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!
Mallory
Thursday 15th of September 2016
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!
Oceanna
Thursday 20th of June 2019
Thank you so much for writing this post! Iām 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.
Todd
Wednesday 12th of November 2014
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lillie
Wednesday 12th of November 2014
Hehe -- glad you love bellybuttons! :)
Karen
Friday 17th of October 2014
Same here - with every pregnancy! I tried to attach a pic but it won't work. So freaky right?
Lauren
Tuesday 2nd of December 2014
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. =)
Lillie
Friday 17th of October 2014
Yes!!!! I got your email. Solidarity, fellow triangle belly gal!
Sonia
Sunday 17th of August 2014
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 :/
Jennifer
Saturday 2nd of August 2014
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. :)