thread: Separated tummy muscles!

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    Separated tummy muscles!

    Yes well we've all got them but I was wondering what organs lie beneath and are they vital bits that are only protected by a layer of skin! I've got a 3 finger wide gap there and no fat to pad me out ( yeah yeah I know I'm a scrawny chick ).

    Caleb was standing on my lap yesterday and I got a toe just above my belly button and OMG it hurt like hell.

    This morning it is still really tender and it's got me thinking what he's kicked. Any ideas?

  2. #2
    Claire Guest

    I think the separation will affect the strength in you back muscles and there are ways to protect the separation and give it time to join back together, do you get back pain when doing the washing up?

    There's intestines behind there if I remember rightly; your liver, gallbladder and stomach are under your rib cage.

    I had a 4 finger gap that did mesh back together but now I am pregnant it's already starting to separate and I can get 2 fingers in there.
    Last edited by Claire; May 9th, 2007 at 11:13 AM. : spelling

  3. #3
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    No, not everyone gets it. Apparently the more quickly your tummy expands, the more likely it is to happen. Mine didn't separate with my first pg, but did with my second (and boy did my tummy expand quickly second time - I didn't put on much weight but my tummy was huge). If it does happen, you are limited in the exercises you can do for the first 8 weeks or so, and need to be careful lifting etc. Then Pilates type exercises are a good way to fix it, sometimes in bad cases surgery is required.

  4. #4

    Mine actually seperated during the labour with Lachlan. Sammi to help them mesh quickly i was recommend to lay on my back and pretend to ride a bicycle every night for a while. I never had any trouble of them re-seperating during my pregnancy and birth of Ashton.

    Love

  5. #5
    BellyBelly Member

    Jun 2005
    Sydney
    2,121

    I had a fist width separation after my 2nd baby. Ive been told by my dr (whilst pregnant) that i have another wide separation. I havent had any trouble with them re-seperating either, i found after DD#2 they did slowly move back together - with the help of exercises....

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    I thought every one had tummy muscle separation. Everyone IRL that I know has it!

    I do pilates and they haven't closed much at all yet, but they did close back together between bubs so I've got my fingers crossed.

    So any nurses out there that can tell me what lies beneath and is hurting? It's still sore but not enough to warrant $$$ at the Drs

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2004
    Hunter Valley, Wine Country, NSW
    3,006

    How do you know if your muscles have separated?

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Nov 2004
    Giving the gift of life to a friend..
    4,264

    Mine didnt with Maddy, but when pushing withy Indah they did & I was told the day after her birth (approx 10hours after her birth actually) that they were 2 fingers apart & they gave me some booklet to read along with 5 million other pamphlets & forms & so i never read anything... So have no idea of what helps???

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2005
    Down by the ocean
    6,110

    Dee lay on the floor with your knees bent and try to do a sit up. Stop half way when your shoulders are just off the floor. If you poke your fingers gently into where your tummy muscles meet you can feel if they have separated.
    I've got a good 3 finger wide gap there.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    7,046

    The small and Large intestines are both in that location. The small intestine is more in the centre and the large intestine "snakes" around the outside of that - if that makes any sense...

    MG

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Feb 2006
    Eastern 'Burbs
    716

    Yes you are a scrawny chicken my dear!

    Surely everyone gets the separation?! How could you not? I was told to do sit ups, but with my arms crossed and holding my tummy sides in while I did them (not sure why...). I did sit ups for weeks and there's no separation nowadays. No 6 pack either though!