Separated Stomach Muscles

[lilprecious75]

First of all... I have NO idea if I have posted this in the proper section so I trust a moderator will move it if needed!!

I just gave birth to my 3rd child (also 3rd boy) on the 15th of April. His delivery was my second VBAC and also was a seriously fast labour after two long labour with my other two children. First baby was 28 hours, second baby was 13 hours, this baby was 5.5 hours with delivery only 45 minutes after arriving at the hospital!!

Anyway, they discovered shortly after Daniel was born that I have separated my stomach muscles this pregnancy. They gave me a single sheet of paper explaining the condition briefly and describing two exercises to do to help the problem resolve. The physio also came in and spoke to me briefly but honestly I found out WAY more information by looking it up online.

So I guess I'm interested to know who else has had the condition... how long it took to resolve... and anything important I need to know. I'm trying to do my exercises regularly but truthfully with three kiddos now it is hard!

Any thoughts, comments, information would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Heidi

[Heaven]

I had a 9cm separation after DD2. I did the exercises when I could remember and by 4 weeks is had halved. I'm not sure when it completely fixed but it is back to normal now. Just keep up the exercises as much as you can and it should fix itself. Make sure you go back for a follow up with the physio to check how you're going

[~TT40~]

I *think* I have it now, but cant do anything about it until I give birth. I don't know much about it at all though, I do know that not only are there things you should do (like the exercises) but there are also things you shouldn't do! like sit ups etc.. so maybe sus out what you shouldn't do too.

[Shanti]

Mine took a few months especially after DD2 to get back to normal!! Mind you, I didn't do any of the exercises I was shown LOL got lazy.... naughty me.

[HotI]

Tei - There are things you can do during pregnancy to try to protect it from a larger seperation - get a tubigrip or other supportive tummy band. Do the exercises that help strengthen the core abdominal muscles.

lilprecious - if you have a large seperation, a supportive tummy band can really help stabilise your core while your tummy recovers - protects your back and abdomen.

[Ryatha]

I had a 7 cm separation with DD2 an was given the tubey grip as well and did the exercises. At 12 weeks it was down to 3 cm and was good after that. I was really careful with DS's pregnancy and only had 4 cm. I'm doing my exercises and wore my grip at the start but not now.

It feels strange just after birth but if you are careful with lifting and exercises it shouldn't have any lasting effects.

Good luck!

[lilprecious75]

Thanks for all your comments!
I will be sure to ring the physio to schedule a follow-up appointment.
One of the only things I was told in the hospital was that lifting restrictions were the same as after a c-section so I've been avoiding lifting and have only just started lifting a few things (laundry mainly) as my mother-in-law is no longer here to help.
In my online research I learned I should NOT be doing crunches or sit-ups which I don't do anyway, and to avoid twisting motions. Otherwise there hasn't been much available and I wasn't given anything to wear to help it resolve. If I wanted to buy something where would I find it?
Anyway, I appreciate everything everyone has shared and if anyone has anything extra to add I'm definitely interested in learning more!

Thanks again,
Heidi

[Yas]

I had 7cm last pg (ds2- 2nd full term pg) I still have 2cm last time I was checked which isn't too bad. This is 8m exactly PP. I am pg again so Im pretty worried about it as I haven't filly healed my stomach yet (I had a c-sec and am having issues with the scar)
I was told to do crunches and sit ups which caused me alot of pain. I'm not really sure how to get rid of it properly. I really hope it goes away soon for you! X

[Cricket]

Crunches and sit-ups without proper support are actually a big no-no for diastasis.
Google "diastasis recti" and "exercise" or something like that, and you'll come up with some good suggestions. I also pm'd a link to the OP from a mom-blogger who is going through the same thing. She shares some good information and resources. If you're interested, just let me know!

[HotI]

I was told to do crunches and sit ups which caused me alot of pain. I'm not really sure how to get rid of it properly. I really hope it goes away soon for you! X

Yas, is this correct or did you miss writing the word 'not'? cos like Cricket said these only make it worse and shouldn't be done til the seperation has healed.

i think Cricket gave me the blog address awhile back and it was really helpful to me.

[Eenee]

I'd love the blog address too

[TaRhLi.]

I still have separation 12 mths on from the twins. Although in my case it has been pretty hard to avoid lifting heavy objects - 2 babies now weighing a total of 20kg's, twin pram, 2 1/2 yr old toddler.

I wore recovery shorts for 6 mths after the twins were born and it helped to support my stomach and back but didn't help with repairing the separation. For me I think surgery is the only way my stomach muscles will get put back together, but I was pretty much 'ripped in half' carrying my boys as I carried all to the front and was measuring in comparison to 52 weeks pregnant for a singleton.

Some people are lucky and can get core strength back pretty well, but not me unfortnately...

[Yas]

Yas, is this correct or did you miss writing the word 'not'? cos like Cricket said these only make it worse and shouldn't be done til the seperation has healed.

i think Cricket gave me the blog address awhile back and it was really helpful to me.

I didn't miss the not Hoti, the GP i saw told me to do them asap ( i was only 12 days PP at the time!) I did them once at 8 weeks PP and it was agony for about 4 days.

[PumpkinZulu]

Wow that GP was so wrong! That would just make it worse

I too would like the blog address, I was 10cm from DD and never healed, no pregnant with #2.

[Cricket]

Done, and done.
I did some pilates after DS was born and that also helped. Haven't checked the damage after this new bean yet....

[Yas]

PZ- it did make it worse.

Cricket i would love the blog info too Thankyou hun

[OceanPrincess]

I recommend finding a private physio who you can see at your discretion. Don't know how hospital ones work but at my private hospital I went to a mass class and they assessed us really briefly individually before giving everyone the same exercises. They told me my separation was about 3cm. I confess - I didn't do the exercises and just wore the tubigrip. Seemed to recover I guess? Or not, I never got it followed up.

After baby #2 I had a bit more I think, maybe 3-4 fingers. I was diagnoses by a private physio when I went to see her about another issue and mentioned the separation I'd had previously. She got me doing exercises and supervised the recovery while treating my other injury. Much better than the hospital physio experience.

Make sure you find a physio that specialises in women's health or pregnancy recovery.

Wonder if I'll get it this time? How early can it start?

T, how do you know you have it now? Is that because you are a middie and can tell??

[HotI]

I was diagnosed with pregnancy #1 at about 20 weeks when i had pain in my tummy and saw a hospital physio. They got me to do a half sit up and then felt along the midline and could feel the seperation then. Do you have a tubigrip or supportive tummy band OP? I wore one for most of DS pregnancy, still wearing it now (although have had to 'shrink' it twice now).