used to wear to work are too tight. The only footwear that fits me right now are my slippers and socks. Geez, at this rate I’ll end up going to work in slippers.

So that’s where I’m at right now. I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out what exactly to do. The more I think about it, the more I fear that I’ll end up buying those ‘mathe’ looking clothes coz right now those are the ones I’m suspecting will fit me right. Ohhhh *shivering*, that’s a very terrifying thought because I certainly don’t want to look like a ‘mathe’, seeing as I’m only 21 years old *cough cough and wink wink*. I want clothes that will make me look young, but certainly not clothes that will make me look like I’m going to starr in a Nonini video.

Oh dear, now what will I do? Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and Monday will reach as I’m still sitting here on my couch asking myself what to do. Grrr!

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Maryanne W. Waweru is a Kenyan mum raising her two sons in Nairobi. A journalist, Maryanne is passionate about telling stories and hopes that through her writing, her readers learn something new, feel encouraged, inspired, and appreciative of what they have in their lives. Maryanne's writing focuses on motherhood, women and lifestyle. "Telling stories is the only thing I know how to do," she says.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Ngai… come i take u shopping.. there is a way we might pass by church first and pray then go shopping…. divine intervention is what we should seek!!!

    Maryanne note: Hehehe, wewe Miss Babes wacha uchokozi….

  2. yawa maryanne, it happened to me too, so had to look for a few clothes as i sort myself out coz i thought i would reduce with time but wapi so had to change my wardrobe totally brace yourself. and at 7 months that size waa u really stretched i was the same size at 9 months, waa. i can introduce you to a person who sales suits at sunbeam his called thomas, his number is 0738490615. hope this helps , update me good luck

    Maryanne note: Thanks Joselyn, I’ve managed to squeeze myself into some clothes that I bought last minute. And thank God I go to work in casuals – jeans, linen, khaki etc. Will call Thomas and ask if he has casuals. Thanks loads.

  3. Hmmm…. Get some clothes custom made if finding some is proving tricky. Also tunaeza enda gym for 30min 3 days a week and I think MOW has Zumba classes after 5… At least think about it:-)

    Maryanne note: I need to find time for that gym. It’s in South C? Is there any in Nbi West?

  4. You know Maryanne this really resonates with me. When I resumed work after I had my first baby I was guilty of donning ill fitting clothes during the first two months because I was in between sizes – my pre pregnancy and pregnancy sizes. Luckily my employer is quite easy about dressing and I did not have much trouble, save for the discomfort of appearing to burst out of your clothes. I managed to get some nice tops at 4u2 capital centre that were in between pregnancy and post pregnancy. Perhaps you can get something there. Then I got a guy in Kenyatta Market who has a nice selection of clothes. Inbox me for details.All the best.

    Maryanne note: Thanks Lucy, will check out the store at capirro center.

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