Toward the end of your pregnancy or after giving birth, some women notice either an indentation or a bulge in the middle of their belly. This is likely a common condition known as diastasis recti.

When your abdominal muscles — also known as rectus abdominis — are under a lot of pressure due to pregnancy or repeated heavy lifting, you may be at risk for a condition known as diastasis rectus ...

I never had a flat stomach before having kids. But I’m fairly certain my twin pregnancy was responsible for the lower belly “pooch” that hasn’t gone away, even though my boy and girl are now teens.