Ugh .... my stomach!

[Millie1]

Oh heck ... I love my winter woollies! They're wonderful at disguising a belly which looks about 16w pregnant despite it being 2 years since DT's were born . How do I disguise it - please!!!!! I think I look worse because I'm fairly skinny - 5'7", size 8 bordering on a 10, and have recently gone from 8st 3lb to 8st 8lb ... but my stomach is waaaaay out of proportion. Problem is my split (ie. unzipped!) umblicius rectus muscle (is that what you call it??) so everything sags.

Okay .... advice please. I'm going clothes, shoe and makeup shopping tomorrow - what do I buy, what do I stay away from? Don't particularly want to do the tunic-top look as they just look too smocky on me.

Thanks

Millie1 no advice as yet but I totally feel your pain I'm 5'8" size 8-10 and 9 stone and have 2 dc a 3.5 yr old and 7 mo baby. Despite having skinny legs, bum, face, etc. I have this weird protruding pad of fat on my belly and I cannot get rid of it.

I look about 5 months pg and it's really getting me down. I have been dieting and exercising every other day ofr 5 weeks to no avail and it's becoming an obsession. Am so pissed off!! Can you tell me more about that muscle thing? How do you know it's happened? And what can be done about it? Will have a tummy tuck if it's the only option!

Re clothes agree re smock tops not good. No other advice though, this is someone who gets changed 5+ times a dya because of gut overhang and being so self-conscious about it

It's depressing, isn't it. The muscle is the one which runs from your belly button down to your pelvic bone. If I lie on my back I can put my fingers between it and my stomach domes up. I've had 3 sections (2 x DSs and then DTs) and it happened on my third pregnancy - Ob pointed it out. As far as I understnd, exercise does little for this particular problem (hence I don't bother ) and it's surgery to 'zip' it up again - although not a tummy tuck as it's not actually fat but imagine there is a zip up the middle of your tummy and it's open so there's not support there to hold all in. Sorry, not a great description!

I do find higher waisted trousers/jeans best and I don't do baggy t-shirts/tops. Maybe I'm just noticing it more because of wearing t-shirts this week (finer fabric etc) but also I have put on a few pounds (obviously around my middle!).

Maybe we should wear it with pride!!

hold you in pants will make it look much better

I have similar prob.

I wear skinnies/tight trousers/short skirt+tights to show off the good bits + a loose fitting top that comes to just above hip length. If you can find a loose fitting top that has a tight/elastic bottom hem then that its even more flattering as it makes it look like the tummy bulge is just loose material.

Other trick I use is to wear a long (to thighs) tight top underneath and then a shorter looser t-shirt/vest on the top. If you can't find a long tight top then a jersey boob-tube-type-top pulled down works (and as you have anther t-shirt on top, no one will know!)

Dark coloured T-shirt dresses with a light cardi.

HTH

re the muscles thing You need to see Julie Tupler Website:

www.maternalfitness.com/diastasis.html

www.fitpregnancy.com/general/40871562.html?pag e=1 - follow through the links to see how to get up from bed properly to avoid making the diastasis any larger

I am 7 weeks post emcs and I have an 8 finger width diastasis. I have been following the exercises shown on her website for 2 weeks and my physio saw a reduction in the diastasis. I had an extra large bump from early on and my baby was 10lbs 1oz.
Also she says it works no matter how long ago you had a baby. HTH

I have a similar problem - 14mo DD, diastasis AND one large fibroid the size of a 20 week pregnancy . Much of the time it kind of looks OK, but tbh, from ovulation time until I get my period it seems to pop out and looks huge, just like I'm pregnant. I hate it and it's starting to get me down, as I just can't seem to find clothes to hide it (not surprising I guess). The rest of me is reasonable slim sz10, so it's really obvious.

But I could really do with some ideas for where to start - it's getting too hot to go with the hooded jumper which was my mainstay over winter

bump [oh the irony]

I have same prob.

That exercise really does work but you have to keep doing it Which is why mine is still sticking out. It does work quickly though.

I'm not sure the difference between mine and someone who needs surgery. Noone ever said anything about mine, but my SIL's sister had zip-up operation and tummy tuck on the NHS. That was after twins and a single PG.

you poor girls, i dont have the separated muscles but i have always suffered disproportionately large belly due to other health issues

some good tips here already, can i add a really good one for the summer - A line skirts. Get ones that sit right on your waist (not slung low on hips with belly overhanging!) and pref with wide waistband to help hold everything at bay. I have found Boden to be the best for these over the years, esp as you really need a good thick cotton fabric with some structure to it, as opposed to flimsy cotton that with one breath of breeze cling to your belly.

the A line skims right over belly. dont make mistake of then wearing big baggy top over it, wear a close fitting t shirt or top and you will have a lovely defined waist, belly in disguise, wear with wedges for lovely legs and there you go.

personally i steer clear of all trousers including jeans. i live in dresses, so much more comfortable not to have a waistband reminding me all day of my big belly. I do have one pair of Seven jeans which are relatively high on the waist, and a pair of Next jeggings which are very high-waisted and i wear with longer tops - but dont wear anything smock like or tunic like unless completely straight and quite fitted - anything remotely empire will look maternity on us.

hth a bit.

I've looked pregnant ever since DS was born, and that was 2.5 years ago, arghh...

My tactic is to avoid:-

• smocks/loose tunics
• anything stretchy
• anything clingy.

I do what plimsolls does and also look out for structured loose tops. For example:-

www.kew-online.com/fcp/product/womens-clothing/NEW/Linen-Twist-Neck-Top/99901645?colour=cream

It means I have to iron but I can't do t-shirts in summer anymore unless they're v thick material.

But I bought this t-shirt (cut the shoulder pads out tho, too much):-

www.frenchconnection.com/product/Woman+New+In+Tops/76XG3/Delicious+Drape+Top.htm

It's v flattering as it's got 2 layers, the under layer is tight and holds you in and the top one drapes loosely. ££ for a t-shirt but my options feel limited.

Just noticed it's hand wash only but mine's been through the machine several times already and is fine.

I have the same problem re diatasis.

I made a New Years resolution to start Pilates to try and get it from 2 finger widths down and I am really pleased to say it is now about a half-finger or finger-tip gap so a huge improvement for the muscle. That has taken four months of going 1 or 2 times per week.

Unfortunately I still have the pad of fat which sits on top of it but my tummy no longer domes up if I lie down from sitting up. I realise I need to actually burn fat to get rid of this.

Anyway, back to shopping. Have seen very nice tops at Zara, have you tried there?

And this from White Stuff:-

www.whitestuff.com/POPPY-SHIRT-P27192/

Excellent A-line skirts for £12 at M&S in heavy chino/cotton fabric in many colours.

here

And this from Warehouse, which I wear with skinnies and a white vest underneath.

www.warehouse.co.uk//-/fcp-product/300202

Any other tips for anything similar?

My physio has just said I should start pilates too, am encouraged to hear it worked for FanJ.

Pintuck top which flares out a bit over the tum?

looks nice

Goodness ... haven't been back in days

Indigo ... that looks a great website - are tthere exercises on there or do I need to buy the DVD? Can't seem to find any - but that's probably me not looking properly!

I loooove the tops from Kew (looked at something v. similiar in Jigsaw the other day) and French Connection. Went shopping on Sat and spent far too much in Comptoir des Cotonniers (or however you spell it!) - lovely cashmere cardy, inky blue top - scoop neck, quite fitted but sits really nicely and pumps - got 30% off most of it.

Am so in the mood for shopping now!

Did work but after the first class I ached from my lower abs all the way up to my ribs and was in agony for about four days!!!

I really really enjoy going now. Plus the lovely instructor plays lots of Norah Jones and Katie Melua and it's a lovely child-free way to spend 45 mins.

The Oasis top has my name on it if it comes in any other colour than raspberry. Will check.

Patsy

grey the dress is grey is lovely

It's completely me! Thanks.

Patsy - would you wear it as is or with leggings or summat?

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone - I find it really useful to have links to examples, so thanks - lots to think about...

grey dress is gorgeous.

Fanj - I'd wear over jeggings. I got an explosion of thread veins on both calves when I was pregnant (will the indignity never end) and I'm too self conscious to go bare-legged now other than on the beach. When we've finished with babies I'm going to get my veins sorted.