Separated Stomach Muscles

[Mumma T]

I had a 4 finger separation and was only told to wear some shape wear to help it.

Not being able to drive or barely walk after the c/s and infection I couldn't go buy any. I wasn't given any exercises until yesterday (almost 8 weeks PP) but thank goodness I am down to less than 1 finger separation.

Even now I have been told to still restrict what I lift and still no sit ups/crunches til it has completely healed

[HotI]

It doesn't affect vaginal birth - but it can make it harder for baby to engage if the tummy muscles aren't holding him in over the pelvis so he can push on the cervix itms. i strapped my tummy day and night for the last few weeks trying to give bub a bit of stability in there. this was 2nd pregnancy with 2nd large seperation though.

i reckon recovery would be harder if you had both c section damage and tummy seperation at the same time. definitely go for supportive recovery shorts if you were in this position.

[Maruschke]

It doesn't affect vaginal birth - but it can make it harder for baby to engage if the tummy muscles aren't holding him in over the pelvis so he can push on the cervix itms. i strapped my tummy day and night for the last few weeks trying to give bub a bit of stability in there. this was 2nd pregnancy with 2nd large seperation though.

i reckon recovery would be harder if you had both c section damage and tummy seperation at the same time. definitely go for supportive recovery shorts if you were in this position.

Just a note that some physio's will recommend wearing a support belt for as long as you can during labour if this is the case... or until you feel that bubs has definitely engaged. Thankfully we didn't have to do that because the feeling of having something on my tummy was so annoying!

[PumpkinZulu]

HotI what an awesome piece of info to know! I'll definitely be needing that, thank you!

[Cassius2]

I have a pretty impressive muscle separation but have the opposite issue to what HotI mentioned in that it has meant that baby has nothing stopping her from engaging lol. I am on orders to do no heavy lifting (including DD2 ). Too much pre-labour etc. I am getting a tubi grip to help and see if that will pull baby back up.