Heavy heavy abdomen after 3rd baby

[Arcadia]

I'm five days post partum and my insides feel so heavy. I have been trying to do some pelvic floor exercises and I can find the muscles well, but they tire easily (as you would expect).

My uterus has shrunk remarkably quickly and is very very low. My bleeding is scant and I had no grazes or anything.

I have pretty bad muscle separation though meaning my whole tummy is bulging like Im 5 months pg. This hasn't happened before ad with the others I was pretty flat within a week.

Anyway my issue is this heavy feeling. I suppose I'm worried about a prolapse.

I've been perhaps too active, but it's hard with other children, even with DH home to do so much and other family around. I am still doing some light chores, like folding washing and normal baby care and some quiet games with the kids. Even playing lego seemed to strain my tummy though with lots of bending forward etc.

Anyway. I'm just hoping for some reassurance, or advice.

Is it too soon to see a physio?

[PumpkinZulu]

Wrap that belly, nice and tight. If you can (ask your midwives) get your hands on a tubigrip, or a belly bandit or similar. I also had bad muscle desperation, and the difference I felt having my belly bound for the first few months was phenomenal.

[Heaven]

You need tubigrip! My tummy felt awful without it. It improved the separation very quickly after my last 2 pregnancies. Has your midwife given you other exercises to do for the separation too?

[HotI]

if you don't have tubigrip, you can wrap with a stretchy wrap similar to how you tie hug a bub but without the baby in there. I have bought some src recovery shorts in preparation this time. really hope they help things go back together.

maybe you need to take a day or two and just chill in bed, especially if you have support at home now. give your body a chance for things to rest and recover.

[Tegam]

Love Hoti's words on wisdom. Things to help your tummy are great and yes you should talk to your midwife, but be careful that they done help you into doing too much. I know I feel so much better after having a baby because I'm just celebrating not being sore from pregnancy anymore, but it is far too easy to do too much. If you were at a friends house who had just had a baby 5 days earlier would you be happy seeing her doing what you are doing? It's ok to just rest and let your body heal xx hugs to the pain.

[Arcadia]

Thanks everyone. Tegam your words really rang true for me. I need to take it a bit more slowly!

My midwife has the SRC recovery shorts at their clinic. I think I'm going to get some or at least look at similar options. I don't know if tubigrip is going to be enough support.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really love the support here in BB (where's the group hug icon?)

[Cassius2]

You need belly support! I also had bad separation and especially when we are talking 3 or more kids it can impact. I would suggest that everyone near you tries their darndest to have you not doing much other than caring for the new squishy. My midwives even got cross if they saw me getting up to answer the door when they arrived! they really expressed the need for rest and recovery. I wouldnt really try to do many pelvic floor exercises in that first week or so. just let your body recover and let those muscles get back into place for a bit on their own. and then start gently with the pelvic floor stuff.