Is this seperated muscle?

[STARRYSKY]

Hi lilydust, to check if its the separated muscles in your belly, lie flat on the ground (or bed) and just lift your head and neck up, feel with your fingers around your belly button, you will be able to feel if there is a gap. There are a few quite gentle exercises you can do to help it, I have been doing these for awhile with some success, I just googled diastasis rectus.

[Lily Dust]

Thanks sooooo much for replying girls I was starting to get concerned there was something really wrong! Will lie down and definatly check it then find some exercises. If it doesnt help off to the Physio.

Thanks, glad someone else has had it too!!!

[chocolatecatty]

Just don't do sit ups! That can permanently damage your tummy muscles if it is the DRAM thing (diastasis rectus), which it sounds like it is. Everyone gets separated tummy muscles after having a bub, but the extent can vary. I think two fingers width is normal adn anything beyond that requires a physio. I'm suprised your midwives/mchn didn't check yours just after the birth? Though maybe they did, you've prob forgotton..I see your bub is 9 months! It's important to work on getting your muscles back together, spech if you're planning another baby. I never worked on mine properly after bub #2 and as a result had far worse back pain during my third pregnancy.

[Lily Dust]

Thanks chocolatecatty....thats the kind of advice I love I know for a fact the midwives never checked me after birth, but unfortunately that doesnt suprise me. The Dr told them I needed my stitches checked daily until I left hospital and they never looked at those either