“Why Do I Still Look Pregnant?” Common Questions About the Postpartum Belly
You’ve had your baby, and your heart is full… but your belly still looks like you're five months pregnant. First of all—this is completely normal. It’s one of the most common surprises for new moms: that postpartum belly doesn’t disappear overnight (or even in a few weeks), and sometimes, it can feel like no one warned you about that.
Let’s unpack the reasons behind the lingering “pregnant” look after birth, how it’s connected to your pelvic floor and diastasis recti, and what you can do to support your healing body.
1. Why do I still look pregnant after giving birth?
After nine months of stretching, shifting, and supporting a growing baby, your body needs time to return to its non-pregnant state. The uterus takes about 6 weeks to shrink back to its original size—but that’s only part of the story.
Other reasons why your belly may still appear rounded include:
Abdominal muscle separation (diastasis recti)
Bloating or fluid retention
Weakened pelvic floor and core muscles
Postural changes from pregnancy and nursing
It’s not just “extra weight” or something you need to fix. It’s your body’s way of healing—and that healing takes time.
We walk you through this process in our Essential Postpartum Program, where each class is designed to support core reconnection and rebuild strength gently and effectively.
2. What is diastasis recti and how does it affect my belly?
Diastasis recti is a separation of the abdominal muscles that happens during pregnancy to make room for your baby. After birth, those muscles don’t always return to the midline on their own, leaving a visible or bulging gap in the center of your stomach.
This gap can cause your belly to still look rounded even months postpartum. It may also come with other symptoms like back pain, poor posture, or pelvic floor issues.
Healing diastasis recti requires specialized core and pelvic floor exercises—not just crunches or traditional ab workouts.
Our Essential Postpartum Program is diastasis-aware and designed to help you rebuild strength from the inside out.
3. Is my pelvic floor connected to how my belly looks?
Yes! Your pelvic floor is deeply connected to your core. When the pelvic floor is weak or uncoordinated, it can contribute to issues like core instability, a “pooch” appearance, or pelvic pressure.
Engaging your pelvic floor properly—through breathing, alignment, and movement—is key to healing your postpartum body.
Kegels, when done correctly, are one way to reconnect with these muscles. But there's so much more to effective pelvic floor work than simply squeezing.
That’s why we created the $5 Beginner Kegel Guide, which teaches you how to safely engage your pelvic floor and integrate it into everyday movement.
4. Will pelvic floor exercises and Kegels help flatten my postpartum belly?
They’ll definitely help improve your core connection—and that’s the foundation for a flatter, more functional belly. But instead of chasing aesthetics, we focus on healing and strength.
Pelvic floor exercises, deep breathing, and gentle core activation are the first steps in supporting your body’s natural healing process. Over time, this will help restore tone, improve posture, and reduce the appearance of a postpartum belly.
You’ll find all of these techniques in our Postpartum Program, designed for every body and every stage of recovery.
5. Is it too late to start healing if I’m months or years postpartum?
It’s never too late. Whether you’re 6 weeks or 6 years postpartum, your body can still respond to intentional movement and connection. We’ve had many women join our Ima Yoga Method years after having kids and still experience incredible results—better bladder control, stronger cores, less back pain, and yes, flatter bellies.
You can start anytime with our Essential Postpartum Program or explore all our offerings here.
6. Can I prevent this during pregnancy?
You can’t always prevent the appearance of a postpartum belly, but you can support your core and pelvic floor during pregnancy in ways that make postpartum recovery easier.
We offer stage-specific support through:
And if you’re just getting started, try our Free Prenatal Yoga Class to experience gentle, supportive movement for pregnancy and beyond.
Final Thoughts: You’re Healing, Not Broken
Still looking pregnant doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It doesn’t mean you’re not strong. It means your body is still doing the beautiful, often invisible work of healing.
With the right support, guidance, and grace, you can feel strong and at home in your body again.
When you’re ready, join us inside the Essential Postpartum Program, or explore our full collection of programs tailored for every stage of motherhood!
