c section 5 years ago and my stomach still looks like a pregnant belly

[Kellydeans25]

I really need some advice 5 years ago I had my son via c section and my stomach has never fully gone it is still in the same shape as I was when I was pregnant obviously it’s smaller but I defiantly still look pregnant. I have tried exercise and diets but nothing works it’s driving me mad, I’m on 5’2 which dosent really help. I really would recommend some advice
thanls Guys

It's probably diastasis recti. I would recommend you visit a women's physio for a check up and advice.

Diastasis recti is likely. You need to consult a competent physical therapist that specializes in this. Worst case scenario is a surgical repair. See your GP first to confirm diagnosis and rule out other issues, ie hernia.

I didn't have a c-section and my tummy is a bit rounded. Separation of the abdominal muscles.

As pp have said most likely diastasis recti. I have this. No c sections just separated muscles. I'd reccomend katina oakleys youtube page for some exercises I have managed to stabilise mine but it's exercises I certainly have to do for life every day otherwise its very easily undone. For me I'm going to save up for surgery as I'm having so many knock on issues from it. I believe it should be on the NHS but it's seen as cosmetic and not important. As most womens health is seen unfortunately.

Thankyou everyone for your advice I will book a gp appointment then hopefully I’ll be able to get it sorted

I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this – it’s incredibly frustrating, especially when it’s been so long and you feel like you’ve ‘tried everything’.

I agree with the comments above that it’s worth being checked by a women’s health physio if you haven’t already, particularly to assess for diastasis recti and how your core is functioning post c-section. A lot of us are told to just ‘exercise more’, when actually the issue is how the deep core is working rather than effort or willpower.

From my own experience, generic workouts and diets didn’t touch this at all. What helped was very targeted, gentle core work focused on reconnecting and rebuilding from the inside out and understanding what not to do as much as what to do.

Even years on, progress is possible, but it tends to be slower and more specific than we expect. You’re definitely not alone in this, and it’s not a personal failure.