Distasis recti, anyone?

[ladysif]

I have a ridiculously large distasis recti this time which I'm vainly annoyed about. I'm one of those women who will look 4 months pregnant for a LONG time post-partum because of it. My doctor told me I had it and I didn't really think anything of it at my 6 week PP visit because I didn't realize at the time how bad it was so I didn't ask any questions. I might call, but wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for healing it up. Based on Dr. Googling I think I'm going to try the Tupler technique and buy a splint but I'm curious for anyone's actual experience. TIA!

[baileybaileybne]

Yes I have this ongoing issue. Even though I did yoga before and during pregnancy because I carried all at the front I have a fairly large separation. My sister is now 4 months pregnant and it is easy to confuse people that I'm the one and I'm showing a lot for 4 months!
I attended physiotherapy and got some exercises to do but I haven't really done them enough yet. That's a major goal this week.
Essentially it's focusing on building the pelvic floor muscles up so that your abs will then have the support to pull your pelvis back in.
I wore recovery shorts for 6 weeks postpartum too. I can't say if they helped because I have nothing to compare it to.
I am hoping a concerted effort with the exercises will help it improve. I'm tall and have narrow hips so a pouch is obvious and I'm not embarrassed to say I'm too vain to just leave it be.
Egs of exercises for you: lying down - pelvic tilt, slow leg raise to butt and back down, side to side rocking with feet up to your butt.
I hope we both get results!

[junch817]

Oddly enough I was just browsing through May today and they were just discussing this. I posted on there, so I will just copy my comment, but you should read the other couple comments. I know some people do Tupler, but it seems like more people had much more success with the MuTu program and Carrie Fit and other programs, so I would look into those. Check on the FB group. Also, splinting is only temporary fix. Once you stop splinting, if your muscles aren't strong enough, they will just go back to where they were. Anyway, here is my response.

Hi all. June mom here. I got DR with my 3 year old and it got worse after this last baby. Crunches are a no no. Planks are too. Many docs don't know anything about DR. My midwife told me to do crunches - worst thing ever. My advice 1) if you have FB, join the group "Diastasis Recti Support Group". Those ladies know SO MUCH. 2) look into MuTu and/or Carrie Fit.

DR SUCKS!! My gap is 4 fingertips. Many people also have an umbilical hernia and require surgery. But for real, join the FB group and do some lurking on old posts.

[ladysif]

baileybaileybne and junch817 - thank you SO much for your replies, I am grateful. Seems I have a lot more research to do, I didn't even come across MuTu or Carriefit and didn't know to ask about physiotherapy. I will join the FB group, thank you both very much for all the resources!

Mine is five fingers and the doctor also mentioned that I have a small umbilical hernia that I can get removed when I am done having kids. My entire stomach looks awful on so many levels. My doctor was so blase when telling me that I didn't question any of it. It wasn't until I flexed what used to be some semblance of abs and saw the massive bulge pop up that I started reading about it and realizing I should be doing something! Thanks again ladies.