Triangle Belly When Flexing Abs -- What Does it Mean?

WorldLillie

Is anyone else getting a crazy triangle shape when they flex their ab muscles (like to get out of a couch)? It looks like this: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2013/11/03/funny-pregnant-triangle/ . Does this mean that my abs HAVE split, or haven't split?? Freaky! 

WorldLillie

Sigh... Responses from this question on Twitter suggest this triangle means my abs ARE split. Bummer! I'll have to look into how to heal them. 

F47

Hmm...I think mine have looked like that a time or two as well. I'm scared to try and recreate it right now. haha. But I really hope mine aren't split. Wouldn't that be something that's painful??? If so, I haven't experienced any pain...

Meery82

I had that happen when I was pregnant, although it wasn't quite as pronounced. My abdominal muscle are fine now.

WorldLillie

Mine's sort of achy, not like "ripping pain" I guess. @Meery82, glad to hear your report. And your apple butter picture is funny

WorldLillie

Argh-- Although... Now that I flexed it a bunch of times to take photos to document it, now it's reaaally aching and I feel nauseous. Maybe I'm just getting freaked out from the idea of my abs being ripped and what it might take to repair them! 

*fpunkfiona*

mine does that. I'm pretty sure it's because the muscles are separated.

nolagal79

Ugh - I just noticed mine doing this yesterday - and it's completely grossing me out.

Littlemama01

Mine does that in the tub when I'm leaning back or sitting up...I thought it was normal, lol!!! I have no pain though, I found a picture of the ab muscles on pregnant women and it did show them split and the uterus sticking out the middle which is why I thought it was normal..hmmm now I really wonder

playball13

Mine does that too but I haven't felt anything painful. Oh well.....

mcgeeva

Mine does this I figured it was just my body trying to form around te baby when gripping to get up.

rowanthefrog

Mine does this now and did it with my past pregnancies. Its not a big deal and it will go back to normal. Your organs are just in weird positions now!

A

michellersayer

Mine does it when I get up off a chair or bed or ect.. I always thought it was normal bc I had it with every pregnancy as well as my friends and sister

halfthetree

Yup I have Diastis Recti, got it from my pregnancy with my son. With exercise and training I got it back to a finger width, and couldn't ever tell. But this pregnancy I need a support band so that it doesn't get any worse.

SweetPea0902

I've noticed it when I lay back in the tub, or when I'm using my core muscles to get up from a reclined position. Since this is my first pregnancy, I thought it was just the baby. But now I guess it isn't. Shocked, but I think my doctor would have told me if something was wrong. 

WorldLillie

Seems like such mixed messages -- Either it's normal or it's bad and needs support bands and surgery? I'm going to ask my doc on Wednesday and will report back. Any other thoughts/sharing from this community appreciated! 

hjweber

I get the same thing.  It's not painful at all and it happened when I was pregnant with DD, as well.  I never thought to ask the doc because it didn't hurt and just seemed normal since there is a large uterus and baby in there!  It didn't do this between pregnancies.  I think you're just 'weirding' yourself out.  Chill and stop looking at it!   )

pejay

Mine gets triangle shaped when I try to get up or flex my ab muscles but I have no pain...had it with my first one too...

visorv

Pretty sure it's just your muscles flexing in your belly....mine do this when I do push ups and some other ab work. Haven't had any pain. Pretty sure if your ab muscles rip there would be significant pain with that. I'm sure they will look the same as before once they go back into place.

callmeJing

The abs will normally heal back to the way it was pre-pregnancy.  However, in the case that it doesn't, it is not considered a serious condition, more cosmetic.  It's called diastasis recti.  In 2011 I was part of an article with Redbook Magazine called Mommy Tummy Makeovers.  Two of the Moms in the group had it and had a workout designed especially for them.  The article also instructs you on how to determine if you have it post-pregnancy.

Link here:  https://www.redbookmag.com/kids-family/blogs/mom-blog/flat-abs-exercises-post-baby

Link for us Moms who didn't have diastasis is here: https://www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/lose-mommy-tummy?src=soc_fcbk#slide-1

It was an easy great way to start getting back into shape.  I actually just bookmarked the article again for after I give birth in Feb.    

Hope this helps.

Dreamingmommy4

This is completely normal and no you don't need to worry about it being permanent or needing surgery. Your abdominal muscles can only stretch so far, but your baby is still growing and the uterus needs somewhere to go, so your body responds by splitting the abdominal muscles to give your uterus room to grow. The further along you get, the farther apart they are going to be. They will heal back together after you have your LO. It takes some time but you will be back to normal abdominal muscle function after that. And a little pain is common, but not everyone gets it. It can be caused by baby or your uterus pressing on your abdominal muscles and can cause a bruised like feeling. Don't worry, it's not anything tearing and it's not permanent damage, it actually helps the abs to move further out of the way to give your baby room. And some women, as their abs split get that darkened line down the center of their belly called the linea nigra, which is also a little side effect of this process. If you are concerned about anything though, I would consult with your doctor.

mythaldo

Your muscles aren't ripping when your abdominal muscles split; the muscles still have connective tissue between them that simply relaxes for your growing belly, so don't be alarmed by it or worry that something is wrong. It you're feeling pain when flexing your muscles to produce that triangle effect, you simply need to take it easy and avoid over-stressing the muscles. Bring it up with your doctor if you're not sure.

I've been having the triangle effect for a few weeks now and it is definitely freaky looking .

moonstarbaby

you might  have a hernia my belly does the same because i have one talk to your doctor there is not much to do until the baby is born if you have a cecarian they might be able o throw a hernioa surgery in too talk to your doctor about it.

Stephanie2167

My belly was like that with DD and does it now with the twins. I haven't had any pain. After DD my belly went back to normal. Not so sure I'll be as lucky with the twins just because of my belly size this time.

WorldLillie

Thanks for all your responses!

Here's the official update from my doctor about Triangle Belly: She said it DOES mean that there is some form of separation or weakening between my abs, but that it is extremely normal at this point in pregnancy, and rarely necessitates surgery to repair after having the baby. Phew! 

petitmonstree

Yup happened with my first and my doctor said it was completely normal. It was still there after having her just not nearly as noticeable. This pregnancy it's not as noticeable as it was with my daughter but still there.

FebBaby2014

Omg I noticed that's happened to me too but I thought it was just the way the baby way laying but now I'm seeing this and I never even heard of "split abs" wth!! It really sounds scary!!