Does anyone wear a corset/abdominal belt for repair of diastasis recti?

[ophelia275]

I want to buy some sort of abdominal belt/support to wear whilst doing the exercises to close a diastasis recti. Most of the places that sell splints especially for diastasis recti are out of stock. Has anyone used a corset to repair diastasis recti or does anyone have any recommendations of belts that they wore as a splint?

[bunnymother]

After my twins were born, I bought and wore an abdominal binder as my stomach muscles had separated. It was great. I think I ordered it from either eBay or Amazon and it was about £35 and was flesh coloured and fastened with velcro so it could be adjusted (the latter is v important as my waist went in quite quickly. From where it was, that's no great surprise!)

[gentlemantobed]

Also thinking about this but now 10 wks since DS born - have I left it too late? Any advice greatly appreciated!

[PacificDogwood]

Are these a good idea?
Do they not defeat the purpose of strengtheing your transverse muscles rather than restricting them from the outside??
The rectus diastasis does not respond to exercise, being a ligamentous tear.

If you google 'MuTu system' you get some good advice (they also sell their DVD and personal training/coaching, but the 10 free exercises are excellent. And safe.)

[PacificDogwood]

The only way to repair a diastasis recti is surgically.
However toning the transverse (deep) muscles will bring your waist in, stabilise your core and help prevent backpain. Like when lifting increasingly heavy babies...

[ophelia275]

My youngest dc is almost 2.5! so I need something that will still work on me. Please post links to anything recommended, thank you!

[PacificDogwood]

Good, core exercises always work, no matter how much postnatal you are .

Start with consciously pulling your bellybutton towards your spine when walking, but your shoulders back and let your arms swing freely. Ideally hold your pelvic floor in at the same time. Breathe (I usually forget that bit... ).

Lots of Swiss ball exercises are good.

I got the free video and 10 exercises from MuTu last year and they are excellent. I am sure they'd work even better if I did them regularly...