Diastisis Recti - post c section need help

[pinkbabybeck]

Hi, I had a c section in April 2011 and ever since I have had terrible lower back ache that radiates round to my stomach under my rib on my right side.
I have seen ob consultants, pain specialist, kidney specialist, physios, osteopaths, alexander technique teachers and had scans. MRIs etc etc. no one has diagnosed a problem nor been able to fix it.
I tend to get my symptoms on Tuesday and Wednesdays after sitting at my desk at work and this is much worse if I wear tights, or heels. I am now back in my maternity trousers that sit under the bump and flat shoes.
I also noticed at a wedding this weekend that if I wear a dress with no waist support and heels my stomach is in so much pain I have to go home. It gets really bloated and sticks out like I am 6 months pregnant. (Normally it is like I am 4 months pregnant). This has happened at every wedding I have been to since pregnancy and I think there must be a trend. I think it's because my trousers or jeans hold my muscles in and as soon as I wear a dress it all just falls forward and aches. When I wake up the pain has gone and I am back to normal until the next time.

I am really restricted as to what I can wear. I can't wear belts or jeans. Only elasticated leggings/jeggings or maternity trousers. And never tights!

I would really like to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences or if anyone has any advice?

I think I have muscle separation, about 2cms, and my belly button looks totally stretched and different to before.

Sorry for the rant, just finding it really hard to cope with the pain now. And definitely can't imagine ever having a second child.

Thanks
X

You do have diastisis Recti (sp?). I had twins, and yes - a 2 cm gap. They are 5 now, and I have been seeing a personal trainer this year to try and sort it out (now I 'just' have crepey tummy, and look pregnant. - but at least the actual muscles underneath are now many times better - just need to lose some flab).

You need to see a pysiotherapist - get referred. They will show you with ultrasoudn how big the gap is and show you how the different layers of muscles have split. They should give you exercises to do to help.

I did this, and in the end the only thing that worked is paying a personal trainer to help me to learn how to isolate the muscles of the stomach effectively - and very targeted exercises to strengthen the core specific to each layer of tummy muscle.

One of those support vests (spanx or equivalent) may help short term - you can get black ones that are like vest tops. There is also a book called 'lose the mummy tummy' or some such that has the exercises. I understand the pain though, poor you.

I have got diastasis recti and the only thing that's going to help me is a tummy tuck. My case is quite severe tho

you could get a belly bandit - I have it and had 2 hernias in the muscles under the Sep tummy muscles and that support saved my life.

they can give you physiotherapy which may help in less severe cases.

the tummy tuck which stitches the muscles together is interpreted in severe cases and I think they would be reluctant if you were planning on more dc.

interpreted =offered

OP, look up the MuTu program which is a workout specifically for women that have DR.

Thanks for all of your responses. I appreciate your time.
Thinking of buying some sort of support to wear around my tummy and I have read up on the Mu tu programme. Have you had any first hand experience of this showtunesgirl?

Yes but am only in the early weeks of it but I can feel things coming together and my back pain is gone due to strengthening my core!

The best thing I have to say about it is the closed facebook group where you get loads of support from others as well as the person who created the program.

MuTu however is different to Tupler which advocates binding. MuTu doesn't really agree with binding as the program wants you to teach your own muscles what to do.

isn't the MuTu programme really expensive?

No more than the usual workout boxsets I think.

Though if you are lucky to buy it around the creator's birthday, you do get a discount in percent equivalent to her age!

well i might invest in it after dc3 as i fear the damage will be considerable :/

dirtyface many of the exercises are suitable for during pregnancy and will help to strengthen your core as well as your pelvic floor.

really, well i might go for it then in the interests of damage limitation :D

Showtune - how are you getting on?

Another vote for MUTU. I also went to their "live event" in London recently. The woman who created MUTU plus other women's health experts (a fantastic physio and a nutritionist) also spoke. It was fantastic . Best of luck to you.