Anyone had Abdominal muscle separation/ tent tummy??

[hilltop666]

Startd this thread in pregnancy but got no responses hopefully u ladies can help me??

Im 32wks and currently sitting with an ice pack on my belly, been having a burning feeling in my stomach under my bra and above my belly button for a few days now, so googled it today - and it sounds exactly like Diastasis recti/ abdominal separation.

When I go from lying down to sitting up using my somach muscles a massive ridge forms down the centre of my bump to my belly button its like the roof of a house or tent. So basically I think my stomach muscles have split right down the middle so there's a gap between them.

Will check with midwife when i'm back in 2wks to see what she thinks, but I am basically scareing the life out of myself with the thought of what it is going to look like after I give birth, thanks to google images it looks like you permantly stay looking still about 6 months pregnant after giving birth.

I understand my body will never be the same again after childbirth (was size 8/10 before) just dont want this massive bulge forever, there is a book by Julie Tupler thats supposed to work wonders but am still worried I will always have it, plus I am bridesmaid in a slinky dress about 2 months after labour.

Does anyone else have this now or did anyone have this before labour and it turned out to not be so bad after??

I had my DS 6 weeks ago. My tummy muscles separated, which was confirmed by my MW when she checked my tummy after birth. My tummy is now flat (ish) and I was in pre-preggars jeans within a couple if weeks ( size 10/12). I can feel a small gap between my muscles if I press on my tummy and will start doing the recommended exercises soon. Hope this reassures you.

I've had this twice. Make sure your midwife checks the muscles after the birth, I was given tubey grip bandage to wear, exercises to do and the first time a physio referral. The exercises worked the first time and seem to be doing so this time as well. At my 6 week check GP said all was ok and if I can just stop eating chocolate I may get my flattish tummy back . I had no real pain with mine so I'd mention that to your mw. Good luck.

Mine seem to have separated already and I'm only 29 weeks. It's no problem. I did lots of pilates after ds2 and ds3 and managed to get back to a flattish tummy too. I started off with the Pilates for Mums DVD by Lindsey Jackson, which says when it's safe to do each exercise, and has modified exercises for new mums. I then moved on to Darcey Bussell later.

But stop sitting up using your stomach muscles as it's not going to help them at this point - you should sit up by rolling onto your side first.

Mine separated. DD2 is 10 weeks old now and my stomach is pretty much back to normal. They might refer you to physio after the birth but not always. They refered me but in the end the muscles just went back on their own, which is usually the case unless you get an umbilical hernia, like someone I know, which requires an operation.

Mine separated. I was back into pre-pregnancy clothes to leave hospital when DS was 3 days old. He's now 2 weeks and I can feel about a finger width of gap but I've gently been working the transverse abs when lying on my back (typically with DS on my chest) and will be asking for specific exercises at my 6 week check.

Abdominal separation doesn't mean you'll permanently 6 months pregnant :)

aw thanks ladies most of your stories are v positive- got a few replies over on pregnancy and the interesting think is most of them said it took a good 6 months or more.

Went to doc today and he comfirmed it- says it 2 fingers atm (2 of his massive fingers) told me to do crunches by just lifting head and legs when lying flat but ive seen on most websites this makes it worse - so think im gonna ignore him

hopefully with a bit of work I can look half normal for my friends wedding [optimistic smiley]

at your doctor! Surely that's the worst thing you can do? When you're lying down, to get up roll on your side first as doing a 'sit-up' to sit up can make it worse.

I had a smallish separation when I was pg and was pretty shaken up about it but was already doing ante-natal pilates so exercises there plus modifying the way I was moving - like an earlier poster said, always roll to the side and try to never ever use your stomach muscles at all - it went back together within a few weeks and whilst I was still pg. I just started post-natal pilates and had it confirmed that I have no separation at all now. Which made me very happy as I haven't been taking it easy at all and was a bit worried!

I was back in jeans 2 weeks after the baby, swimming and pilates after 7 weeks (DVD not teacher), running after 9 weeks and proper pilates class now at 11 weeks. I had a c-sec so not expecting my tummy ever to be the same, though it is relatively flat when I pull it in so sort of back to pre-pg levels. I look ok in clothes, not so great without

I thought everyone's abdominal muscles separated when pregnant? Mine certainly did. And I'm fairly sure that the very last thing you should do is any kind of sit up while you are still pregnant (and for quite some time postnatally). At least, that's what every yoga teacher (antenatal and postnatal) I've had has ever said.

The good news is that mine went back to normal, no "tent tummy" after a while (can't remember how long - probably a few months rather than weeks or days). But you still have to be very gentle and careful with using your tummy muscles after giving birth. I'd speak to your midwife or health visitor rather than your GP - it definitely sounds like odd advice to me.

Mine separated, and have never quite gone back together. I did have triplets though!

Mine separated and went back together. Doing sit-ups in a big no-no though! And turn on to your side before you get up from sitting.

stupid advice from your gp you are doing the right thing to ignore it.

Mine did and my doctor was rubbish -- never suggested any exercises or gave any help at all. I found the Tupler book all by myself after DC5 was born and it helped tremendously.

DO NOT DO THOSE CRUNCHES. .

Aren't they supposed to do this? Mine have that tent effect if tensing belly or getting up wrong....

I had this with both my previous pregnancies and it's happened again this time at 24 weeks (the burning is really uncomfortable). I am pre-pregnancy size 10 and fairly fit and my stomach muscles went back together within a couple of weeks of giving birth with DD1 and within about 6 weeks of giving birth with DD2. Pilates, breastfeeding and running around after my dcs seem to get mine back together again.

I am 39, however, so think I might invest in the Tupler book this time round (thanks for the tip) and have ordered a belly band for after I deliver to pull everything back together .

Oh... posted too soon. Agree with other posters, don't do any crunches at all before or afterwards. It's completely the wrong exercise. The muscles need to pull back together not strengthen. AFTER you deliver, you can help them back together by doing lots of full kegels (in other words clenching your bits plus pulling your stomach muscles tense for a few seconds. The laziest and best exercise in the world.