To think it’s physically impossible for some women to regain their pre-pregnancy shape?

[HarryHarry]

Did your shape change permanently after pregnancy? I used to be a UK size 10. After I had my baby I lost all the weight (about 30 pounds) quickly but found that I was struggling to fit into some UK size 12 jeans/trousers. I don’t think I am carrying any extra fat - it’s as if my hip bones themselves have expanded. Is that even possible? Is there anything I can do to be thin again? Or am I stuck like this forever? Give me some hope please! I hate dwelling on “trivial” stuff like this when I should just be grateful for my beautiful, healthy baby, but it’s really getting me down. I feel so old and frumpy and I never thought that would happen to me.

On the belly binding, I think people have the wrong idea about what that is. My pregnancy pilates teacher (also a women's health physio) had an interest in diastasis recti, even more so after she suffered one herself.

She recommended belly binding for diastasis sufferers - the belly bandit and SRC post pregnancy shorts were the products people tried.

Her argument was that much of the permanent damage from a diastasis is from poor management in the week's post partum and careless return to exercise that doesn't take the diastasis into consideration. The binding/support should not be used long term, but as a core support to give the muscles a chance in the early days, supported as soon as physically recommended by a specialised exercise program (with no crunches ever).

And another class member (herself a pilates teacher) tried the SRC shorts and and had good results.

IsabellaLinton Have you discussed it with your doctor? How it is making you feel? Perhaps something could be done to improve it? If you dont get a sympathetic doctor try another. Some women do get help with surgery on the nhs.

That's interesting BadTigerKitty and this is the idea that modern women are using.

I have to say 20 years of putting up with a bulging belly when I look back I am both upset and shocked that no one gave me decent advice about Diastasis Recti and what excercises to avoid. Neither the midwife, nor the doctor, not that 'Birth till 5' book mentioned it at all.

So no advice on ways to improve or heal it or prevent it getting worse.

Yet it affects so many women. Is it better now I wonder?.

I really think maternal care still has a fair ways to improve.

My ribs are definitely bigger. I weigh the same as i did pre pregnancy just about but my ribs have definitely moved.

badtiger the problem is that most people (including cultures that do it traditionally) do it to look slim again rather than for health reasons so wear the binds for far longer than is healthy.

There is very little good information out there about this practice.

I'm lighter and smaller than pre preg but rib cage has definitely expanded and hasn't gone back 3 years on...although I am slim my flesh is much softer now...and a lot more squishy! 😭

32 years on from the birth of my twins I am still embarassed to go to a swimming pool, A combination of large babies (16lb together) and a ceaser scar, have left me with very loose skin, a very baggy pouch like belly.
I had two slightly older DC's and didn't think I'd done too badly getting back into some sort of shape, until the twin pregnancy, I couldn't even "suck in " my stomach until they were 4!

Everything changed for me, I expanded in every way possible. My ribs and upper back expanded so I now have a fairly masculine barrel shaped upper trunk. From late pregnancy my wedding ring didn't fit and I have never been able to get it last the first joint of my finger. My feet went up by 3 sizes. For fairly obvious reasons I am not a good pregnancy advert!