Hilarious Pic: Flexing My Abs Makes a Pregnant Triangle!
What a weird world is Pregnancy Land!
I had no idea that my abs would do something ridiculous when interacting with my massively pregnant belly: turn me into a Triangle Woman!
At the right you see what my 8.5-month pregnant belly looks like at rest. An innocent, moon-like orb, right?
Now scroll down to check out what happens when I flex my abs-- an action necessary to struggle out of a couch or bend down...
BOOM: Triangle!!! (Yes, I am wearing brown with black sweatpants. Forgive my questionable pregnant style and focus on the funny triangle...)
What Does Triangle Belly Feel Like for Baby?
"Watch out!" yells Colin. "You're gonna squish our little guy with your crazy triangle abs!"
But never fear... our pumpkin boy seems fine. He dances in utero whether I'm flexing or not. In fact, he's punching my ribs now. Maybe becoming a triangle is a cosy massage for him? They do say babies love being hugged tightly. Maybe he specifically enjoys a triangle-shaped squeeze?
What Does Pregnancy Triangle Mean?
What puzzles me is why I've never, ever heard of anyone else with this odd pregnancy symptom, despite obsessive research. Sure, I've written about 20 Funny Pregnancy Symptoms of the Third Trimester, but each of those symptoms is general knowledge among those who use iPhone pregnancy education apps. (You know, apps that liken the size of your fetus to different fruits. Good times.)
But... Triangle Abs? I've NEVER heard of anyone else having this goin' on. Am I alone here? Is it due to my ridiculously strong torso as a result of my years of varsity high jumping and signature "L" back-bends around the world?
Either way, I'm happy that a symptom I have heard of -- that your abs RIP IN HALF during pregnancy -- appears to not yet be in effect in my body. Or... does this mean they HAVE ripped? Who knows. Anyway, we now have 2 weeks and 2 days until our Estimated Due Date. What final surprises does Pregnancy Land hold???
Regaining Core Strength and Abs After Pregnancy
Feb. 2021 Update: Looking back at this article, I definitely had some damage done to my core muscles during my two pregnancies. I'm thrilled to report, however, that it was all solvable through persistent (doctor-suggested) exercise over a series of years. Want to see the "after" photo? Click here to see my current ab results!
Other Pregnancy Articles
Want unique, funny, and helpful posts about what it's like to be pregnant, from symptoms to tips? Read on!
12 Strange, Funny Pregnancy Symptoms of Months 1-4
Did you know that sneezing is a bizarre early pregnancy symptom? Find out more here....
20 Funny Pregnancy Symptoms of the Third Trimester
Yes, triangle shaped belly goes in the category of odd situations that arise in the home stretch of pregnancy.
Pregnant AND Toddler: 17 Tips to Help Home and Travel
It's hard to be pregnant sometimes, but it's even more of a challenge if you're juggling caring for a young kid. Here's advice on ways to balance it all.
A Secret To Happy Pregnancy From West Africa Travel
Want to make your pregnancy WAY easier and less stressful? Learn this lesson that I got the hard way in Ghana.
Why I Traveled to Dubai, 5 Months Pregnant and Alone!
Can you travel while pregnant? See my experience flying alone through Turkey and the UAE while in my second trimester with my second child.
Tired as a Mother? Try a Momcation!
For anyone who is a mother or will be one soon, learn the word "Momcation" because it's a key to rejuvenation. This article explains how to take one safely, quickly, and affordably -- without having your family get angry.
20 Pregnancy Stories and New Mom Tales to Make You Feel Less Alone
Here are ALL my pregnancy and new parent articles together in one place!
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
I totally have triangle abs! And my husband says the same thing! I'm only 17 weeks along but we both get hysterical when I flex! Glad to see someone else has this too!
Thank you so much for writing this post! I’m 23 weeks and when I stretched my back this weird bump popped out! I had to see what was going on. So random....All the crazy things your body goes through that no one tells you about.
You are not alone!!! So wild what happens to our bodies during pregnancy!
Hi Lillie,
LOVE your pregnant belly pics and SO GLAD to see that you call your bellybutton your friend!!! I say that because so many moms-to-be ABSOLUTELY HATE it when their bellybuttons come poking out.I on the other hand don't find them unappealing in the least.As a matter of fact,I feel like a pokey bellybutton makes a pregnant belly that much more APPEALING and PLEASING TO LOOK AT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hehe -- glad you love bellybuttons! :)
Same here - with every pregnancy!
I tried to attach a pic but it won't work. So freaky right?
Yes!!!! I got your email. Solidarity, fellow triangle belly gal!
I have always had this dramatic triangle with each of my 6 pregnancies. You're right that the abs split during pregnancy, which causes the shape. The thing you have to watch for is making sure the abs go back all the way aftwerards (some women's don't). Try searching for "midline protrusion in diastasis recti pregnancy". If you search google images and scroll down a little, there is a photo that looks very much like yours. My stomach didn't go back to being flat after my pregnancies - I have a lump that won't go away (that's not fat) from the diastasis recti causing a bit of a hernia there. Just fyi. =)
Ahh, thanks for the tip!
Omg I have the same thing and now that u said if u only have a finger of seperation after I will be able to so core workouts ....but I hope after its only 1finger seperation :) if not then its ccertainly diastasis recti :/
I came across this post when googling "flexing abs while pregnant." I was curious what it would come up with. I am 9months and when I flex my abs it pulls my belly in and up really high and becomes about half the size it normally is at rest. I did however want to share that I don't get the triangle shape when flexing. But I do get a strong triangle shaped belly when I do one certain activity. So as far as triangle shaped pregnancy belly goes, it can be pretty normal. :)
I have noticed the same with my belly when I flex. I first noticed it trying to get out of the bathtub. Im glad I am not the only one out there with this. I just figured its what shape the uterus takes on when flexed lol
You're not a freak! :)
As I googled "odd shaped pregnancy belly" your pic came in am image search. Thank the heavens I am not the only one!!! I searched because as I was getting out of bed I noticed my belly do this exact triangle! Wonder what it could be? Atleast I feel at ease knowing you are 38 weeks in the pic, I am currently 25 weeks. Thanks again :-) and congrats!
So glad that I could provide the calm that comes with knowing you're not the only one!
I'm pretty sure I have the same separation. While you were pregnant, did you do any excercise or anything to help with the separation? I'm researching what to do during pregnancy and I can't find anything at all. I'm 22 weeks pregnant and this separation is scaring the crap out of me. :(
Don't be scared! It's so weird, but it's very common. I didn't do any exercises to help it because I'm not sure there's much you can do until after the baby, and then there are some specific guidelines for how to address it. (See my earlier comment about my doctor's verdict, but also certainly ask your doctor and any nurses. I just kept asking anyone who might know.) When you're growing life, strange things are bound to happen, but it will be ok. Hang in there, and congratulations on your pregnancy!
An update on the triangle abs since I've given birth: My doctor checked, and now that I no longer have a baby in my belly, there is "only" a 1-finger-width separation between the abs. The doctor said that after giving birth, if you have more than a finger width separation, you really can't go back to normal ab work without specific physical therapy, but with 1 finger width or less, you can pretty much resume regular workouts, though she suggested I do a week of tiny crunches where you lie on your back and just raise your chin to your chest. This is a huge relief that my stomach isn't completely destroyed! Thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts and experience.
Then there is hope for me....found this because my abs look exactly like that a 33 weeks!! Not that I'll have the same results, but great info, thanks:)
Glad to help! Have your doctor check it out for you after you give birth. Good luck and congrats!
It's called a rectus diastisis! It's where your an muscles slide apart further than normal during pregnancy. I'm a physiotherapy student with an interest in Women's Health.
Google it!
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!
I wish I could get my abs to flex at all, in fact; I don't recall seeing them this year.
Haha! :D
HAHA cute!
Oh, too funny. Pregnancy is such a strange, and wonderful time (and often just... strange). :)
Looks like you've got some strong abdominal muscles!
I didn't know you were a high jumper too... Wow!
I thought for awhile that it was a nipple...
Hah! Nope-- Belly button, my friend. Belly button.
Isn't it painful when you flex?
Not entirely, but if I do it too much (ex: while shooting the photos for this article) it starts deeply aching and I get nauseous and exhausted. In summary: I stupidly hurt myself creating this article!
What this picture really needs, for maximum disturbing factor, is a little elbow or knee or something protruding from the apex. Excited to see what emerges from the triangle...
Seriously! Indeed, sometimes there are clear elbow or knee pokey-s, but he was camera shy about those during this shoot!
I'm really enjoying your updates Lillie... and I like that you add some silliness in too!
Elle xx
Thanks, Elle! Unfortunately, now I'm not laughing as much since I've found out this could mean my abs have split. :( Boo!
Oh God love! I recommend feet up for the last couple of weeks of the pregnancy... with everyone bringing you nice things to eat and drink.
Take it easy!
Elle xx
Ooohh-- That sounds delightful!
Have you decided a name for your child yet?
We have, but it's a secret until the birth!
Yup - mine did this when they split. If you lay on your back and do a crunch, you should be able to feel the split, or see abs 'bulge up'. 6 months pp and mine haven't healed :(
Argh! Nooo!!! Is surgery needed? How does one even heal them?
Depends how bad it is.
Blargh!
How funny I have this too....I was also a high jumper! I was doing a lot of yoga and pilates before I got pregnant and also am curious if this means I have split abs or not. I guess I will have to wait a week or so until my little guy is here to see what I am left with (due Nov 13th). I read Mummy Tummy and definitely will be belly binding six weeks post-partum to try and tuck everything back in quicker.
Yay, high jumpers! Alas, in the hour since I've published this article, the Twitter responses I've been getting suggest that my/our abs ARE split. :( Grrr! I will also verify with my doctor this week at my appointment. Sounds like I'll need to get this "Mummy Tummy" book and some belly binding... Thanks for the tip!