I want nothing more than to answer your questions, honestly and openly. I have over 15 years of experience helping Moms like you through their pregnancy and postpartum journeys and have two boys myself (now ages 2 and 4), so I get it.
I get everything you are going through and I will try to help you find the answers you are looking for.
Here is just one of the many questions I get asked every week. And it’s been one of mine many times, so read my answer and contact me about anything related to #diastasis #bellybulge #mummytummy
My Belly Is Bulging Three Months After Giving Birth
Question of a Mama 3 months postpartum
I am 3 months PP and I am struggling with a big belly bulge. Before pregnancy I had a very flat tummy with toned abs. I want to understand if this is a symptom of diastasis recti and if it will heal. I don’t feel like I’ve gotten straight answers up to this point.
Kerryn replied
First, congratulations on your baby! I know it’s been months now since they were born, but my girl, you’re still in those early months postpartum. Everything is still very new. For you, your baby and your body as it heals.
How’s your sleep and the hustle and bustle of motherhood going so far? This is a question that requires an honest answer.
Because if you’re comparing what you looked like before you were pregnant to this baby that’s now in your arms, waking you up in the middle of the night and demanding so much of your time and energy.. you can’t.
It has no comparison.
Your life is completely different and the demands on you now are greater than ever.
Lack of sleep and the extreme stress of caring for a dependent take a toll on your entire body.
Your hormones are still running around and haven’t found a balance yet, you’re up all night, your day consists of everything your baby needs.
BUT it’s been three months since you gave birth, so it feels like a lifetime, and you’re SO ready to get your body back.
Nine months is a long period of progressive growth in pregnancy.
What this ending tells you NOTHING here at three months postpartum, is that it takes a decent chunk of time to get everything back in place.
Your matrix finally back to pre-pregnancy size, but you have a weak core that surrounds your uterus (and all your pelvic organs).
Do you notice that your stomach sticks out more at the end of the day?
Diastasis Recti is a weakening of the connective tissue that holds your rectus abdominis (six pack muscle) together.
The thing is, it’s more than just about the gap. It’s also about the depth your fingers go through, watch this video for more on this.
Simple and Home Check for Diastasis Recti
Here are some questions to ask:
1. Have you seen a women’s health physiotherapist?
2. Have you ever been told you have diastasis recti?
3. What exercises have you been doing so far since your baby was born?
4. Do you walk almost every day?
There are so many questions to ask, and so many variables at play.
I’m here to help.
My Core Rehab program that I see you start with briefly, is designed to guide you step by step.
There is no hard and fast postpartum trick. It doesn’t work that way. And anyone who sells you something that works fast is:
1. Not taking into account everything that mothering a new baby entails with sleep, stress and needs
2. They sell you, take your money, break you into a month of exercises that may, at the other end, leave you worse about your pelvic floor, your back and your mummy tummy.
I can say all this because I have been in this field for a long time.
I’ve had two babies myself and my youngest is almost two, and if I’m honest – I’ve only really felt it all now.
To read that at three months postpartum I know it sounds scary, but at five months postpartum when I first felt on top of the world.
At three months postpartum, I still have a mummy tummy. I just started losing hair in big chunks (as your estrogen levels drop and your hair follicles go into their resting/shedding phase.
During pregnancy, your estrogen increases, the growing phase of your hair is lengthened, so you have beautiful luxurious locks of hair during pregnancy.)
I also had a very flat stomach before kids and I know what it’s like to have the desire to get it back.
It’s so deceiving with all the social media and advertisements selling you ‘bounce back’. But I work with so many women who do the hard yards on all the ‘bounce back’ gimmicks.
And then came to me a year postpartum with pelvic organ prolapse because they struggled too much with ab exercises without proper technique or progressive programming.
A flatter tummy will come, it’s about posture, back care, pelvic floor, glute strength and working the whole body from the inside out.
I know this is a long answer to your – what seems like a simple question – but there are complexities here. There are variables.
Just know that I’m here for you. Feel free to ask me any other questions that arise from all of what I wrote!
If reading this article prompted questions, I’m here to help answer them! You can use our contact us page to ask me anything.
