I have a spearated abdomen, also called 'Diastasis Recti'

[honeydew]

After giving birth to my third child a year ago, I have a post partum condtion known as 'Diastasis Recti' which means my abdomen has separated due to pressure on it from my uterus. I have had large babies in quick sucession. I have had 1 vaginal birth and 2 sections (1 emergency) I have to have major surgery next year as my body will not heal anymore by itself. My abdomnen needs stitching back together, my umbilical hernia popped back in and I get a free tummy tuck thrown in! I still look 4 months pregnant, have to wear large flowing tops or maternity clothes and am often in pain.It's not easy when you have three children of four and under to care for! My surgeon says he sees cases like mine every other week. Is there anyone else who suffers from this debilitating problem and what have been your experiences?

hi there, i also have dr, albeit just a 2 finger gap that runs for about 10cm. This was originally 6 fingers width but have managed to get it down. For me its two things that bother me. The first is how it looks, i have managed to lose 4 stone after my pregnancy and rest of body is fine but stomach is a mess with overhang, loose skin and a general pregnancy look :( First thing in the morning its not too bad but as soon as i eat anything poof, i look about 6 months pregnant. Secondly is the pain, i cant take the back ache and hip pain caused by it. Drs recommended painkillers but thats not treating the problem, just masking the symptoms. Have accepted that not likely the nhs is going to pay to fix this so am seriously thinking about paying for it privately and wondered if anyone else had had this done private and what the costs were? I am "needing" my stomach muscles repaired and excess skin removed :)

Hello Everyone,
When I first came across this page i had to fight back the tears, firstly just pure relief that im not alone , secondly i felt so sad to see so many of you with the same problem who felt the same about their bodies as i feel about mine :@(
I have two daughters age 4yrs and 2yrs (nearly 3yrs,they are 15 months apart) and they were both big babies,my first was 8lb 9 and my second was 11lb 1 (both emergancy c-sections) but i look like im still heavily pregnant, and im often asked when im due! :@(
Until now i had no idea that the hip and back pain and the "bump" had anything to do with the parted muscle,i just thought i am fat and the pains were weight related, i didnt know you could "knit your muscles back together as my Doctor told me the only option would be to have a tummy tuck after i lost some weight so that has been what my goal for the last yr!
Thank you all so much, you have all really helped more than you could ever know xxx

Just a little update, I have received a letter from the plastic surgeon saying that it does sound as though i need abdominoplasty but due to tight funding restrictions for this procedure on the nhs it would be unlikely that I would be granted it, however he has agreed to see me to discuss further and assess me. I am due to see him on 14th of july which seems forever away but at least I get to see him.
Sarah133 I know how you feel about finding this page, I felt like a freak before i read this as everyone i know who has had children just seem to bounce back to normal shape, at worse have a little bit of flab, but to still look pregnant after 3 years its soul destroying,

x

Hi there, I'm a specialist personal trainer who deals with diastasis recti queries daily from all around the world - I hope I can help! I'm at mutusystem.com if you want to find my site which has tonnes of free information, but I've popped on here as a fellow mum who can hopefully answer some of your questions, not to sell you anything! Sit ups and crunches will make a diastasis worse. There is a lot of confusion, but basically 1-2 fingers gap is usually not a problem, but you should still stay away from sit ups. You still need to keep the deeper abdominal muscles strong to support your back. Up to about 4 fingers is definitely regarded a diastasis, & needs corrective exercise. More than 4 fingers is regarded as quite a severe diastasis... & also needs corrective exercise! Sometimes a diastasis is associated with a hernia, & a hernia cannot be repaired with exercise - its needs surgery (when they usually sew up the diastasis for good measure!). There are occasions when a diastasis alone can be too wide to respond completely to exercises, in which case surgery is an option. They literally sew the 2 halves of muscles together down the midline. This leaves a big, vertical scar from breastbone to pubic bone. Or if you have the muscles sewn as part of a full tummy tuck op, then the scar will be a big ?smile? on the same site as a c-section scar but much wider. Even if your gap is quite wide, I always recommend you go for corrective exercise first to avoid being cut open if at all possible! The vast majority of cases can be corrected with the right exercise... but like I said, if there is a hernia present, you will definetly need surgery if you want it fixed. If you have sharp pain, an ?outie' belly button & a protrusion that is tender & painful to touch or gentle squeeze, an umbilical hernia is likely to be present. Hope that helps! PS There's a video of how to test yourself on the mutusystem YouTube channel.

I was left in the same postion after having my first child. He weighed 10lb 3 and was delivered by c section. I had excess fluid and my fundal measurement was 54 cm on my due date. My baby, uterus, fluid and placenta weighed almost 3 stone. I had previously always had quite strong abdominal muscles and was really upset when my belly didn't go down after weeks. I was left with a belly that looks like i'm 6 months pregnant and people even asked if i'd 'had the baby get?' and 'when's the next one due?' I am so embarrassed by it that it has left me hiding away at home most of the time. And i have backache and stomach ache most of the time. My muscles are so useless now and i am finding it really hard to deal with the massive difference in my body's strength, I used to play sport 4/5 times a week, now i can't do this. My belly button looks hidious and i have a hang over the top of an almost flat non existent belly button. I have also been left with a massive apron so the profile of my body looks totally strange and i can't even hide it with loose tops. I demanded seeing a consultant after my doctor basically telling me I should 'get over it'. But i was told i couldn't have physio or surgery and that i needed to get private help if i wanted to deal with it. I have a 6 finger gap and can feel my organs in the gap. I have just given birth to my second child 10lb and I carried even larger than the first time. I have my 6 week check up soon and have changed doctors so I will be trying again to get something done. I really don't believe anyone that hasn't suffered from this can truely believe how much this condition affects your life. Please let me know if you got surgery for the condition and what regions/areas you live in as it seems to affect the decision. thanks

Again wouldn't wish the condition onto anyone but it is a relief to hear others experiences!

I have an umbilical hernia along with diastasis and wondered if anyone got their original body shape back themselves, ie without surgery?

If so did you achieve it with physio or by doing exercises at home?

From what I've read it seems surgery is the only way if you have both things...

I am fascinated by reading all your stories. I, too, have an umbilical hernia and a very large diastasis. I have four children, oldest is 21 and youngest 13. When I asked my GP if anything could be done, she told me to go away and lose weight !! It was actually a podiatrist last year who told me to go see someone about it as she had thought I was pregnant and I had responded by saying I was just fat. I turned 50 last year so being thought pregnant was really awful. Since then, I am asked that almost every week, twice this week !!
After a lot of time and effort I am now getting my problem sorted next week but not, unfortunately, including a tummy tuck. I am really looking forward to not looking seven months pregnant any more. Its been hell and now that I'm diabetic, recovery may take longer but I can't wait for the new me !! Wish me luck and take heart all you who have yet to be sorted, just dont let your GP fob you off - it CAN be fixed!

I have a huge hernia and split muscles and very saggy skin. I have an almost 3 year old and 14 month old non identical twins who were over 7lb each when they were born.
When i initially went to my doctors she just thought i was moaning i was fat after having my babies. It wasn't until i lifted up my top and slightly tilted back that she saw this huge ridge down my front, and she immediately then understood what i was trying to say. I broke down in tears as i can not stand to look at myself in the mirror and i have not let my husband see me naked or near me either.
The Doctor referred me to a Surgeon, and i saw one of his junior people, who was not really helpful at all. I've got an appointment with the Consultant himself (or so i am told) at the end of the Sept. So i will make notes from this thread of the things i need to ask, and i hope they will be able to fix my saggy skin too.

bigjan, are you still around? How did you get on?

I'm so relieved I've found these messages - and that there arent a flood of 'know it alls' claiming that this shouldnt be done on the NHS.

I have had three large babies within 5 years, the latest one a year ago and was previously a size 10. I'm now a 12 but my stomach is 18 which makes buying/wearing clothes very distressing. I have diastasis recti and look 6 months pregnant. I havent returned to work yet due to postnatal depression which has knocked me for six, I dont feel the person I used to be, and more importantly to me, I dont resemble physically the person I used to be.

My doctor has said that specific stomach excercises will do little to improve the appearance of my disgusting stomach. I walk every day once the children have gone to bed to keep the rest of my body toned, and am very happy with everything else. But, due to me being on my feet all day, and walking in the evenings, I'm getting dreadful lower back pain, my doctor has said it's due to me not having the support in my stomach.

I have to wear maternity clothes as 'normal' clothes just dont fit, and am constantly in tears when people ask when I'm due.

The NHS wont accept me due to cash restrictions, and my private health care has rejected my request as they see it as a cosmetic procedure.

I disgust myself when I catch a reflection, I dont let my husband anywhere near me, and have lost many friends due to not wanting to socialise. All this with trying my utmost to combat postnatal depression is proving too much. If I didnt love my children so much I'd end it all, I'm so low.

I found this thread after searching and searching the web for any advice about DR.

I have two children, 8 and 4 and was diagnosed with DR and a hernia after visiting a physio at my local maternity unit. I referred myself. This was AFTER my doctor examined me at the 8 week postnatal check-up and said I was ok to start gentle exercises (no mention of DR). The physio couldn't believe I had a hernia and said I should re-visit my doctor to see if it needed surgery. He said no.

I started doing the recommended exercises given to me by the physio at the maternity unit and gradually the gap reduced to about 3 fingers width. However, I just can't get it to close any further and have recently started getting pains, some quite severe.

I went back to my doctor and he referred me to a consultant (private) and he said if I had the hernia op it wouldn't necessarily work and if it didn't, the problem would be worse than before with no chance of a further repair. I'd also be left with a big vertical scar.

I still look about 5 months pregnant, have no self-esteem and hate letting my husband see me naked. I just feel fat. I also have continuing back problems; the last bout took 3 months of physiotherapy to put right.

I'm totally fed up and just want my life back. I really don't know how to go about getting it sorted.

Any advice would be appreciated. :)

Hi tracks.
I just found this thread.
I actually saw a surgeon today about get my DR fixed and they told me they won't do it, as apparently it won't work and i could be left in a worse position than what i am in now!
They said there is no fix for it. I would say my gap is about 5 fingers wide. It's ridiculous.
I look like i am heavily pregnant i'd say about 6-7 months and i'm not!! I'm always getting asked when the baby is due and it is so embarrassing to say no i'm not. I too can't bear my husband to see me naked and I wear a lot of lose shirts and tops that don't cling.
I have a 3 year old and I also I have twins who are 17 months old and they weighed over 7lb EACH when born!! There we a boy and girls so i had two waters, placenta etc... :-o

I am going to seek a second opinion as i just feel they didn't give a about my feelings and how it is effecting me. No mater how much weight i lose i will always look pregnant as the bulge will never go, it will probably show more!

I was a nice size 14 when i fell pregnant with twins and now i have to wear size 18 to cover the bulge and mainly maternity tops to get the length to cover it. It's so depressing.

I am going to do lots of research and find people who have had the op, so i can go back fully armed with lots of info and cases of where surgery has made a difference. I really hope i can find someone to do it.

I hope no one minds me (as a non -sufferer of this horrible condition - well, I probably have a one-finger gap which I've never quite got around to addressing) jumping in to say that this site might be worth a look for some of you.

I've remembered seeing Julie Tupler mentioned on other threads - if you search on MN there's a lot of references to her technique.

Apologies if it's not appropriate - just wanted to flag it up in case it's of some use to someone.

Thank you for the link. It sounds and looks interesting. My Gp has referred me for a second opinion with a Surgeon but if i can do it without Surgery then all the more better! :o)

I found this thread totally by accident but I have been so moved I just have to post some information as I have a good friend who had a five finger separation and she swears the Tupler Technique saved her from surgery - as I remember she had to wear a belt like thing and do special exercises for about 15 minutes everyday but when she started seeing positive results she was spurred on and the surgical alternative is so scary. I guess it's worth looking into before surgery if you can? My friend found it in The UK, from a company called Tummy Tribe. Good luck to you all xx

Hi all
Just wondered how you all got on.

I've been to the docs today after being fed up of my pointed tummy.
I'm 2 fingers separated. My youngest is almost 4 :(

Doc sending me for physio. Surgery not really an option.

Stace

Hi all,

I wanted to update with my experience in case it helps as I have found this thread so useful in my research.

I had DD in 2008 and though a size 10/12 had a very floppy pooch belly that hung right down and didn't go like all the other mum's tums... Nobody picked up what it was until my lovely h/v said at 2 wks post partum 'that isn't normal, go to the GP and get a referral to physio' - sounds blunt but I was so relieved to have someone acknowledge it. It hurt when I got out of bed every feed and in the morning! I went to a (male) GP who basically said i was 3wks post post partum and to give it time, his wife had had three and went back to normal (oh thanks for that!) but did the referral. Saw physio on NHS who directed me to exercises that helped minimise the gap though not recommended by Julie Tupler. I probably ended up with a 2 finger gap around and above the navel, though closed below well.

We put off having DC2 for a while as physio had told me it would happen again and worse with each pregnancy, but finally conceived DS in Aug 2010. By this time I had found Tupler technique from this thread and ordered the book to use after the birth so felt a bit positive. My bump grew to epic and uncomfortable proportions despite input from a physio in early weeks as I asked the GP to refer me when getting bad back pain, knowing it would get worse. Physio was young and obviously knew little about it; exercises were of little use once I got to 10wks and was sporting a bump.

DS came out by CS at 8lb 9oz, one midwife spotted my ginormous belly on day 2 and I said I was aware but she brilliantly got physio to come quickly and issued me a lovely tubigrip for my middle; I think they measured it as 7 finger width!!! I went home and gradually started Tupler exercises though not as much as she recommends. But soon I was feeling blue and DH made me go to a recommended private physio for help: was a great idea as he had time and motivation to help which NHS didn't... We made progress but around 12 wks I stalled and despite doing 30mins a night of Tupler based exercises and others using the core, could not improve on a 3.5 finger gap. Lovely physio referred me to a colleague who specialises in pregnant related physio, who had a quick feel and said she thought the connective tissue was stretched beyond repair with exercise and to ask GP for referral to surgeon.

GP this time was a nice lady who promptly referred me to a general surgeon who diagnosed me as possibly having a hernia and said NHS won't repair DR on it's own, but they could repair hernia with keyhole surgery and mesh. Thanks to this thread I knew not to accept that, burst into tears and said I wanted to get the whole thing fixed as it had such an effect on my life (tears were not just a ploy!). He referred me to a plastic surgeon, in neighbouring health trust.

I saw a trainee plastic surgeon as there'd been a cockup and the consultant was in theatre, so he didn't know entirely what I was on about but took notes, and photos. I left thinking I was at the start of a long battle to get the abdominoplasty (tummy tuck and DR repair): next thing I know I get a letter saying consultant feels the main problem is not the hernia but my DR and they will perform an abdominoplasty!!! Feelings of relief and anxiety, happiness that I will be fixed mixed with anger that I have to go to such extreme lengths just to return to normal after having two babies.

Got given a date pretty quickly and went in on the 28th June. They said they would try to do only a horizontal scar but in the end they had to use a vertical one to get rid of all the excess skin: they had warned me and I am not surprised, I had horrendously stretch marked skin all around the navel. I was in for 3 nights, and by day 3 was only on paracetamol. However it is uncomfortable and sleeping is difficult, I cannot stretch out as they sew it tightly, so sit, stand and lie hunched over which is killing my back. The scar is sore like the CS but worse is the bruising up and down my midline from the muscle repair. I sneezed yesterday (day 8) and it was agony. I imagine I will be off work at least 4 weeks. But I can already feel my abs working down my middle, and I look flat and pretty normal again bar the swelling and dressings! Before the op I could not steady myself if I fell backwards, push a loaded trolley round a corner, get up from lying without rolling on my side and pushing up... I had terrible backache from all the overcompensating my back muscles did, and it affected me psychologically; I hated DH seeing it and avoided swimming.

I dared not ask why they cleared me for the full abdominoplasty when so many get told no; I know the hernia meant I needed fixing to a degree but I am guessing I got lucky in being passed along to a plastic surgeon who believes they are necessary. I know he has a private clinic and does lots there. Maybe he thought it was a good learning procedure for his trainee! But I hope some of this is useful to those at the start of the 'getting it fixed' journey, whether by exercise or surgery. I totally second the Tupler exercises but also felt having a physio show me just how to do them, and other exercises, useful. I have also found a Facebook group for people with DR which is useful, so worth finding.

I have spent many hours being upset about this and will never forget what it was like even if my new tummy is pretty perfect: I passionately want more people to know about this because the number of health professionals who are ignorant of it is unbelievable: be prepared to be the expert and do not be fobbed off! I hope you all find things that help, and enjoy those little buggers babies who left us with such a gift!

Girls for anyone reading this that thinks they might have this just want to say get to a physio! DS was 11lbs and I had 6 fingers of separation. Had to wear a tubigrip 24/7 for about 3 months and if I left it off my back felt so weak I was afraid to lift the baby. I also developed SPD a week after he was born and had to get a serola sacrocilic belt, without which I couldn't walk unless I was bent over and holding on to the wall.

Physio gave me exercises but with a new baby I found it hard to find even 10 mins twice a day to do them. She also recommended Pilates which I started when DS was about 4 months. Kept it up for 2 years and all through my next pregnancy. At 6 months pregnant I could see that the muscles had separated again so went to a specialist physio who said not much I could do til baby was out.

DD was born 3 weeks ago and u could not believe it when physio told me separation was only 1.5 fingers!!! Like a normal person!!! She credited the Pilates. Obviously a hernia needs surgery and some cases are much more serious than others but just wanted to say if Pilates helped me it might work for some of you too. I will have to do it for the rest of my life (obviously haven't been in a while and already my back feels a bit weaker) but it has been a lifesaver for me!

Just found this thread. DD is now 10 months old and I'm still 3 cm separated. What are the steps I need to take?

Hi all

I have read this article with interest almost a year later but am exactly in the same position or at least I think I am.
I have had epigastric hernia surgery in 2000 after my 2nd child and it was a disaster as the surgeon(whom I was told was too junior and should not have been allowed to undertake the surgery) messed up. 13 years later and after 3 other children I have 2 hernias' the old one which is bigger and an umbilical hernia. I have an operation scheduled for next week and am weary because I have a huge (four finger gap) in my abdominal wall and understand this alone can make the hernias keep recurring, so repairing the hernias may simply be treating the symptoms rather than the underlying cause.
I know the NHS are vague on this as they are keeping an eye on their budget but don't I need to get my abdominal walls repaired as a matter of necessity as against cosmetic. I am a size 8/10 and have a flabby tummy(five kids) not big but when I am bloated I look 7 months pregnant.

Can anyone help. What are my options?

Hello! So wish I'd found this 8 years ago!!! My eldest is 8 youngest is 2 with an almost 5 year old in the middle, with various other complications from the birth of my first the one that still remains is my stomach. Only last night I was congratulated for being pregnant again :( I was on a bit of a high before this as I saw the consultants on Friday to discuss surgery, my only problem now is childcare but can sort that somehow!!!
I've been doing Pilates & fitball for some time now which has definitely improved my core, as well as running & swimming so I'm not unfit about a size 12 but buy size 14-16 tops to hide my tum but then I feel like I'm wearing a tent! It wasn't until last night that I realised exactly how depressed this was making me, I was sat in the corner at the a party, wouldn't dance & that was before I was congratulated!!
I wouldn't change having kids for anything but I do think, especially given all the comments I've now read, that this should be something discussed during pregnancy & as part of post care with informed information & care.

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread. Have realised I have the separated abdominal muscles 3 years after the birth of DC2 (second C-section).

Am about some of the things women on this thread have been through.

I'd like to try exercise, like the Tuppler programme or MuTu Mama. The tuppler one recommends wearing a £50 belt thing at all times, over a camisole, which think could be embarrassing in the summer at least! Has anyone tried specialist exercise?

Don't want to go down the surgical route (cost, risks, and don't have any health problems relating to the problem, it's cosmetic really, but looking pregnant does get me down!)

Sad that such a common complaint has been ignored or taken advantage of by general surgeons and plastic surgeon.
The first only offers repair through a midline incision
The second group repair with full abdominlo plasty with the usual upgrades breast lift, lipo etc.
If pt has a small amount or redundant skin a laparoscopic day surgery can be offered with great results.
jscr.oxfordjournals.org/content/2010/5/3.full

I am not a mother, I'm only sixteen but I have diastasis recti. Does this mean I need surgery??

I've got a date for surgery in two weeks time for a large hernia and split muscles. Feel like I'm unsure about what's actually happening as saw surgeon once for about 5 mins for diagnosis and had pre op assessment on phone. I have no idea of recovery time so if anyone could let me know how they got on with recovery that would help. I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 6 month old. Have arranged some ad hoc childcare for three weeks but that's all as no close by family. Feeling like I should put it off until kids a bit older but no idea what to do. So confused.