after having my baby, my body is not back where it used to be. These jeans are great - they look stylish without the pain of trying to fit into a pair of jeans that just don't fit.
The rise sits just about an inch below my belly button, and there is no gap in the back.
I had ordered a size larger last year, and they did lose their stretch after a couple months (i wore them nearly every day, so beyone normal wear).