Stomach muscles f**cked. What can I do?

[OneToughMudderFudder]

I have had 5 pregnancies including twins. My last DC was a 10lb er and I could clearly see him moving about in late pregnancy as my stomach muscles had no tone.

I still look 6 months pregnant and he is 9! I work hard at the gym and do lots of cardio and weights including the crosstrainer rowing machine and crunches (100 a session). The rest of my body has improved but not my stomach.

Anyone improved this through exercise? I am pretty sure I have the diastasis recti thing where the stomach muscles have separated.

@OneToughMudderFudder I have five children including twins, my last baby was 9lb 9oz I had a tummy tuck

Please stop doing crunches as they will be making the diastasis recti worse!
See a specialist women’s /post natal physio who will tell you if this is the issue and what exercises you should and shouldn’t do.
Pilates is also brilliant but you have to know which exercises to avoid (until you have built up some strength) so see the physio first. Unless you can find a Pilates teacher who really knows lots about diastasic recti.

If physio and exercises can’t sort it out you can get the muscles stitched together but it’s a very major op, can’t get out of bed for the first week, 5 further weeks of recovery (off work/need childcare etc)

I had mine stitched together as part of my op and I went to a wedding two weeks afterwards, I'd say it was similar to the recovery from a C section but everyone is different. It stabilised my hips which was my main issue but the fact they removed a huge chunk of skin was amazing too, before the op I weighed 9st size 8/10 but my waist measurement was a size 16 so nothing fitted properly. 11 years on I'm still grateful to have been able to fix this

Try pilates.

I think that if the muscles have actually moved apart then an operation is needed. Have you spoken with your GP?

I second mutu, it's made such a difference.

Just googled mutu, I had no idea someone had invented a specific exercise program for this problem, how brilliant!

You most certainly need to see a Women's Health Physio. Doing exercises whilst having diastis means you will be making your stomach worse. You will only be able to aim for a 'flat' stomach once the muscles are back in the correct position.