Stomach muscle separation?

[Freya]

I know it exists as my mother had it bad after my brother was born and still does.

Seems the muscles at the top of my stomach (under my ribcage) have seperated, not badly but noticable if I sit up from reclining position. She didnt seem to worried but I know that it can be hard to get them to get back together after bub is born.

Anyone had this happen and did you just wear a support belt or the tight granny undies (you know the ones that suck in everything )? I know crunches will help but I have a feeling in those first few weeks with 3 under 2.5 Im not going to be in the mood for situps

[misskate]

hi, i ended up with split muscles with my baby. the physio advised me that NO big excersise for 6 weeks just little stretches and stuff and i was to wear a special pressure belt for that long too. mine still havent healed from the damage and will split again next baby. my muscles split vertically down near my belly button though, i didnt know about near your rib cage... are you talking about horizontally or vertically???

[alioops]

If they do seem quite split after he is born, get a referral to a physio. Mine are only a finger width apart non pg but we will see after she is born.

[Freya]

Vertically at the very top of my stomach above my belly button, not badly according to my midwife but still that could change between now and when he's born.

[mbear]

Mine are reaaaaaaaaaally bad - physio said the separation was a fist full ........like you i simply didnt have time to do situps either....but just sitting on the lounge watching your fav tv show means you can also do exercises. Pulling your stomach inwards, towards your spine, wearing like a girdle for a few hrs a day.

They generally recommend not to do crunches, any type of exercise until after 6-8 wks anyway......after this time though, i found just doing 20 situps a day did help. It also helped with my back, as i found i was using my back muscles when i should have been using my stomach......

See how it goes.....im a public patient in a public hossi, and i had 2 x free consultations with a physio - both at the hossi and one in her office....

[Freya]

Thanks for your thoughts MBear, seems Im lucky mine are very minor. I will definately wear the girdle and do situps once Im allowed.

We have private insurance so seeing a physio is not a problem, might not hurt to do so after bub is born. Certainly explains why my back and stomach ache.

[*Infinity*]

Anna T, you may also want to look into a specialist pilates studio after your bub is born - pilates will help stregthen the core muscles and draw them back to support your spine. Even a physio with expertise in pilates based rehabilitation would be ideal.