Apron Belly
A pannus, commonly referred to as an apron belly or mother’s apron, is a flap of excess skin, tissue and fat that hangs at the bottom of the abdomen. It’s not uncommon for people who are very plus size, have rapidly lost a lot of weight, or have had many babies to have an apron belly. It also isn’t something that a woman should be ashamed about but it often causes more emotional than physical distress. So we’re going to talk about it and if you have an apron belly, please know that you are not alone!
When you Google “apron belly” you mainly get tips on how to change your body – from weight loss (that often makes an apron belly hang lower but look more deflated) to surgery (that’s not an option for many due to insurance or financial limitations). This article isn’t about changing your body. It’s about how to live with an apron belly and feel more comfortable on a daily basis!
Like a B Belly, an apron belly can be emotionally difficult for plus size women to have. Yet, unlike a B Belly, an apron belly can be a great source of discomfort.
Anytime there is skin-to-skin contact, like underneath large breasts for example, you need to be cautious with any build up of moisture and sweat because the skin there can become easily irritated. It’s really important to keep an apron belly clean because heat rashes, skin ulcers, and skin tags can occur due to the constant dampness in that area.
One of the best ways to keep an apron belly clean is during your usual shower routine. The use of a shower brush
Then, depending upon the size of the apron, you might use pads or powders (anti-fungal powders
Most importantly I think it’s important to know that you’re not alone!
Below you’ll read quotes from community members in our Plus Size Mommy Memoirs private forum sharing their tips for hygiene, clothing options, intimacy, and more! Many suggestions will have links provided to products and images you can click on. Please note that it’s a good idea to check with your care provider before using any products you’re unfamiliar with.
It’s a change I bear that reminds me of the daughter I bore. Unfortunately, it means I can’t wear what I wore. – Beth
This group finally gave me a name to my apron belly never thought of it technically, just have had it for years due to being pleasantly plump! – Janice
I just always called it my FUPA lol – Heather
My personal experience with this started after having my first daughter. I had always been big but my skin was tight not a hanging flap until after I gave birth. Then my body changed and I hated the way it looked now. I would wash under it every time I used the bathroom at home because sweat collected there. I began to no longer love myself.
Then I joined a moms group in our area and there were only 3 bigger moms there. I felt so out of place until one day one of smaller moms started complaining about her hanging skin and about 5 other smaller moms chimed in saying they had the same issue. That day I realized it wasn’t from me being fat that I had the hanging skin it was from me bringing this beautiful life into this world and that I wasn’t something that I suffered through alone. That day I began to love myself again. I don’t chose to hide my body anymore, its the only one I have got and I’m going to be proud of it. I even rocked a “fatkini
Helpful Hygiene Products & Suggestions
I’ve had an apron belly as far back as I can remember. It got worse after my first c-section. I started having problems with chaffing. I started using an unscented invisible solid stick deodorant
Hibiclens
Monostat puts out an anti-chafing gel cream
Coconut oil
Got a nasty rash? Get diaper rash cream
Maxi pads
Goldbond
Clothing Suggestions
No jeans for this girl, my belly enjoys stretchy pants
I wear Capri leggings, looser in the leg and have the tall waistband. Cowcow dresses
Sizing up a 1-2 sizes of Spanx or similar support garments
I had an apron belly before I got pregnant so gaining all the weight that I did really took a toll on me. The belly band
I’ve started wearing more plus size tunics
I continue to wear maternity pants
I’ve had an apron literally since I was 4 years old, and right now I’ve been through two pregnancies and lots of weight fluctuations. The two things I hate the most are the way it claps against the tops of my thighs if I run or just move too quickly. It’s a very strange noise that is very noticeable! Compression workout pants
Undies
I wear my underwear under my belly and my pants over. I’m extremely particular about this. My underwear ALWAYS bunch up in the back because of all the extra fabric, or they fall down because they are too loose. – Ann
Lane Bryant full cotton brief. Comes up over my belly and doesn’t give me wedgies. The fit of these is first rate. I told my mom and now she won’t wear any other kind of panties. They are life changing. – Lori
I gave up underwear mostly. I wear something like sleep shorts instead unless it’s that time… Then it’s plus size briefs
I’m totally about to embarrass the crap outta myself, but here goes: As I’ve lost weight and the belly hang is worst, I’ve noticed my butt is smaller and I’m in desperate need of new undies…. My solution? I bought the new size and wear the backwards …. The hi cut ‘front’ cuts across my cheeks flatteringly and the fuller ‘back’ holds the belly hang in. Totally has helped me (for now) until this hang pulls up/in, which I’m hoping it will do – Soon! Anyway, hopefully that might help someone else?! – Yvonne
Intimacy
Pillows! Use under your hips especially. – Jessica
I wear a baby doll
I have 3 kids…the clothes just come off. No time for special lingerie, lol! I have occasionally done no panties under a skirt if I have time to think ahead. Ha! The older I get I’ve learned to just embrace it, it’s my body…if you don’t like it then that’s on you. There are plenty of guys that don’t mind it. – Rebecca
Additional Obstacles & Solutions
Omg and seat belts!! The seatbelt is supposed to lay “flat across the hips”. Yeah right. It sits right on top of my belly. – Breanna
Try a seatbelt extender
Wiping!? Gosh the belly makes it hard! – Jordan
There are some options here too like using a wiping wand
Shaving is the worst… You want to be trimmed and sexy but to get that way you have to either master a belly hold and razor shave or plan some alone time so that you can lay on the bed and do this in privacy. – Natalie
I found Nair
As a plus size mom with an apron belly (thanks kids!) using the standard peri bottle from the hospital and midwives was never easy but I made it work each time with 4 babies and 4 vaginal deliveries. Someone gave me the Fridababy Fridet, The MomWasher
The travel bag is also handy so it stays in my purse or diaper bag with a pad I can easily pull out and clean up while out and about too. So when I use the bathroom I don’t have to maneuver my belly as much on the toilet to get a straight shot to my crotch while I pee and after. I will save this for future babies and it will be in my new mom gift repertoire. – Sarah
Surgery
I got a panniculectomy. I haven’t had a c-section and my apron was from weight loss. My insurance covered 100% – if you have documentation of rashes it can be covered to be removed. I had a great plastic surgeon. – Anna
My surgery with a tummy tuck, muscle repair and lower body lift will be around $14,000. – Sue
As we shared above, for many women surgery isn’t a possibility due to insurance and/or financial limitations. However, you can always talk to your care provider about options you may have.
Once again, please know that you’re NOT alone if you have an apron belly!
Grab Your FREE Guide
Subscribe to learn how to connect with a size friendly care provider!
I never knew that about cornstarch powder! Good to know, because most body powders are made with cornstarch. It’s so hard to keep apron bellies clean and dry – I have issues with my upper thighs too, especially because I work retail and I sweat a lot walking all day. Maybe one day I’ll be able to embrace my mom belly.
I’m glad you found the article helpful Lily. I know it takes time to embrace your body, but I hope knowing that you’re not alone brings comfort!
I have always been a curvier girl, which I’ve embraced. However after 3 c-sections in 3.5 years I have a serious apron. The scars create the perfect point for my skin to fold and hang down. My kids don’t mind and even appreciate the difference between squishy cuddly mommy and daddy. Their love has helped me make peace with my apron.
“Their love has helped me make peace with my apron.” – that’s beautiful!!! I hope your love for your body, helps others to embrace theirs.
LOVE THIS! One of the things that I find that sucks is having sex in the missionary postition. When hubby is thrusting sometimes my belly gets pulled and the thin skin under the apron HURTS! The struggle is real!
Thanks for sharing Lauren! I wonder if wearing a tight tank-top and pulling it down over your belly might provide more support?! But yes, as you said, the struggle is real.
Hi! My husband and I have been married for thirty years and have great sex. This is what I do. I take a twin flat sheet.. fold in half so it is thick and lay it across my stomach. I pull it down a little so my boobs can really be seen. My stomach isn’t seen and there is no rubbing.
Awesome tip Lauren! Thanks for sharing.
I have had an apron since puberty, and have always been embarrassed by it. After my C-section it is so much more extreme and looks terrible in jeans or pants. I am living in tunics and dresses. I think after we are done having kids, I will look into surgery.
Thanks for sharing and helping so many people to know they aren’t alone.
I developed an apron belly after my second child, my first c-section. So interested in that surgical scrub soap mentioned! I wash, blow dry on cool and use a thin daily style pad folded lengthwise and held in place by my skin flap each day. I’m 10 months postpartum and my apron had gotten smaller but still needs to stay dry! Despite my best efforts my c-section incision took about 7 months to fully close because of the moisture in the apron. I thought it was terrible! I’ve consulted with three OBGYNs, a NP, an MD and a dermatologist and none had more useful advice than your blog- on c-section healing and now this too! Thank you!!!!! Sharing this with all my Doula friends and fellow plus size friends!
Oh Kathleen, thank you so much for sharing. I’m so happy my blog has provided you with some helpful information. And please be kind to yourself, 10 months postpartum is not that long, mama.
I have to second the empire waist dresses. They really look good on my shape and deemphasize the part that hangs down. I don’t like how it whacks against my body when I run or jog, but at least I can jog and move quickly when I want/need to.
I don’t really encounter much of a smell problem, but I do wash every day and use unscented baby wipes if I do feel like there’s a scent.
Though my body isn’t the body I wish I had, I’m glad that I can manage the issues I have with it, and I’d much rather have a lumpy “apron” than a number of other ailments that I could have. I think that I’m more prone to the “apron” belly thing because I have both PCOS and Hashimoto Thyroidosis.
Thanks so much for sharing Shauna!! Baby wipes is a good tip.
I put a friend request on your fb page. I like all of these girls run into
All the looks, discrimination, and all the things we big girls go through. I live in the south, so it’s twice as bad here.i live around all these skinny bikini clad bitches. That’s never been big in their life. But always
Have something smartass and to say to big girls!
Brenda I’m so sorry that you’ve felt attacked by others. I really try to be supportive of everyone, since we all struggle with body image. Yet, I sure understand that us plus size ladies have unique struggles. Sending you big ((HUGS))!
I have had an apron since puberty – always have been a big girl. To keep my scar dry afterwards my C-Sec I used padded Combine dressings folded lengthwise, which not only kept the area dry but the padding protected it too. It healed really quickly and I have almost no scar after 6 months. I tend to wear a lot of empire style dresses and tops, it is loose over my tummy but gives me shape over my boobs and hips. I also like to wear cotton leggings or exercise shorts (or bike pants) under skirts and dresses which comfortably holds in the tummy without being too tight (like tummy control pants) and also protects my thighs from “Chub Rub” as I affectionately call it. LOL
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences Nita! It really helps women to feel less alone.
I’ve had am apron for a few Years, but it seems worse since my c-section for my fourth child 5 weeks ago. It’s not enough now to keep cloth or a pad in place to absorb the moisture now, however bec it slips out of place. I’ll try some of these products, but I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for a way to lift and compress the apron so that it no longer lies against the other skin? I don’t know if there are belts or underwear successful at that. I don’t just want to push it in to look slimmer; the most immortant part is the lift bec I hate the feeling of it lying on the skin (skin on skin). Thanks ladies
Lisa I’m going to post your question on our Facebook page now. Hopefully people might have some suggestions – https://www.facebook.com/plussizemommymemoirs/
I have had an apron belly since my daughters birth 52 years ago. Mine was due to collapse of all my stomach muscles, which hung all the way to my knees, and an emergency C-section as she weighed almost 10 pounds. I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy and still deal with losing it. I did find that an exercise of breathing in and get u r lower stomach to tighten, hold for count of 7 and then breathe out. Do as much as u can even while driving. this also tightens the muscles inside of vagina and the other ones to help u r bladder from falling and anything else that gravity attempts to attack. My apron now is no longer at my knees but still have a LOVE Roll there that is aggravating. Some times I just lean sideways to readjust it. II make Skorts and put a panel in band to hem in front and back. These come in handy when u need to use toilet. Just pull the skort down, reach thru crotch and pull back panel thru and to front band. this will let u keep dry and be able to better get to wiping area without soiling u r skort. works wonders for me as I have stay dry now. also u can wear these without underwear as it has a crotch in it like shorts.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing all of this with us!
Im so grateful to read about this in a positive, supportive environment. My apron has become a particular source of shame and body-hate since having 2 c-sections. Im trying my very best to challenge this and learning to love the softness of my belly, but it’s an everyday struggle in this society.
You sure aren’t alone Madeline!