You gain weight over 9+ months of pregnancy, so it's normal to take 9+ months to get back your pre-pregnancy body after your baby is born. However, a belly bulge that doesn't go away for months after delivery can be a sign of diastasis recti—a separation of your abdominal muscles.
This is common, and after you give birth, both your stomach and your uterus will start to contract to their pre-pregnancy sizes. Expect it to take around six weeks for your uterus to contract fully. At six weeks, you may have already lost the weight you gained during pregnancy.
Some postpartum stomach bulges require more patience and attention, as it's possible that your stomach isn't shrinking due to an underlying condition, such as diastasis recti. Your abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy, and diastasis recti occurs when the connective tissue remains separated postpartum.
You may have what is generally known as Mummy Tummy, Mummy Pooch, of Baby Belly. Many people think it is an inevitable retention of pregnancy weight, but it's not; it's not even weight, or fat, at all. In medical terms, it is a pospartum complication called diastasis recti or divarication.
If you still look pregnant or experience abdominal pain weeks or months after giving birth, you might be suffering from a condition called diastasis recti, or abdominal muscle separation.
Once the baby is born, the halves come back together and heal during the first 6-8 weeks. The “pooch” that won't go away, is often the result of these halves not healing properly, leaving a separation that acts as a hernia when the muscle is contracted.
The connective tissue between the abdominal muscles can thin and weaken, and that can lead to a bulge in your belly. That post-pregnancy bulge is commonly known as a "mommy pooch" or "mommy-tummy" and it will not go away with diet and exercise. DRA is not a cosmetic concern.
Loose skin may never regain its prepregnancy appearance without medical treatment. However, diet and exercise can help reduce the appearance of loose skin after pregnancy over time.
How long should I wear a postpartum belt? Postpartum belly wraps are your sidekick, especially during those first few weeks. It's recommended that belly bands are worn between two to 12 weeks postpartum for the best possible results.
Do the 'Stomach Vacuum' Start on all fours with your back straight, arms slightly bent at the elbows. Relax your abdominals and take a big breath in so your belly extends towards the floor. 'Slowly exhale and draw your belly button towards your spine, doing a pelvic floor exercise at the same time,' says James.
Cardio such as swimming, aerobics, running or dancing will burn this excess fat store. HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is the fastest way to trim down stomach fat.
Gaining weight solely in your stomach may be the result of specific lifestyle choices. The two S's — stress and sugar — play a significant role in the size of your midsection. Certain medical conditions and hormonal changes can contribute to abdominal weight gain.
Sometimes, excess fat around the belly is due to hormones. Hormones help regulate many bodily functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive. If a person has a deficiency in certain hormones, it may result in weight gain around the abdomen, which is known as a hormonal belly.
Generally, if the muscles are going to heal on their own, they will within three months of birth. If you are several months postpartum, it's likely that your diastasis recti is here to stay. Some women have had success using targeted exercises to help the muscles move closer together.
Some women use a postpartum belly wrap after having a baby to help their muscles. Studies show that wraps or binders might help with pain and healing after a C-section (cesarean section). They might also help support your organs and muscles as they move back into place after having a baby.
If you're planning to deliver your baby by Cesarean section, or if you've already given birth by C-section, you should receive an abdominal binder before you leave the hospital or you may choose to purchase your own.
However, a belly bulge that doesn't go away for months after delivery can be a sign of diastasis recti—a separation of your abdominal muscles. The normal separation between your abdominal muscles is about 0.5 – 1 centimeter or about one finger width.
Common signs of diastasis recti during the postpartum period are: A visible bulge or "pooch" that protrudes just above or below the belly button. Softness or jelly-like feeling around your belly button. Coning or doming when you contract your ab muscles.
It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
A person's body composition changes as they age, which can lead to a belly bulge. For females, the decrease in the hormone estrogen during menopause triggers an accumulation of body fat. Fat tissues produce estrogen, so more is produced after menopause to create a balance.