Is this normal (sorry for pics of my belly!)?

[maybenextyear]

I am in my early 40s and have had several children (youngest now 8). I am 'reasonably slim' - have a BMI that is on the low side of normal for my height and exercise regularly. Would like to lose a few pounds but nothing dramatic. I've been trying to improve my core fitness so I've been doing a 10 minute online core workout everyday for the last 4 weeks. It's a course so the exercises vary- not repeating the same ones everyday. When I stand, my belly is pretty flat, just a small bump that I would like to get rid of.
However when I plank or put stress on my core it makes a really weird shape. Like it all gathers at the front in a big mass of muscle (and admittedly a bit of flab but mainly muscle) the pics don't show it quite as dramatically as it looks in real life. I've never seen this on anyone else and certainly not on any of the instructors I'm watching online
I'm wondering if there is something wrong here - my midwife did mention separation of the stomach muscles after the birth of my first child. I'm wondering if this weird muscle mass is related to damage done during pregnancy or if it's quite common for a woman of my age and I should stop comparing myself to the instructors! I'm also wondering if there are certain exercises I need to avoid / make sure I do to avoid building muscle that protrudes outwards. I don't want to make it worse!
Thanks!

Do you mean when you lean forwards basically? If so, then yes, I think it's normal after having children.

I'm the same age, also slim (similar to you with low end of normal bmi) and I've only had two children but my stomach also goes to the same weird shape as yours when I lean forwards and relax. Perhaps not quite so much but I've only had two children!

It also does this weird thing where if I lean forwards and kind of gather my skin together, it looks like crepe paper.

Mine looks exactly the same when I do a plank. Size 8, two kids (both big babies) and I look like I have a flat tummy when I stand up - but when I plank it's another story!

Mine does the same, I still have a small diastasis that never came fully back together and I assume that’s the cause.

I have four children and mines the same!

Try a shoulder stand!

Are your instructors exercising with bare tummies? Or rather in high waisted leggings?

Ah, thanks all, glad to know I'm not the only one. I shall stop panicking. Good point about what the instructors are wearing - they've all got high wasted leggings on so maybe that helps!

My stomach does this and I've not had any babies! I'm a size 8/10.

A bit little older than you OP, and yeah, if I'm planking or on all fours I get hanging fatty skin (yay!) My muscles don't drop though, so I'd suspect you're right about muscle separation (I've never been pregnant).

Mine is super crepey (yours isn't). Creepy paper (Nandor the Relentless))

Yes, mine does the same. It actually looks less flabby when I gain weight. It’s when I’m slimmer that I notice the loose skin/ flap/ mum tum. Especially when planking, and when sitting slouching.

Your is far mor pleasant than mine I am very very short and had a 10lb6oz baby, even stood up I have a drape of loose skin 😭

Yep mine too. Slightly younger than you. Only had one baby (now 4). Stood up I have a flat tummy. My BMI is 20.4. Very muscular lower body and weedy top half (I’m a cyclist). Also have a strong core. You think this is bad, trying doing this with no bra on 😂😂😂. I’m pretty flat chested, but bending over it looks like I have two socks each with a heavy marble in 😂😂😂 Definitely wasn’t like this pre-pregnancy.

@ThorFull

Yes, mine does the same. It actually looks less flabby when I gain weight. It’s when I’m slimmer that I notice the loose skin/ flap/ mum tum. Especially when planking, and when sitting slouching.

Same. I don't mind this loose skin on my lower belly. It's the only external evidence that I've been pregnant (apart from two kids!) and I'm totally fine with it. This is just as well cos I don't think it's going anywhere!

Yep same - and, delightfully, mine hangs more on one side than the other. Which is a just a joy. But, as PP said, it's a badge of honour really.

Same here. BMI 18.8 and I do lots of core work. Have had two kids and gained/lost a lot of weight each time (I was underweight when I got pregnant).
It's grim but looks fine with gym leggings on.

Have you checked for split muscles? Lie on your back, sit up very slightly and see if you can find the gap. It should be just a finger I think. Any more than that and you need to get them back together before doing any more exercise.

I am not sure what you are describing is just flabby tummy.

Sorry. This isn't normal. If it's separation of muscles, you should have been under the care of a physio post-partum

The rest of the posters sound like they're describing a flabby tummy after having children = normal.

Your photos really aren't, so much so I found it hard to know what I was looking at.

I appreciate Covid complicates matter but can you get a physio appt to discuss further?

www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/postpartum/diastasis-recti-the-postpartum-body-problem-no-one-talks-about/

I think most people have missed this bit of the OP

However when I plank or put stress on my core it makes a really weird shape. Like it all gathers at the front in a big mass of muscle

And I really would be concerned about doing core exercises, planks etc under these conditions. I do a lot of exercise, with core involved & the technique is the most important part. You could actually be doing more damage here.

Please discuss with a physio before proceeding.

@ThePricklySheep

I think most people have missed this bit of the OP

However when I plank or put stress on my core it makes a really weird shape. Like it all gathers at the front in a big mass of muscle

Yes, absolutely.

I also revisited the photos & worked out which way up. The 2nd one in particular is not at all 'normal' (putting that in quotes as not being mean).

As a few others have said this looks like classic diastasis recti (muscle separation). Whilst it’s fairly common after pregnancy, it is not normal and should really be looked at. I’ve been told it can lead to problems with pelvic floor and back.

You shouldn’t do any exercise that causes doming of the abdomen and puts pressure on that area. It can make it worse. I only have a small gap now but still avoid planks, press ups, burpees, and some abs work like leg drops. I seem to be ok with crunches as long as they are just upper abs and don’t try lower abs as well.

You need to work on exercises that will help close the gap, not your standard core stuff. A good women’s health physio would be ideal but there are also lots of videos on YouTube.

Yep mine also looks that. Size 8/10, two children. Look great standing up, certain yoga poses are a different story

Mine does that. I'm a size 8-10 but had a massive bump in pregancy 1 from a 26" waist to 43", polished off with a EMCS. Crepe skin, slight diastasis of 1 finger which is normal.range. i don't think it's going anywhere by natural means after a decade, and I CBA to go through the expense and upheaval of surgery, so it's high waistlines and clever dressing.

Ah. Thank you for all your messages, it's good to know I'm not the only one but have just come back to this thread and seen some comments that maybe it isn't normal. I've also realised perhaps my pictures aren't clear. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Both of those original pictures are taken whilst I plank, the first one is a shot from below whilst planking, the second from the side. For reference, this is what I look like stood up.
I think maybe I might need to stop doing some of the exercise that I am, I feel like I'm building muscle outwards. I'll look into it. Thank you for all the comments so far x