Women who become pregnant can expect that there will be a certain amount of change to their abdominal region after delivery. After all, there has been a great deal of stretching of the abdominal muscles and tissue to accommodate the growing fetus. A good obstetrician will guide the new mother to get back on track with an exercise and diet program to help get her body back to its pre-pregnancy shape and size. However, some women may find that they still retain a distended shape to the abdomen. This can be confusing and disheartening for women looking to get back to their pre-pregnancy body shape.

What can be done when a woman still looks as though she is pregnant even after delivery, despite her best efforts to tighten up her abdominal muscles? Dr. Paul Pin has seen many women come to him for consultation regarding possible cosmetic surgical treatment for extreme instances of this condition, known as diastasis recti. What causes this condition, and what are the best treatment options?

What Causes Diastasis Recti?

During pregnancy, your body starts producing hormones that help prepare it for the growing fetus. Some of these hormones help the connective tissue (called the linea alba) between your right and left abdominal muscles to thin and expand in order to make room for the expanding uterus. Once you have delivered your child, your body stops producing these hormones and the linea alba should shrink over the course of about six to eight weeks, causing your abdominal muscles to move closer toward each other again. However, there are cases in which the linea alba does not shrink, which leaves you with the stomach pooch that is the distinctive sign of diastasis recti.

If you have had more than one child, are carrying multiple children, are petite, become pregnant later in life, or have poor abdominal core strength, you will be at greater risk of developing diastasis recti following pregnancy. Your odds will increase with each successive pregnancy. The best way to prevent or minimize your chances of developing diastasis recti is to start strengthening your core before becoming pregnant. Yoga or Pilates exercises that focus on the core will build up your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, which will provide support so they do not become over-stretched during pregnancy.

The Tummy Tuck Procedure

In severe cases of diastasis recti, Dr. Pin will recommend a tummy tuck procedure. This will remove excess loose skin and underlying tissue, but also tighten up the right and left abdominal muscles. Dr. Pin will make a horizontal incision from one hipbone across to the other, as well as another around the navel. He will then lift up the skin and tissue, tighten up the abdominal muscles, remove excess tissue and skin, and then suture the remainder into place.

Dr. Pin recommends this procedure be done once you have determined that you do not wish to have more children. Obviously, if you do become pregnant again, the cycle of hormones to thin out the linea alba will start again, which will undo the purpose of the tummy tuck procedure.

Although becoming a mother can be rewarding, there is always a certain amount of frustration associated with trying to get back into shape. Fortunately, a tummy tuck procedure can help boost your confidence and get you back to focusing on enjoying your new role as a mom.