Why do pregnant bellies stay big after birth?

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.


Does your belly stay big after pregnancy?

"Some [people] will experience their stomach deflating quickly, within hours of giving birth, while others will see their stomach remain protruded for weeks, and even months or years after birth.

Why is my tummy not getting flat after pregnancy?

It's called diastasis recti, a medical condition created when the abdominal muscles become separated, creating a gap between the rectus abdominis muscles. During pregnancy, abdominal wall muscles get stretched due to the physical growth and pressure of the baby inside the pelvis.


How long after having a baby does your belly go back to normal?

Separated stomach muscles

The amount of separation can vary. It happens because your growing womb (uterus) pushes the muscles apart, making them longer and weaker. The separation between your stomach muscles will usually go back to normal by the time your baby is 8 weeks old.

Does postpartum saggy belly go away?

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. Improvement will depend on: a woman's weight and age before pregnancy.


Why some women struggle with pregnancy belly long after giving birth



Why do I still look pregnant 3 months postpartum?

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.

How can I fix my post pregnancy belly?

Exercise right. Getting some exercise and eating healthfully will help you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight within a few months. But if you want to see that tummy flat, you'll have to do some exercises that target your abdominal muscles. And here's the secret: Don't immediately go for crunches.

How do I get rid of big belly after pregnancy?

6 easy steps to lose belly fat after delivering a baby
  1. 01/7​6 easy steps to lose belly fat after delivering a baby. ...
  2. 02/7​Breastfeed your baby. ...
  3. 03/7​Eat frequently. ...
  4. 04/7​Start exercising. ...
  5. 05/7​Start with a simple walk. ...
  6. 06/7​Try deep belly breathing with abdominal contraction. ...
  7. 07/7​Drink ajwain water.


What helps flatten your stomach after pregnancy?

Exercise can help to tone stomach muscles and burn calories (Evenson et al 2014, Amorim Adegboye et al 2013). You can do light exercise like walking and stretching even in the early weeks after having your baby .

Why do I look permanently pregnant?

Why it happens: It's common after pregnancy, when the tissues and muscles of your abdomen are stretched out from the growing uterus. However, anyone can get it (since everyone has an abdomen) from doing exercises incorrectly, intense weight fluctuations, or other causes.

What happens if diastasis recti goes untreated?

Untreated in adults, diastasis recti can lead to lower back pains, poor posture, hernia, constipation, and weakened pelvic alignment.


Why can't I lose weight after having a baby?

Your body is still healing.

“Many women gain a large amount of gestational weight. And after the baby comes, you have less time to exercise, less sleep, and your body is still healing from pregnancy and delivery,” explains Laura Arndt, a pre- and postnatal expert and the CEO of Matriarc.

Why is my belly so big 4 months postpartum?

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.

Why do I look 6 months pregnant after birth?

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch apart to accommodate the growing fetus. However, after birth, if these muscles do not go back to their original position and close the gap, the organs behind the muscles bulge out, causing the belly to sag.


Does pregnancy cause permanent weight gain?

They found that while most women never returned to their pre-pregnancy weight, their weight at 1-2 years after giving birth was nearly identical to what they could have been expected to weigh if they didn't have children, Yakusheva said. Women with and without children gained 1.94 pounds a year due to age.

Why do I still look pregnant 9 months after giving birth?

Diastasis recti (abdominal separation) is when your ab muscles called the rectus abdominis separate. This abdominal separation occurs during pregnancy and it is completely normal. It is necessary for your body to make room for a baby.

What's the fastest way to lose weight after having a baby?

Exercise. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the best way to shed the pounds. Exercise will help you lose fat instead of muscle. Once you are ready to start losing weight, eat a little less and move a little more each day.


What is the fastest way to lose weight after pregnancy?

5 keys to safely losing weight after having a baby
  1. Set realistic weight-loss goals. Setting yourself up for postpartum weight-loss success starts by knowing how long it usually takes. ...
  2. Eat well-balanced meals. ...
  3. Portion control. ...
  4. Make time for exercise — but ease into it. ...
  5. Don't forget about self-care.


Why am I gaining so much weight postpartum?

Postpartum weight gain can happen for a number of reasons, from the fact that you're fatigued or don't have time for a regular excercise routine, or because of an underlying health condition that requires attention, such as postpartum thyroiditis, diabetes, or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

When is it too late to fix diastasis recti?

It's never too late to repair your diastasis recti. With the proper exercises, you can fix your ab separation years after you've delivered your last baby.


What does your stomach look like if you have diastasis recti?

A belly "bulge" that can look like a baby bump is the telltale sign of diastasis recti, and it's usually most noticeable when you're contracting or straining muscles in your abdomen.

Who is prone to diastasis recti?

Abdominal separation is more common in women who have had more than 1 child, are aged over 35 or who are having twins or triplets (or more). It can also occur in a small-statured woman who is having a larger-than-average baby. It is sometimes known as 'DRAM' (diastasis of rectus abdominis muscle).

When will I stop looking pregnant postpartum?

“Immediately after delivery, the uterus will be at the level of your belly button, which is reminiscent of being 20 weeks pregnant,” Ross says. “Women tend to look pregnant for another six to nine weeks as the uterus and saggy, post-baby belly find their way back to normal.”


What is Endo belly?

Endo belly is the colloquial term for abdominal distension caused by endometriosis. Unlike the short-term bloating that sometimes accompanies your period, endo belly is much more severe, triggering physical, mental, and emotional symptoms.

How long does postpartum bloating last?

It is normal for postpartum women to have swelling, especially in their legs and feet. It is usually your body's way of getting rid of some of the excess fluid accumulated during pregnancy. Swelling may take up to two weeks to resolve.