Diastasis rectus - questions...

[STARRYSKY]

After DS was born I was left with a lot of residual swelling which slowly went away, but because of this in the hospital I had a midwife tell me she "thought" I had a bit of separation, then another tell me no, I didnt, then another tell me, yes, I did.
I was so drugged up and out of it at the time I never attended the in hospital physio sessions where this was discussed and sorted out.

my Post Partum checkup with the MCHN midwife, I was told, yes there is some separation, no one has ever said how much or said to do anything about it.
my 6 six week check up at the hospital I asked the Ob about it, she got me up on the bed and said, yep, separation, dont do any situps or strenuous exercise...she also showed me how to check for it and said it should fix itslef up.

so....its now 18 months later, I can fit 3 finger widths in the space behind my belly button, between the two muscles, is that normal?

I found a website with some gentle toning exercise designed for this problem but TBH they dont seem to be doing anything.
As I also had a c sect I have quite a bit of droopy flesh on my tummy (the lovely overhang ) but to look at in the mirror, its like I can SEE the two sides that are drooping down as well , hard to explain really...

anyway, should I go see someone about this? Thinking about TTC number 2 sometime soonish and it has been playing on my mind a bit.
Would a trip to the GP be beneficial or a specialist of some sort? Is this a bad thing, really?
I just dont really know a whole lot about it.
TIA.

[STARRYSKY]

Anyone.....?

[Curly]

I'd be going to a postnatal physiotherapist, you won't need a referral. It sounds to me like everyone expected that it should fix itself and from what you say it hasn't.

I had this after DD but mine did fix itself. The hospital I went to had a physio come around to give me a free assessment (they did this for all the new mums) and I was told that if the gap hadn't narrowed in 6 weeks to make an appointment with the physio.

[HotI]

Hi

I subscribed to this thread but only now got time to reply.

I have a DRAM and saw the physio during pregnancy, after the birth and have follow up in a few weeks. I was told it is important to try to repair it as much as poss before getting pregnant again, because it will prob return with the next pregnancy, and the gap has potential to get larger if it hasn't repaired from the 1st pregnancy.

However, i can recall something about a gap of 4 fingers being the cut-off for something, and if less than this they not so concerned. I can't remember if this is just after birth or long-term.

Post-birth i had a gap of 6 fingers, and not sure what it is at the moment. I have a tummy band of bandage material that supports the tummy, and some basic exercises. When i go back aat 6 weeks post partum thephysio said i will get more exercises to do.

I reckon it would be beneficial for you to see a physio, preferably at the women's hospital, or one who knows maternity issues. prior to getting pregnant. they can also advise on how to reduce the DRAM in your next pregnancy.

take care,

kate

[Indadhanu]

I have a finger-width separation 21 months after birth I went to the physio 6 weeks after, got all the exercises, but nothign really did anything since it was that wide 19 months ago I must not be doing the core exercises right or something Am going back to see the physio when I can arrange a time. I recommend you see a physio too o

[HotI]

Hi

I went to a DRAM clinic at the hospital run by the physios. The clinic was for women 6 weeks post partum (i was a bit early). The physio said that it was not uncommon for women to have a 1 finger gap pre-pregnancy. I think she was saying 1 to 2 finger separation after 6 weeks was ok, and any more than this just needed more follow up.

She also said to try incorporate exercises into everyday, but especially next pregnancy do exercises to strengthen core muscles early to try to prevent greater seperation.

Starrysky, given that you have a 3 finger gap (unless you have small fingers), sounds like it would be worth checking it out with a physio.

cheers