My stomach is a different shape after baby 2

[Anonymous]

My second is now almost 18 months old and I'm long past breast feeding - so my body is settled back in pretty much to where its going to stay. The first baby did not seem to hurt my figure at all, it bounced back. The second though has changed the shape of my torso it seems. I do have a few more pounds then I used to although I'm not overweight - but this is different then weight - where my lower stomach used to be the bottom of an oval it now seems to be the bottom of a square and there are pouches at either corner. I've begun to exercise again and things are firming up but they are not changing the shape and not eliminating these pouches. I'm 42 by the way if that's relevant - perhaps it is. Any one have a similar experience? Is there anything (short of surgery) which can help? Its disappointing as I've always been fit and after the first child hadn't expected this. TIA

[Anonymous]

Are your ab muscles split? When you lie on your back and pull up to a sit up does your stomach sort of separate with a thin long bulge in the middle? If so, your abdominals have split. Happened to me. Be careful about how you exercise so you dont make it worse! I think the only "cure" is surgery. Or you just build up your abs elsewhere and wear Spanx!

[Anonymous]

Do you have good eating habits?

Either way, just keep in mind that (most) women's metabolism usually nose-dives between 34-37 and, of course, baby weight isn't any more encouraging.

Just something to think about because you may have to work harder at eating better and exercising more simply because of the body's aging biology.

[Anonymous]

It was baby #3 that gave me abdominal diastasis. The book Lose Your Mummy Tummy helped. Also, there's an ab machine at my gym that has been great. It's a very small crunch movement. The trouble is if I stop exercising my muscles fall apart again very quickly. My midwife told me that is just the way it is with this problem