Separating stomach muscles!

[Quilty]

Saw my midwife last week, I was lying flat on the couch while she listened to heartbeat and as I went to get up, my whole bump went into a tent shape where my stomach muscle were tensing. She said "oh your stomach muscles have separated already" when I asked if it was a problem she said "no not really, you might need physio after the birth..." I'm 26 weeks so thinking if the muscles have separated now then they will get further apart as I get bigger?

Midwife seemed very unconcerned about it so I didn't think much more of it until my friend said she has the same thing and her midwife had told her to be really careful in case she does permanent damage!

So now I'm a little worried! Does anyone know much about this? What sort of permanent damage can happen? And how?

I do the tent thing since about 16 weeks (now 36 weeks) didn't know it wasn't normal, midwife on way for home visit so I will mention it to her and see what she says

My cousin had it. It took quite a long time (ie 4 m

My tummy muscles separated badly during pregnancy. I was never told to do anything differently, if they close again after pregnancy then no worries. Mine never did but it's cosmetic (had a definite "Mummy Tummy" despite being pre preg weight) but it didn't cause any other problems. I was advised physio would cure it but didn't bother as I knew I wanted another baby (I'm now pregnant again) so will try and sort it out after this pregnancy.

If you could report back what your m/w says that would be great!

Rooble, did your cousin have to do any physio or special exercises?

Everyone's stomach muscles separate during pregnancy, otherwise there would be no space for baby to grow.

itsallgoingtobefine that's not true my stomach muscles separated but my sisters never. My Mw told me its very common but doesn't happen to anyone.

I had physio, you are given exercises to help the separation. The separation in my stomach muscles have gotten smaller but it's still there. The exercises are very easy to do but can take a long time. I found it difficult finding time to do it.

My stomach muscles have still not returned to their original place and DS is 2.5 yo. I am having physiotherapy for other issues, but I have been told to do pelvic floor exercises and to roll to get up instead of sitting up as this should help draw the muscles closer and not cause any further damage respectively. I did PFE throughout pregnancy and after but I did have tight tummy muscles before so wonder if they were

out under too much strain with my rather large bump!

If you have excess separation that doesn't fix itself post pregnancy it can lead to problems in future pregnancies. I didn't know this after dd2 and the Physio said it contributed to my bad pgp in pregnancy 3&4.

Most stomach muscles separate to a degree but some more than others. I think 2 finger widths was OK (if I recall correctly) but more than that and it might be difficult to get them to knit back together after the birth which in turn may lead to back problems because your core muscles aren't supporting it properly.

Mine were only slightly parted and snapped back very quickly and I had no tent effect, but I know several women who, after having finished having their babies, have been advised that the only way their muscles will ever go back together again is if they have surgery. Physio often doesn't work for them because their muscles are too far apart. All of them looked 5 mths pregnant even a couple of years after giving birth.

I would be careful of your back if you are experiencing an obvious separation but I suppose there isn't much else you can do about it whilst you are still pregnant except wait and see what happens when the baby is born.

Midwife said mine are definitely separated, told me to use my exercise ball more and said physio after birth will help strengthen the muscles back. She wasn't overly concerned

Thanks for replies, am quite annoyed that my midwife didn't give me any advice about it, will definitely be more careful getting out of bed etc from now on! The other day I was tensing them on purpose to show boyfriend how freaky it looked, oh dear!

I've got this tenting look when I sit up-feel gutted now! I had no idea!! :( fuck!

This doesn't happen to everyone but is not uncommon. During your pregnancy it is important that you don't strain your muscles more ie make sure you lift heavy things properly. You needto left your muscles soften and relax whilst the baby grows so dont be tempted to do anything to pull them back yet. You could benefit from a Pre Natal Yoga course.
At your six week check, ask your midwife to check if the muscles are still separated. You could then attend Post Natal Pilates or Yoga. A good teacher will focus on teaching you to bring the body back to centre including the abdominals.
In some severe case the muscles do not repair and may need surgery. It's not just cosmetic as your stomach muscles are vital in stabilising your body and provide support for the spine.