HWN Suggests

The post-pregnancy belly problem that nobody tells women about

After Jenna Angst gave birth to her second child, she noticed that her midsection didn’t look right. “I was frustrated that my stomach looked so pudgy, even after I got back to my normal weight,” Angst, 37, says. So she asked her OB-GYN in Atlanta to take a look. The doctor brushed her off, telling her it was purely aesthetic.

But Angst wondered if it might be something she’d heard about in a yoga class once that went by the name of “mom pooch,” “mummy tummy,” or “baby belly.” So she went to doctors, specialists, and physical therapists in search of an answer. Finally, one told her that, yes, she had diastasis recti, a condition where the abdominal muscles separate so much that the…

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Featured

 Getting To The Core Of Exercises Said To Strengthen 'Mum Tum'

In general, though, most readers and listeners have been excited about the potential to strengthen their abdominal muscles and fix their "pooch." They've asked for more information — more about diastasis recti, more about exercises that could help, and more about postnatal care in general.

Articles of Interest

Bigger Postpartum Challenges Than Just Baby Weight

Pregnancy and labor cause significant strain on muscle and bone structures. Some research shows that stretched, weakened or torn muscles and misaligned bones may seem simply annoying at first, but can develop into debilitating disorders years or decades later.

Diastasis recti & POP

However, research has failed to support the idea that DRA and POP have a causative relationship. In fact, a prospective, blinded study by Kari Bø et al. (2016) found no association between DRA & POP: following pregnancy, there was no significant difference between rates of urinary incontinence or prolapse between the DRA and non-DRA groups.

Diastasis Recti & The Tuple Technique, with Julie Tupler

In the process of working with pregnant women and new moms I discovered the condition called Diastasis Recti and saw the effects it had on pregnant women and new moms and started my journey in developing the Tupler Technique® to treat diastasis recti without surgery.

Diastasis Recti: The Postpartum Body Problem No One Talks About

If your tummy still looks pregnant months after delivery, diastasis recti might be to blame. We've got the facts about this common postpartum condition.

Flattening The 'Mummy Tummy' With 1 Exercise, 10 Minutes A Day

I admit it. I have a "mummy tummy," also known as "mommy pooch." You know, that soft jelly belly you retain after having a baby — it makes you look a few months pregnant.

Here’s Why You Should Work Out Even During Pregnancy

Diaphragmatic breathing: "Being able to access your deep core muscles is crucial during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum recovery," says Annette Lang, an NYC-based certified personal trainer. "It helps minimize the strain against the abdominal wall and diastasis recti, soothes backache and helps push the baby out with less stress and strain," she adds.

Postpartum Body Changes You Should Know About

From separated abs to pelvic floor issues, what to look out for after having a baby.

Why Diastasis Recti Happens Postpartum—and What You Can Do to Fix It

Ab separation is a common condition following pregnancy. Here’s how to return to running safely.

Resources

Mommy Strong

MommaStrong’s mission is to Empower Mommas with Strength From the Inside Out, and this mission is central to our work in diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

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