8 main reasons why women's bellies grow

It happens that a slender girl regularly plays sports, and everything seems to be in order with her nutrition. But there is one “but” that does not allow her to call her figure ideal - her protruding belly. This is just an example - it can happen to different people and for different reasons.

Why such a belly appears and what to do about it, says Elena Svetlova

, specialist in prenatal preparation and postpartum recovery, methodologist at the VP Fitness Consulting coaching school and expert at the International Festival of Healthy Lifestyle and Sports SN PRO EXPO FORUM.
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Abdominal dropsy and gynecological disorders

Due to the rapidly growing fibroids of the uterine body, the abdomen may also increase. A cyst in the ovaries can weigh more than 3–5 kg. Ascites can cause an increase in the volume and diameter of the abdomen. This is a disease that causes a large amount of fluid to accumulate in the body. To avoid this kind of process, you need to contact specialists in time and not fix the problem yourself.

reasons why women's belly grows

Why do internal organs drop?

There may be several reasons for the prolapse of internal organs:

• previous injury to the coccyx;
• lifting weights;
• pregnancy;
• childbirth;
• trampolining.

Tailbone injury is the main cause. Its mechanism is as follows: when falling on the tailbone and sacrum, the spine stops first, and the internal organs continue to move by inertia, and with a strong fall, the ligaments supporting the intestines are sharply stretched and lengthened. This leads to prolapse of the complex of internal organs. Other reasons make the situation worse.

The condition can be complicated by the lack of animal food, excessive thinness, and the presence of endocrine diseases, in which connective tissue is weakened.

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Nature ordered it this way

Representatives of the fair sex are 4 times more likely to be overweight, and all because their percentage of body fat is a priori one and a half times higher. Among other things, during the period of bearing a child and breastfeeding, almost every woman’s weight increases. This means that if a woman has not returned to her original shape after her first pregnancy, during subsequent pregnancies her weight will only increase, which will lead to obesity. If a woman initially had a tendency to be overweight, we can give a 99% guarantee that she will suffer from obesity in the future.

why does a woman have a big belly

Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

Problems associated with abdominal muscle separation occur more often in women. Statistics say that more than 70 percent of women in the third trimester of pregnancy suffer from such pathologies.

After childbirth, the muscle tissue completely returns to its original position, but approximately 30 percent of women in labor experience diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles. The gap that appears between the muscles leads to the formation of a convex, flabby abdomen, spoiling the figure.

The name of the disease diastasis has Greek roots from diastasis, which translates as division. This case describes a problem that most women face during pregnancy when the rectus abdominis muscles become separated. (ICD-10 code - M62.0 Muscle divergence)

Doctor Alexander Alexandrovich Markushin will ensure the rapid restoration of the aesthetic appeal of the figure.

Signs of diastasis

It will be easier to understand the essence of the problem if you understand the structure of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. The rectus muscle is located in the center of the abdomen. At one end it is attached in the area of ​​the costal arch, at the other it goes to the pubic bones. It is made up of two parts connected in the middle by connective tissues.

During fetal development, strong, prolonged muscle tension is observed, which affects intrauterine pressure, gradually increasing it. Constant loads lead to tissue divergence. As the fetus grows, the distance between the two parts of the rectus muscle increases, diverging to the sides. A furrow appears and the stomach protrudes forward. Pathology can be clearly expressed above, below the navel, or have mixed forms.

At first glance, the pathological changes look like a hernia, but an experienced surgeon will immediately identify diastasis. There is no need to be afraid of infringement, but even in the early stages of development, such decoration greatly spoils the aesthetics of the appearance. The figure loses its grace and attractiveness, causing a lot of trouble for ladies who jealously watch their shape.

Men rarely face such problems. Women who have had multiple pregnancies may need the help of an experienced plastic surgeon.

According to the degree of divergence of the tissues of the rectus abdominis muscles, three stages of diastasis are distinguished.

1. The distance between the edges of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscles is 2.5-5 cm.
2. The discrepancy between the edges of the muscles is 5-8 cm.
3. The increase in discrepancy affecting the convexity of the abdomen exceeds 8 cm.

You can independently determine at home what degree of diastasis the patient is experiencing. By the shape of the convexity of the anterior abdominal wall, it is possible to determine which adjacent muscles are affected by the pathology. Experts divide three types of diastasis according to the number of adjacent areas affected.

• A classic, when exclusively the rectus abdominis muscle is affected.
• The process involves the inferolateral muscle sections.
• Significant expansions are visible in the areas of the bladder and lower ribs.
• There is a serious curvature of the waistline.

Women with the development of pathology feel gradually increasing pain in the womb, lower back, and pelvis. The gait gradually changes. There are problems getting up after resting or when trying to lie down. You have to resort to outside help. Regular attacks of pain lead to depression, psychological breakdowns, and the inability to properly perform the simplest work or usual household chores. Sexual activity decreases, which is accompanied by hormonal imbalances.

Important!

When the first signs of diastasis appear, you should immediately consult with an experienced surgeon. The plastic surgery clinic of Dr. Markushin will offer the optimal solution to the problem that has arisen.

Reasons for the development of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles

Changes in the body that spoil the figure do not occur without reason. Diastasis can occur:

• if the elasticity of muscle tissue is lost due to sudden weight loss;
• there are large, constant physical activities;
• with dysplasia or abnormal development of organs and tissues, often accompanying varicose veins, hernias, hemorrhoids or other chronic diseases;
• in most women after bearing a child. Hormonal levels change, the supply of collagen sharply decreases, and muscle tissue loses elasticity. The increasing size of the uterus sharply increases the pressure in the abdominal cavity, forcing the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle to separate.

The first noticeable changes in your figure begin to appear after the second trimester of pregnancy. The growing fetus requires more space, and increasing pressure pushes the muscle tissue apart.

More than half of women recover quickly after childbirth. The uterus takes on its usual size, the pressure on the muscles decreases sharply, and the linea alba returns to the standard 2 centimeters in width.

However, there are factors under which the development of pathology is inevitable.

• Several pregnancies in a row before normal shape was completely restored.
• Pregnancy in adulthood, when the skin and muscles begin to lose elasticity.
• Excess weight before, during, after pregnancy.
• Carrying twins or triplets, as well as with large fetuses.
• Various complications during childbirth that affect the formation of muscle tissue.
• Starting active sports immediately after childbirth or excessive exercise before the body has managed to recover from pregnancy.

Sometimes diastasis can develop even in children. The cause of the development of pathology at an early age may be a lack of microelements necessary for the formation of muscle tissue or prematurity. With age, problems will increase, manifestations of diastasis will become obvious.

In most cases, early diastasis goes away on its own if you consult a pediatrician in time and undergo a special course of treatment. Increasing muscle tone and strengthening ligaments evens out the shape of the abdomen. Children with Down syndrome most often suffer from rectus abdominis muscle separation. No more than 1.5 men go to a plastic surgery center for diastasis. Most often these are heavyweight athletes or people who have suddenly lost excess weight.

Treatment options

During the examination, the doctor determines the degree, type, and type of diastasis, after which a method of treating the pathology is selected. For those who have the first stage, strict adherence to simple recommendations is sufficient.

• Bring your body weight to acceptable numbers.
• A balanced diet, reducing the amount of sweets and fats consumed will strengthen muscle tissue.
• Drink the optimal amount of liquid per day, giving preference to natural juices.
• Use a bandage to support your stomach.
• Regularly undergo a strengthening course of massage, engage in physical exercise according to a special program.
• Go to the pool, attend yoga classes, Pilates, don’t sit still.

Important!

All exercises, especially at the initial stage, should be supervised by a specialist who monitors the changes occurring in the body. You need to pay special attention to the oblique and transverse abdominal muscles.

There are special sets of exercises for pregnant women that promote the correct formation of the fetus, helping to rebuild the body, preparing the woman for childbirth. Classes must be conducted together with a specially trained trainer who is well versed in the peculiarities of the transformation of the female body before the birth of a child.

Late stages of diastasis require the intervention of a qualified plastic surgeon. Alexander Alexandrovich will help restore a beautiful figure, strengthen the muscle corset, get rid of complications and unpleasant symptoms.

• Local tissue grafting is used by many patients. The doctor uses the patient's tissue to correct pathological changes. Excess tissue is removed, after which the edges of the muscles are stitched, giving the abdomen the desired shape.

• Prosthetics during tension plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is carried out as in the first case, only the strength of the muscle corset is added by a special polypropylene mesh corset placed in the abdominal cavity.
• The insertion of an endoprosthesis under the stretched area, followed by fixation of all tissues in the new position, will significantly strengthen the muscle structure, guaranteeing the ideal shape of the abdomen.
• A combination of several techniques that give the ideal result for restoring a beautiful figure.

After examining the patient, the doctor chooses the optimal surgical method for weakened muscles. The patient, together with the attending physician, can see on a 3D model how his body will change after completion of rehabilitation. Recovery of the body after plastic surgery takes 1-3 months. It all depends on the complexity of the operation, the condition of the body, and strict adherence to all the instructions of the attending physician.

Prevention of diastasis

Experts' recommendations for strengthening abdominal muscle tissue come down to simple rules that will help you maintain a beautiful figure for a long time, even after several births.

• Follow your diet, balancing it with different foods that are beneficial for the body.
• An active lifestyle, frequent walking, sports, and daily exercise will strengthen your muscles and make your abs powerful.
• Pay special attention to strengthening the muscle structures of the lower back and abdomen.
• Don't overexert yourself in the gym by lifting weights.
• Take care of strengthening the diaphragm by doing special sets of exercises.
• Monitor your weight to avoid obesity.

Important!

Immediately after you find out that you are pregnant, start using special oils, creams, gels that increase the elasticity of the skin and muscles. Watch your nutrition, follow a diet, and after giving birth, monitor how the abdominal muscles are recovering, so that at the first signs of pathology you can immediately contact a specialist.

Exercises for prevention

Any sports to strengthen the abs should be started under the supervision of an experienced trainer to avoid possible complications.

With diastasis you cannot:

• do exercises to strengthen your abs from a supine position;
• do push-ups;
• exercise with a barbell or dumbbells;
• do deep lunges with sharp squats;
• do not use any exercises when the lower limbs are suspended;
• pull up on the horizontal bar;
• bend back strongly, lean sharply to the sides;
• perform power crunches;
• use a jump rope.

By gradually increasing the load you can achieve excellent results. To do this, follow simple rules.

1. Start by gradually strengthening the transverse abdominal muscles. This will take up to two months.
2. Then we move on to strengthening the oblique muscles using lateral bends.
3. When doing exercises for diastasis, make sure that the abdominal muscles do not protrude. The pelvic floor muscles should be kept tense and the abs retracted.
4. Constantly monitor the condition of your abdomen by wearing a special bandage during the day. When doing physical work, pull in your stomach.

Regularly performing several simple exercises for three months will ensure a quick recovery of your figure after childbirth. Remember to eat right so that excess weight does not aggravate existing problems.

Restoring the gracefulness, sculpted shape of the abdomen, and eliminating extra centimeters at the waist is a process of painstaking work. Start with running or walking. Strengthening your abs should start with simple exercises under the supervision of a trainer.

• A vacuum or regular abdominal retractions stimulate blood circulation and accelerate the movement of lymph. A smooth deep breath is taken so that the walls of the abdomen are as close to the spine as possible. Hold your breath and remain in this position for a count of thirty. Two short exhalations are made. The abdomen returns to its original position.

• Planks begin two months after the start of classes. For diastasis, a side plank is done. Lie on your side, resting on the back of your forearm. The legs are straightened, the second hand rests on the waist. Next, we tear off the pelvis, resting on the hand and foot from the floor. The body forms a straight line. Freeze for 1-2 minutes. Make sure your buttocks and abdominal muscles are tense.

• The cat's movements are healing, strengthening the spine, while simultaneously strengthening the abdominal muscles. Kneel down with your palms on the floor. The stomach is drawn in, the back is rounded, the head drops to the floor as you inhale. As you exhale, return to the starting position.

• The butt bridge quickly strengthens your abs while training your pelvic floor muscles. Lying on your back, bend your legs. Extend your arms along your body. As you inhale, pull your stomach in and slightly lift your buttocks. The arms and upper body should remain on the floor. When exhaling, return to the original position.

• Kegel exercises are done while lying on your back. The legs bend slightly. Tighten the muscles of the perineum in the same way as you do when trying to hold back urination. Lie in this position for 10-20 seconds. Then gradually relax.

• Traction to prevent diastasis. Standing on our knees, we rest our palms on the floor. As you inhale, we draw in your stomach, while simultaneously raising your arm and leg on one side. As you exhale, return to your previous position, then repeat the exercise on the other side of the body.

Diastasis after childbirth

Equally negative effects on the body are caused by both complete inactivity and improper work with the muscles. After childbirth, hormone levels greatly affect the condition of muscle tissue. The linea alba diverges under the influence of the enlarged uterus. During normal pregnancy, after childbirth the body quickly returns to its previous shape.

If the abdominal tissues have lost their elasticity, it may remain saggy and flabby, spoiling the aesthetic appearance. The development of diastasis is influenced by genetic abnormalities, heredity, poor muscle tone, and other reasons. By contacting Dr. Alexander Markushin, patients will receive any help to quickly cope with the existing problem.

Diastasis during pregnancy

Stretched muscles of the white line affect the tone of the anterior abdominal wall. This puts more strain on your back when performing daily household chores. The ligaments soften under the influence of hormones to prepare the pelvic joints for the upcoming birth. The stronger the diastasis, the greater the load the spine is exposed to during pregnancy. Negative sensations appear in the lower back, sacrum, and womb.

With diastasis during pregnancy, almost 60 percent of women experience pelvic floor dysfunction, which can lead to organ prolapse after childbirth. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs of diastasis. By doing the simplest sets of special exercises it is easy to maintain muscles in proper tone.

If after the birth of your baby, diastasis begins to bother you, contact Dr. Markushin’s plastic surgery center to quickly eliminate the pathology.

Excessive exercise

Abdominal volume can also increase when a person exhausts himself with training and does not consume the required amount of calories. In this case, the body has to store fat. It often happens that we convince ourselves that everything we ate before can go away thanks to training. Indeed, you can pump up your abdominal muscles and increase them at the waist, but not at all on your stomach. This phenomenon is a feature of men.

Thus, to reduce belly fat, a woman needs to carefully monitor her diet and exercise routine. And it is worth noting that the most effective are basic strength exercises. Now you know why women's belly grows .

Exercise 4.

Starting position: sitting on the floor or on the bed.

1. Lean your back against the wall.
2. Place one hand on the solar plexus. Exhale and move your navel as far as possible towards your spine, hold it in this position and relax.

This exercise should ideally be performed at least 100 times in one approach, but don’t be alarmed, it will take you no more than three minutes. If you do it daily, after a few weeks you will see the result: the abdominal wall will become more toned.

A little anatomy

The abdominal muscles consist of four sections:

• rectus muscle;
• transverse;
• internal oblique muscles;
• external obliques.

The rectus muscle is the largest. This is what is most often called the press. This muscle group comes from the pelvic bone and attaches to the sternum. The muscles are crossed by several horizontal connective fibers and a vertical tendon line, visually forming cubes. The number and expressiveness of the latter depends on the nature of the tendons. If genetics have let you down, then even millions of repetitions will not help you catch up with those to whom nature has given a wonderful gift.