Sagging belly after pregnancy? What you can do to get rid of it again

Definition: What is a pot belly?

During pregnancy, the tissue on a woman’s stomach is stretched considerably within a short period of time. This can result in stretch marks and excess skin. At the same time, the body sets new priorities. It stores fat in order to provide the baby and the mother with the best possible care and completely changes the hormone balance.

All of this is intended by nature and makes sense for a healthy pregnancy. What’s more, a lot of it will disappear on its own after the birth of the child. Others can be trained away with targeted exercises.

But sometimes fat deposits simply won’t disappear despite intensive exercise. Or the excess skin remains as sagging, wrinkled flaps of skin and the stretch marks are often stubborn. In these cases, we speak of a sagging belly after pregnancy.

Causes of a fat apron: How the abdomen changes after pregnancy and childbirth

It is almost impossible to predict in advance whether a fat apron will develop after pregnancy. In most cases, various causes come together that lead to the undesirable appearance after the birth.

• Stretching of the skin and weight gain
  The baby grows particularly quickly in the mother’s belly at the end of pregnancy. This stretches the abdominal skin considerably, which affects the elasticity of the skin. Depending on the size and weight of the child, the skin is subjected to greater or lesser strain. There are also other factors affecting the mother, such as her stature, weight and diet.

• Excess skin and/or underfat
  If there is a large amount of excess skin during pregnancy, this usually does not disappear completely on its own afterwards. Underfat also often forms in the abdomen, which is particularly stubborn. Both are causes of a bulky-looking belly after giving birth.

• Sagging skin
  If the skin cannot completely recover after the birth, it is usually sagging. Wrinkles often appear around the navel or, in the case of a caesarean section, above the caesarean scar.

• Stretch marks
  It is quite normal for the skin on your stomach to grow during pregnancy. However, if the baby’s growth is faster than that of the skin mantle, the skin may tear internally. This results in the typical, visible tears within the skin – the so-called stretch marks.

• Abdominal muscles
  Even independently of the skin, a bulging belly can occur after pregnancy. The abdominal area is also under a lot of strain internally. The straight abdominal muscles move apart to make room for the growing baby. If they do not retract sufficiently after the birth, a noticeable and visible gap remains between the muscles. This is known as rectus diastasis.

• Belly button
  Excess skin or a deformation of the belly during pregnancy can change the entire navel area. Sometimes the belly button even changes color.

• Changes to the mons pubis, back and waist
  It’s not just the belly that stores new fat. A woman’s entire body changes during pregnancy. The mons pubis, back and waist can also be affected.

What factors promote the formation of a pot belly after pregnancy?

A pot belly can develop after any pregnancy. However, there are factors that favor its formation. These include

• weak connective tissue,
• a higher age of the mother or
• a particularly strong weight gain.

Multiple births also put particular strain on the tissue, as more children require more space and the abdominal skin is therefore more taut. Another factor is repeated pregnancies. Each pregnancy puts new strain on the connective tissue, which makes recovery more difficult.

Can a pot belly be avoided after pregnancy?

There are a few things you can do to prevent a sagging belly after pregnancy.

• Healthy lifestyle
  Both the right diet and moderate exercise help to strengthen the tissue and stabilize the muscles.

• Sport
  Walking and swimming, for example, are ideal sports during pregnancy.

However, restrictive diets and intensive sport are taboo during this time. Always discuss your individual approach with your gynecologist.

What can you do about a pot belly after pregnancy?

If you have already developed a sagging belly after pregnancy, you can take action yourself to get closer to your desired body again.

Postnatal gymnastics after the birth

Immediately after the birth, your body needs time to recover. Possible birth injuries must heal and the natural recovery process begins. After the postpartum period, around 6 to 8 weeks after the birth, you can start with postnatal exercises. To start with, the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles are strengthened with gentle exercises. The deep muscles of the abdomen and back are also trained. This helps you to avoid incorrect posture and supports the regression of your body.

Ask your midwife to show you suitable exercises for postnatal gymnastics or go to a professionally run postnatal course. You can often take your baby with you, get to know other mothers directly and exchange experiences. Or you can use a course without a child for a little baby break and to recharge your batteries.

Tips on the right diet

A balanced diet is always important, especially during pregnancy. If you have developed a pot belly after giving birth, it can also help with its recovery.

As a rule, a healthy diet consists of a high proportion of vitamins and minerals, lots of proteins and healthy fats. Avoid sugar and processed foods. If you also drink enough – around 2 to 3 liters per day – you will give your body everything it needs for a successful recovery.

• Additional tip: Breastfeeding
  If you are able to breastfeed, this is the best nutrition for your baby, especially in the first few months of life. But it also has many benefits for your body. When the baby is born, your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which supports lactation. In addition, milk production consumes many calories, making it easier for you to lose pregnancy kilos.

Surgical treatment method – the tummy tuck

Despite all efforts, it is not always possible to prevent a sagging tummy after pregnancy. If it persists after recovery, even though you exercise sufficiently and eat healthily, then surgery in the form of a tummy tuck is an effective method of getting a flat stomach again.

Depending on the severity, a mini or regular tummy tuck may be the appropriate procedure. At the same time as removing the excess skin between the belly button and pubic mound, stretch marks and stretch marks can also be reduced.

Our experts at CenterPlast will tell you more about tummy tuck techniques and the procedure. Or take a look at our video on the topic of “Pregnancy fat – how does a tummy tuck work after pregnancy?”

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Back to your dream body after pregnancy

Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding affect the entire body of the expectant mother. Even if there is no sagging belly after the birth, other physical changes can lead to dissatisfaction with one’s own body, including great suffering and a massive reduction in quality of life. This is where surgery can bring back your dream figure and give you back the pleasure of your own body.

• Belly button correction
  If the tissue around the belly button no longer takes on its original shape after pregnancy, a belly button correction can help. The excess skin is removed and the surrounding abdominal wall is tightened.

• Liposuction
  It is natural and completely normal for new fat deposits to form during pregnancy. But as soon as the baby is born, many people want to get rid of these fat deposits. This is not always possible, as the body has changed permanently. Liposuction can be used to remove fat deposits from all parts of the body. You will achieve a harmonious body image and your own personal well-being.

• Correction of the caesarean section scar
  High-risk pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, birth complications or simply on request – there are many reasons for a caesarean section. The procedure has already enabled many safe births. Nevertheless, it is a major surgical procedure that can leave unsightly scars. If the healing does not proceed as desired and the scar is crooked, bulging, hardened or overgrown, a correction of the caesarean section scar can significantly improve the appearance.

• Mommy Makeover
  Sometimes individually perceived problem areas come together and reduce the quality of life enormously. In these cases, a combination of several surgical procedures, known as a mommy makeover, can help. Targeted combinations can be used to enlarge, tighten and contour the breasts, stomach, bottom and legs.

Do you suffer from a sagging belly after your pregnancy or are you unhappy with other parts of your body? Our CenterPlast specialists will advise you sensitively and professionally on your individual treatment plan. Make an appointment today to discuss your individual treatment plan.