My baby is 9 months old and I still have a belly that looks like I am 6 months (no exaggeration) pregnant - by the end of the day. My stomach muscles separated during the pregnancy. Have had an ultrasound and they are 4cm apart when relaxed and 1cm apart when tensed. Gp has referred me to a specialist at my local hospital, but of course I am on the waiting list and it will be months!
First thing in the morning it looks OK, but as soon as I eat a big meal or drink a bottle of water it explodes. It's really bothering me cause I have now had 2 people ask me if I am pregnant.
I am super fit. I train around 6 hours a week, and compete in triathlons. So I know it's not diet or exercise related. I am even a lighter weight than I was before I was pregnant. It's not flabby either, it's actually quite hard. I would love to know if anyone else has come across this, and maybe has some answers for me. I work my arse off and it's extremely upsetting having people asking me if I'm pregnant!
Have attached an image... It's only 3pm, so keep in mind, it gets bigger than this!
:-( I'm sorry I don't know what would be the cause of your muscles not returning, particulalry how fit you are - you can tell from the photo of the other parts of your body. I know my gf has a similar issue but she is not fit like you. I hope you get some answers soon.
Have you been doing any particular exercises to try and resolve the stomach muscle separation?
I had 5-6cm after DS, and was referred to hospital physio, then got the separation back to about 2.5 before being discharged by hospital physio. Since then I have started reformer Pilates and I think is really helping, I have a little flab on the front but behind I can feel it is coming back into shape.
I would go see a physio, see if you can get a recommendation for one specializes in post pregnancy issues and get their opinion on whether their are specific exercises you can do to help, at least till you get to see the specialist (I believe sometimes surgery is the only option).
I had bad separation of my stomach muscles after DS2. When the physio checked them before leaving the hospital they felt as though they were 1cm a part, but I kept feeling a bulging sensation & my stomach popping out when I sat up. The physio found that the top was together but deeper down they were still 4cm a part she advised to start from scratch no sit ups as this will push them further apart and to get up out of bed by rolling onto your side to rest the stomach muscles. I can't remember the exact excercises I will see if I can find them it's been a while DS2 is 18mths. I was given a ligature/pressure bandage to wear ie like what you wear on your knee or arm to apply pressure this held everything in and gave my stomach muscles some added support. I saw it recently in one of the boys clothes boxes I was sorting through. Could you get into to see a private physio just as a once off to get some advice? I was about 8 weeks post natal when I had these issues. Please be careful because from memory it can lead to organs pushing up & getting caught when they do knit back together. If you would like the ligature/pressure bandage I will have a look for you... 11 boxes later lol. I got it free on my first session so it's yours for the same cost PM me your details if you want me to find it out for you. Not exactly sure which box as I was sorting the clothes out for selling, giving away & donating.
Thanks so much for your replies. I was given some exercises in hospital and did them for a while, a month or two I think. can only remember one of them, do will do that one at least, and will check our that website thanks!!
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Fat belly STILL
PM me your details if you want me to find it out for you. Not exactly sure which box as I was sorting the clothes out for selling, giving away & donating.
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