Diastasis Recti Healing

[flyinghorses6]

Hi Everyone

I have never posted here before so I hope that it is ok to start a thread/intro. I am an active poster on both my BMB boards, but I'm seeking a larger group for hopefully more feedback.

I am due in February with DD2. DD1 is a May 2015 baby. Even after a full year and losing almost all 40 lbs of pregnancy weight I gained, my diastasis never fully healed before I got pregnant with this baby. I am pretty sure it is going to be at least as bad (probably worse) after I have this baby in 2 months, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with healing a diastasis. I have a very small umbilical hernia as well, that my OB thinks will be fine once I heal my diastasis.

Has anyone used a postpartum binder or girdle? If you have did you see benefits? Do you have one you would recommend?

I have found some online programs that pair abdominal binding with gradual exercises to help bring the abdominal muscles back together. Has anyone ever used any of these gradual workout progressions before? I know traditional core exercises make a diastasis worse, so I'm hoping following a program like this will actually work.

I have always been a pretty athletically built and fit person, and my core strength is important to me. Just looking for experience from anyone who has been there, or anyone who would have some insight with something like this.

Thanks in advance.

[dashook]

Following. My littles are 22 months apart and I never recovered either. At 12 days PP I can already tell it's worse 😕

[hpnegirl]

I've already talked to my MWs about it; I'm due in late April with DS2... Mine never closed after DS1, despite getting back to my pre-pregnancy size. I still had a 3.5 finger gap when this one was conceived and an umbilical hernia because of it.

once I deliver, I'll be given a prescription for physical therapy. At my 16 week check up, she said my abs are completely shot because of it. I need to ask about a binder but I've heard good things about them. I just don't know how effective they are for this

[lola]

I've seen mixed reviews on the binders. Some (including my doc) say they can help initially, others say extended use can impede progress and make you too dependent on them.

For those of you who have diastasis recti, how long after delivery did you realize it wasn't going to heal? Once I deliver, is there a set number of weeks I should let it heal before assessing?

[hpnegirl]

lola, I gave it three months with moderate exercise. I held out hope that it would continue to close but by 6 months, it was obvious it wouldn't. As much as I loved my OB with DS, he wouldn't recommend anything for it and just said it would always be that way.

My MWs this time around are adamant that we have a good chance of fixing it with PT, and that if we can't fix it, we can at least lessen the severity

[flyinghorses6]

Dec 5, 2016 15:55:00 GMT -5 @katerli said:

My bff had DR pretty badly. She just had surgery and her tummy now looks amazing. She tried pt and working out, but nothing worked.

This is what I'm so worried about! I looked into the MuTu method--which looks good and will keep me accountable--but my OB basically said if it's severe surgery is the only option. I'm going to work my butt off to heal it myself!!! But it's nice to know your friend had good results. The scar freaks me out a lot, and the recovery, and the pain! So fingers crossed MuTu works!

[flyinghorses6]

Dec 4, 2016 21:55:13 GMT -5 lola said:

I've seen mixed reviews on the binders. Some (including my doc) say they can help initially, others say extended use can impede progress and make you too dependent on them.

For those of you who have diastasis recti, how long after delivery did you realize it wasn't going to heal? Once I deliver, is there a set number of weeks I should let it heal before assessing?

Idk how many weeks, but I have read that it takes months (even up to a year) of diastasis friendly exercises to heal. No traditional abdominal/core exercises.