split stomach muscles - any advice?

[Mmmmcheese]

I'm 33 weeks and my stomach muscles have split so much that my stomach is literally protruding out at the topnof my bump, a bit like a hernia! I mentioned it to the mw a few weeks ago but she was very dismisive and just said its normal. Its much worse now though and kind of painful as i can feel a stretching pain.

Is thisnreally normal and will it cause any problems after the birth? Am worried about it getting worse as been told that DD is already 6 lbs and still have 7 weeks to go!

I'm limited in terms of what exercisesni can do as i'm on bedrest for threatened premature labour.

Any advice?

Sorry to hear you're on bedrest

Don't exercise! It will make it worse so you're okay there.

Avoid any kind of situp motion, to get from lying to sitting roll onto your side and then sit, both before and after birth.

After the birth start pulling your belly button into your spine early as it will strengthen the transverse muscles and do your pelvic floor exercises too.

Insist on a referral to a physic at your postnatal check who will give you specialist exercises.

I was told by a physio that it is OK to do stomach muscle contracting exercises while pregnant, as long as you're not doing sit ups!
She said - suck in tummy muscles while ensuring shoulders and bum are relaxed, hold for 10 seconds then release. Make sure you breathe throughout. However I don't think this will correct the split - might just make it easier to get back to normal after birth
PS I am also 33 weeks and my stomach is exactly the same!!

i mean my stomach is the same as yours, not the same as before I was pregnant!!

It's not normal, but common, if that makes sense. Modern lifestyles encourage the physical instability that encourages diastatis recti (the splitting stomach muscles) if you have weight up front, baby or otherwise, and not a "normal" (as in something that should happen) part of pregnancy.

Since you are on bedrest, the best thing for you is, as fraktious said, avoid sit-up motions. If you are sitting in bed, make sure your pelvis is untucked to pull the muscles and alignment back into a healthy position. This site, written by a physiotherapist, has a lot of information on the issue.

I have this. My muscles have never recovered. Nhs physio was not terribly helpful. Pilates I would say is your best bet.

Thanks eveyone, will see how bad the damage is after the birth!

I had this with DC1, they measure the separation by the number of fingers they can feel. I had 5 which is apparantly quite bad. I had to wear a tubi-grip and was given excercises to do after birth and a check up a few months later. I have to admit i didn't really stick to the excercises but luckly the muscles came back together no problem and have not had any re-occurance e.g with DC2.
As previous people have said one of the worst things you can do is to sit up without rolling onto your side and remember after birth the muscles are not protecting your stomach so be careful.