Mum tum but it’s extreme

[Pickle50]

Hi everyone

I’m 6 weeks pp with my second. After my first I kept a little mum tum and went up a dress size but looked pretty much the same. This time my stomach is still huge. My arms, legs etc… are all fine but my stomach and hips are so big. I’ve measured and I’m the same size I was 5 months pregnant. Is this normal?

I was a size 12-14 but I can only do a size 18 up now over my tummy but then the legs etc…are really baggy. I am an older mum (39) so know things take time but when I look online it says tummy’s should reduce by half at 6 week pp.

Has anyone had the same? Is this normal?

Thank you

Have you checked to see if there is a gap in between the stomach muscles (diastasis Recti)? I had this with my second and it went with some women’s health physio

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/your-post-pregnancy-body/

@Pickle50 I had the same after my twins (3rd and 4th babies) I had gained 5 stone during the pregnancy but by the time they were 12 weeks old I was back to a size 8, but my stomach measurement was a size 16, my stomach muscles were very separated. It was affecting my hips/back and the thinner I got the more odd it appeared, I looked 6 months pregnant still. I had a tummy tuck when they were 10 months old.

6 weeks is still early, I tried a PT first who specialised in exercises to try to help the muscles rejoin, maybe see how it is when you get back to your pre pregnancy weight. I sympathise it's hard.

Oh that’s really helpful. I’ve had a feel and there is big gap but not sure how well I’m doing it. I have booked a mummy MOT for when I’m 10 weeks pp so they might be able to advise.

it’s such a big change isn’t it? My body doesn’t feel like mine at all.

thank you for responding :)