Swimwear for diastasis recti

[Sarah62]

Really need help hiding my big tummy at the swimming pool this summer. My children are desperate to go to the pool but I’m really self conscious about taking them.

Is there any brand of swimwear that would be good to hold in my tummy (diastasis recti with split stomach muscles). I’ve got a nice cover up top thing for walking to the pool but I’m looking for something for when I’m actually swimming as ‘swimming’ with a toddler usually means standing in the splash pad a lot of the time so my body will be out of the water most of the time :(

Should say I’m a size 10/12 and also quite pear shaped :(

Thanks!

Tu in sainsbury's have some swimwear that is more like a dress.

I'd go for a mic n match tankini - big black pants which will hold you in and then a pretty top. There are lots which have an over layer of fabric/ frills / ruchingif you want something that doesn't cling

Thanks. Do you think that would really cover everything? Im not sure? I think I’m just going to look overweight/pregnant in any kind of ‘normal’ swimwear I’m just really paranoid about it to the point I’m considering not going at all (but then I’d feel bad that the kids would miss out so I do want to try)

Is there such a thing as control pants in swimwear??

thanks

I get these
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013QJZYOI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_XDEDJGGPC7AMF97WENKZ?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Sports direct have them too.

Or lidl have long tops and leggings just now for swimming that are 5.99 each. Warmer and less risk of burning.

www.marksandspencer.com/tummy-control-multiway-bandeau-swimsuit/p/clp60488290?color=NAVY
You can definitely get shapewear for swimming but I hate how tight it is.

I am in the same position! I will absolutely be swimming but hate people thinking I’m pregnant when I’m not, so it does make me feel insecure. Need to have a cocktail in my hand to show I’m not pregnant 😂

Thanks I’m definitely going to look at the M and S one in particular, that’s really helpful.

It’s tricky anyway but not being able to try anything on in the shops either is just a minefield!

I think the blouson ones look like they would be good at hiding it.

I have a fab swimsuit I actually feel attractive in (I'm size 22): www.brastop.com/products/curvy-kate-paradise-palm-padded-plunge-swimsuit-palm-print

It's really flattering, and holds my boobs in place when swimming. Have a look through the website, they have some great designs.

And yes, control swimsuits are a thing.

I buy the one recommended by @SuperLoudPoppingAction pretty much every time I need a new swimsuit. They are exactly what I need for my tummy. Asda has in the past done a very similar one for around £10-12 which I think is better, as it has more hold to it.

Actually it is the tummy control ruched swimsuit from M&S that I buy, not the bandeau one linked to upthread, sorry. It is only available in black on the M&S site.

Sainsburys has some nice control swimsuits. I've had more expensive ones from Boden and they're not great.

I think the blouson type things just make it look like you're trying to hide something. I'm bigger than you and also have DR, I have learnt to quite frankly, not give a fu k what other people think!

There's a few options on here. modli.co/gl/swimwear.html

I got a black speedo costume with built in tummy control. It's actually awesome and I'm a 16 - 18.
I also had the same problem. My dc2 is now 19 months old. 6 weeks ago I started with a personal trainer at the gym once a week (I do the exercises myself in between). He has changed my life. I can feel my tummy muscles now and you can actually see my tummy move now when I try to move it.
Last week I sat up on the floor from lying down without using my hands. I never, ever thought that would ever happen again.
As a sidenote, it's utterly shameful that women are left with these injuries and expected to just get on with it.

Thanks everyone I’ll have a good look through. I feel a bit better already :)

@JimLaheysWhiskeyBottle I agree, awful isn’t it. I mentioned it to my doctor once and they basically said ‘tough luck’....never went back now due to covid etc... just wondering what type of things do you do in the gym or how did you go about getting help? In the past I’ve contacted a couple of Pilates teachers and gym instructors but they’ve all said they aren’t qualified to deal with postpartum and their classes wouldn’t be suitable. I was wondering if I needed to look at a physio instead? Or what type of thing did you look for at the gym? Thanks

You don’t say where you are based, but here’s a London physio who can help with this issue - there were others on Google in other parts of the country too but I thought this might be a helpful reference point: www.londonwomenscentre.co.uk/the-team/physiotherapists

I think it’s bloody disgraceful that we’re just left to get on with it - you can bet your life that a man going to his GP with a similar issue wouldn’t be told tough luck!

The last time I look at the M&S swimsuits the majority were 'tummy control' so it's definitely worth looking at their website.

I would also say though, please don't worry about 'what you look like'. I swim regularly, honestly no one is going to look at you, and once you are in the water you are effectively 'invisible' in terms of body shape anyway. Please don't let it stop you swimming, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Don’t know how severe yours is, mine looked like the alien was going to burst out of my domed abs if I attempted sit-ups and I could comfortably fit several fingers in the gap. I fixed mine by googling what I should and shouldn’t do. I made sure that I basically attempted to pull my belly button back to my spine all the time whatever I was doing. Took a lot of concentration and it’s amazing how easy it is to relax and let it all hang. It took several months but eventually it all tightened in again and I can now do normal sit ups without anything poking out.

Great advice thanks everyone

What is your budget like? Norma Kamali suits are a bit more expensive but they are honestly the most flattering things.
Also second PP on the exercises. I am 6 months postpartum from my second baby and have closed my diastasis to 1.5 fingers doing mutu. I think they say you can still do the program years after so might be worth having a look?

Thank you! Yeah I was going to say the same thing. I’m sure if I had a bad knee I would get some kind of help, but stomach is cosmetic apparently

Miraclesuit was pretty much made for this.

@Okbutnotgreat thanks and well done! How long did it take to close the gap and how many times a day did you hold in your stomach? Was it literally all the time? I don’t think I’ve got the will power or concentration but I’m willing to give it a go. I try and do a few of these each day but I often forget and I’m not sure I’m doing it right anyway

I once tried on one of the swimsuits with legs. I'm quite chunky so looked like a wrestler, cracked me up in the tiny changing room in the middle of decathlon!

@Redaska

The last time I look at the M&S swimsuits the majority were 'tummy control' so it's definitely worth looking at their website.

I would also say though, please don't worry about 'what you look like'. I swim regularly, honestly no one is going to look at you, and once you are in the water you are effectively 'invisible' in terms of body shape anyway. Please don't let it stop you swimming, I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

Ah I wish I had your confidence!! Mine has all but disappeared lately struggling with many things not just body confidence