Post-partum stomach getting bigger

[ThisIsUsRRR]

Hi everyone. I am incredibly blessed and thankful to be a first time Mum to my 6.5 week old son. After I gave birth I dropped quite a lot of the weight gained in the first couple of weeks and had a little stomach pouch. But in the last two weeks for some reason my stomach seems to have popped right out, I honestly look about 4/5 months pregnant no exaggeration and even my Mum who would never comment on things like that has noticed. If people saw it they would congratulate me! I don’t understand why it has got worse rather than better. Yes I do need to eat a bit better and exercise but it doesn’t make sense. Does anyone know why this would be and do I need to see a GP? Although going back to my pre-pregnancy size and shape isn’t priority my protruding stomach is slightly concerning. Thanks!

[Running79]

In a way I’m glad I’m not the only one! I had my daughter 10 weeks ago by C Section. I have been on the occasional walk with the dog, and I’m back running on my running machine, I’ve also recently started stomach exercises.

But I like you can’t understand why my stomach isn’t going down I look like I did at about 15 weeks pregnant

Im not sure how long it takes for it to disappear, I can’t fit into my pre pregnancy jeans either which is annoying and wearing the maternity ones.

So sorry I don’t have the answer but just wanted to let you know your not alone

[Pnw2020 in reply to Running79]

Hi ladies. I am not post partum yet but it could be related to a diastasis recti. I would say do lots of pelvic floor exercises See NHS squeezy app.

I would also recommend post natal pilates

Avoid stomach crunches etc until your core recovers which will be individual

It might be worth looking into a Mummy MOT if you are UK based.

[Running79 in reply to Pnw2020]

Thanks I will look into that

[ThisIsUsRRR in reply to Running79]

Thank you. It helps knowing I’m not alone! It’s just odd as well as frustrating. I might see my GP in a couple of weeks if no better x

[Pnw2020]

Ask to be referred to a women’s health physio. They can be hard to find on the NHS but private physio clinics will often have one. Mummy MOT is done by a women’s health physio privately and is highly recommended. Unfortunately there is a cost but will put you on the right pathway

[MissSaoPaulo]

Hi hon, as said above it sounds like diastasis - the vertical muscles in your abdomen have separated to make room for your growing baby and sometimes they don't go back and that leaves you with a bit of a pooch. It's not a question of losing weight, don't even worry about that!! There are exercises that can help, but if you can, see a physio specializing in pregnancy/post partum as some abdominal exercises like crunches can actually make things worse. Congratulations on your little sleep stealer, hope things are going smoothly xxx

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

It sounds like you could have diastasis recti there are checks for it but it's pretty obvious if you try to sit up then your stomach domes out in the middle. If you have it there exercises you can do. I had it really bad and I do mutu which is an online set of exercises that help but it really does take time. You need to be really careful what exercise you do if you have it. No planks, or crunches or anything that causes your stomach to dome. I think they even reccomend no running. 6.5 weekend after giving birth is really soon, your body is still very much sorting itself out after giving birth and carrying a baby. My midwife said it takes as long to go back to normal as it did to change in the first place.

[Shopper85]

It's quite normal can be a combination of diet, moving less, hormones etc. I was slimmer in pregnancy than after because your body starts to store fat for energy knowing it has a baby to feed. Its hard to lose it after but don't do yourself injustice in the first year your tummy will go up and down. What I found helped was to drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar mixed into water first thing in the morning and it gets rid of sticking out part of tummy. If it applies to you just take a pregnancy test or any major symptoms reach out to a doctor

[ThisIsUsRRR]

Thanks for all your replies, it seems a lifetime ago! I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I did see my GP and she said I seemed ok. And it did eventually appear to go down by itself 👍 Hope you’re all well