Mummy tummy - is it just laziness or a hernia and do I need an operation?

[Chestnut99]

My DC2 is 2 and I still have a 2-3 finger gap in my stomach muscles and a mummy tummy pot belly. My stomach muscles often ache with a defined area of pain above my waist and it's very uncomfortable if I have a big meal. I do Pilates once a week but it isn't a focused post-natal class (and I don't think the teacher has post-natal training), although I do protect myself and sit out the exercises where I can feel the strain/bulge in my tummy. I sometimes feel an improvement for a while but it usually reverts.

Am I just lazy and need to do more/better exercise, or is this now a medical problem and do I need an operation to close the gap? I have always assumed I could sort this out myself (as I did after DC1) but am beginning to wonder if I need to see my GP about this ...

[abitwrong123]

diastasis recti! You can close the gap with exercise, have a look at this thehealthyhoneys.com/know-diastis-recti/

[Chestnut99]

I actually have the Tupler book and it definitely helps but it only controls the gap, not closes it, so as soon as I get lazy/busy/forget to do the seated exercises on the train, it just opens up again and I am back to square 1. Hence wondering if is time to see the GP?

[Chestnut99]

Bump

[mylifeisgood]

Go see the doctor, especially as it is hurting sometimes.
The NHS will not do anything about the appearance though, only carry out surgery to put in some gauze or something to prevent a hernia.

[ROUNDandROUNDINCIRCILESMORETHA]

Sympathise. Been having really sharp pains in abdomen and now tonight starting under my ribs. Might not be same thing but do see your gp. It may be the pilates is making it worse too if there is a hernia :(