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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this diastasis recti?

54 replies

PishPashPop · 07/08/2020 12:59

I had my children in quick succession in 2013,2015 and 2016. I had the flu in January and lost half a stone, that spurred me on to lose another 6lb. I'm 5'2 and 8st 8lb atm.

I've just assumed I've been a bit overweight from having the DC ( heaviest was 10st ) and I have PCOS and i know that can give you a rounded stomach

But I'm at a good weight for my height now, I'm in size 8/10 clothes, I'm very flat chested, my stomach sticks out more than my chest by far

I've recently come across diastasis recti, I can fit 2 fingers in a gap above and below my belly button but there seems to be a large empty space behind my belly button

From the description I think it could be diastasis recti.... what do you think? If not what is it?

And what can I do to fix this?

I've always felt uncomfortable about my body from being a teenager, now I'm quite proud of how slim I am every where else apart from my stomach, I'm embarrassed about it

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 07/08/2020 15:26

Mine was diagnosed after I had my second baby

It was picked up during my health check before I was discharged

Did they not do a health check on you before you left hospital?

BuffaloMozzerella · 07/08/2020 16:03

My stomach sticks out since my first pregnancy but I don't have DR. I assumed it was because my muscles had all stretched or just weak generally.

diyprincess · 07/08/2020 16:27

I was just going to suggest physio or someone specialised in post natal exercise. They'll be able to diagnose and give advice. My PT said it's so common even in people who were fit and trained correctly prior and during pregnancy.

Pp are correct, no sit ups. I started rolling out of bed etc as soon as the cone shape appeared in pregnancy.

I'm guessing the skin on your stomach is just stretchy due to the weight you've lost. If you maintain your weight and eat well it should tighten up.

I'v 3DC close and I'v been so lucky in terms of there's no visible changes to pre pregnancy but I'm very weak.

gobananasgo · 07/08/2020 17:31

@Delatron 😂 I guess saying seeing a physio does help, but because getting reffered on the NHS is tricky and not everyone has the funds to go private.

I was referred to a women's physio after DC1 by my midwife ( my Doctor was very much live with it) So it was on the NHS, tummy like OP and the physio tested me and no DR. She said I had good ab strength?! My skin is very over stretched and loose, plus my posture is shocking and despite being slim weight seems to go on my tummy just in pregnancy ( normally pear shaped). I still don't accept it and I think core strengthening and "no treats" diet did really help. I've just started derma rolling to try to improve my skin, as had another DC this year, so bad starting again. So I'm rolling with a 1.5 mm wheel, but you only do it once a month so we'll see on that one.

I did Pilates after DC1 but a lot is ab work, which hurts my neck Sadand wouldn't work for DR. I've self tested after DC2 and only have 1 finger gap. What exercises can you recommend for improving core strength without an ab curl?

Original poster
PishPashPop · 07/08/2020 18:22

Hi thank you for the replies

I know a professional will be able to give me the best advice but I don't feel like I can go to the GP about this considering everything going on with the virus ect

I've just watched a few videos on how to actually check and theres a definite gap from above my belly button down past my belly button

Previously I had only read how to measure for disastic, i was measuring width across my stomach, not length Blush

I meant my heaviest weight was 10st Grin my heaviest baby was only 7lb 1

Newmumtobe7654 yes and it sort of dips towards the end, I've included a pic

Oh God could sit ups of made this worse? I went to a martial arts class twice a week for 6 months before the virus. Sit ups were a part of every lesson

Did they not do a health check on you before you left hospital? They probably did, but my youngest is 4 in november so I can't remember that far back, I had a traumatic birth with him too so only remember small bits from having him

My youngest was tiny though, he was induced due to IUGR

OP posts:
Original poster
PishPashPop · 07/08/2020 18:24

The picture was me leaning far back to take it too but it doesn't look like it Blush

OP posts:
Trashtara · 07/08/2020 18:32

Now is a great time to go to a GP, most are quiet!

Delatron · 07/08/2020 18:35

Sit ups can make it worse unfortunately.

Good exercises to strengthen the TVA (deep core muscles) are:

On hands and knees, hips level. Draw belly button to spine and lift and lengthen the opposite arm and leg (your core works to stabilise your pelvis) so arm is in line with shoulder, leg in line with hip.

No crunches. You can lie on your back with legs bent and lift your leg up to table top position and tap back down and switch. It’s called Pilates scissors (the easy version).

You want to strength your transverse abdomonis (TVA). This is a deep core muscle that wraps around your spine and acts like a corset.

You avoid the outer abdominals for now (Rectus Abdominis). So no crunches, sit ups, planks).

Original poster
PishPashPop · 07/08/2020 18:37

I've been trying to get a face to face appointment for a suspected nasal polpy and swollen glands for the past 8 weeks with mine, I've had 4 telephone consultations and the first 3 times they kept telling me to see how I felt in 2 weeks time. It was only after a rant to the GP on the last phone call that they've prescribed saline drops for my nose and said if that doesn't work they'll refer me to an ENT. So I'm not holding out much hope that they'll help me with this issue

I've been wanting to change GPs these past 8 weeks but I don't know if doctors will be taking on new patients with what's happening

OP posts:
Natalie654321 · 07/08/2020 18:43

I went to the doctors recently and they told me it was diastasis recti that I have (you can compare on my pic from a previous post) from the photos it looks similar to what I have :(

Original poster
PishPashPop · 07/08/2020 18:44

Delatron Thank you, so its core muscle exercises I need to be doing?

I constantly breathe in my stomach because I'm embarrassed about it, I was looking at waist trainers the other day wondering if they would work but if theres something i can buy that's specifically for it then I'll definitely give it a try

Sounds silly but should I carry on breathing in and holding it in or will this make it worse?

I was with my abusive ex for over 7 years and have only started feeling confident about my body these past few months. I look ok when I breathe in but I shouldn't have such a large stomach for my frame.

Thank you for the replies I really appreciate the advice

Do you think I'll be able to make it better?

OP posts:
Delatron · 07/08/2020 18:54

Yes it’s fine to breathe in and hold for a few seconds. That’s a safe exercise that is recommended just after birth just so you can find and try and activate the deep core. So when I am taking about ‘core’ I don’t mean the 6 pack abs I mean the deep muscle that wraps around the spine like a corset. It’s hard to explain!

So practice drawing your belly button in towards the spine and hold. As you do this tuck the tailbone under slightly. You can also do this lying down.

BuffaloMozzerella · 07/08/2020 22:05

There are some great accounts on Instagram and you tube which help you learn how to engage your deep core effectively. Have a look at the Bloom method on Instagram.

I would say it would be worth getting assessed first though.

doadeer · 07/08/2020 22:20

Can you afford to see a Physio?

doadeer · 07/08/2020 22:21

Sorry pressed send too quick.

It's really good to get the professional advice so they can diagnose then show you the positions as described by @Delatron. I do one to one pilates and it's so technical!! But great when you make progress

Original poster
PishPashPop · 09/08/2020 10:04

Delatron

Thank you so much. I thought I replied to this the other day but must not of pressed send. I have been practising the exercise you said above and have watched a few videos. Is there a limit on how often I should be doing the exercises?

doadeer No I don't think I could afford physio and I highly doubt my GP will refer me. I'm thinking about switching GP's though as I've had many issues with the GP I'm with now.

OP posts:
Aquicknamechange2019 · 09/08/2020 10:17

It looks like DR to me too - I'm not an expert but had a 4 finger separation myself after DC3. I used Mutu, it's fantastic. It's now recommended by the NHS. And I no longer have DR :) sadly my stomach isn't flat but that's because I'm currently expecting DC4!

JacksCreation · 09/08/2020 15:20

@Aquicknamechange2019

I'm interested in MuTu but not on Facebook at all. I wasn't sure how good it is so it's good to hear from someone who has actually used it.

If you don't mind me asking, how much does it cost?

JacksCreation · 09/08/2020 15:22

Also (please don't laugh!) but would a hula hoop help me or prove to be the wrong type of exercise and make it worse?

I almost have no feeling in my lower abs and have had multiple abdominal surgeries so imagine it's quite damaged internally.

Delatron · 09/08/2020 19:25

@PishPashPop Little and often is key!

MiraWard77 · 09/08/2020 22:12

I've had a read around and have just paid for MuTu.

I used the code NHS20 to get 20% off, and instead of spending another £37 on their kit I bought the same stuff on Amazon for about £15.

With the discount it's about £73 at the moment. Which is similar to one physio appointment, two cheap ones? And I can't find a women's health/DR/pelvic specialist in the region.

I suppose I just have to actually do it now!

PowerslidePanda · 09/08/2020 22:31

@JacksCreation - I'm not in any way an expert, but recently researched hula hoops myself in this context (and did then buy one), so just passing on some things I learned that may be useful...

I came across several women say that it was the only thing that made a difference to their tummy, but you do need to do it for at least 10 minutes every day for it to have an effect. You will not be able to jump straight into that - it's normal for it to cause bruises initially, and I was so tender that I had to wait a few days in between. So given what you said about internal damage, in your situation it's probably worth getting some medical advice first. The bruising and tenderness does gradually improve though.

I've not been using it long enough to see any effects myself yet, but am happy to report back in a few weeks, if you're not in any hurry!

JacksCreation · 10/08/2020 12:06

Thanks @PowerslidePanda - yes there's no danger of me managing ten minutes without some good practise!

I was also thinking of dusting off my Nintendo wii as that had a good hula hoop challenge on the wii fit I seem to remember.

I went to the supermarket to get some bits and meant to get a hula hoop but forgot!

JacksCreation · 10/08/2020 12:08

Oh my lord, just googling this and there's weighted hoops? Amazing! Not sure if a 79p one from b&m will cut the mustard now!

PowerslidePanda · 10/08/2020 13:38

Haha, if you did it as a a kid, it'll come back to you quickly Smile

Yeah, the fitness hoops are weighted - I think it's that which causes the bruising!

Interesting point about the Wii - I've got one somewhere too...