Physio suggested spanx post birth for separated muscles...

[jennimoo]

I saw a physio for SPD the other day and she recommended primark own brand spanx type knickers post birth to help my tummy muscles come back together, rather than them sagging and wobbling around getting worse.

She seemed a little eccentric and I'd not heard this before, although have heard of the trend for belly wraps

So has anyone else been recommended this? Do you think it'd help? Would a belly wrap work just the same?

I had spd and I wore spanx and belly band 24/7 for first 6 weeks after DS and then during the day for remaining 6 weeks. I think it made a big difference to my recovery and I think it's one of the main reasons ingot my flat pre-baby tummy back. It felt great to have the extra support as well. Also, I wasn't prepared for how squishy my tummy would feel after and i enjoyed being "tucked in."

Not heard of spanx post birth but was totally shocked SPD didn't clear up once dd out. This is what I have gleaned:

• pelvic floors are really important to strengthen the muscles inside that support the pelvis
• you need to carry on with doing all the 'right things' so not crossing your legs, swinging both legs in and out of the car
• work on your core strength so mum and baby yoga or Pilates are good. But you need to be really careful not to do certain activities but a good teacher should be able to guide you.

Dd is now nearly 9 months old and things only really started getting better once I drastically cut the number of feeds down but I also did this at the same time as starting to do yoga/Pilates at least twice a week so not sure which one has had the most impact.

My problems have mainly been in my hips and i was shocked how long it's taken to get back to normal. I really hope you don't need lots of these tips!

Wow! I don't think I had spd just my 'usual' hip pain made worse in last pregnancy and by the time I got home from the hospital I was about normal...

My SPD isn't too bad though, just wondered about the tummy muscle thing and the spanx really.

Standard in Portugal, not spanx, but those waste cinchers. Got friends who say they got their flat tummy back because of it... I didn't try it buy sometimes wish I had!

I am a Physio and we often give tubigrip to wear around the abdomen for women with rectus abdominus diastasis (otherwise known as abdominal muscle seperation). Not thought of spanx before but makes perfect sense! Need to do your Pilates though and function bracing of the muscles during 'at risk activities' though as external support will not resolve the seperation alone. You need to find and use your natural support (e.g. Core muscles) as other poster recommended.

By the way the physios and chiropractor that I have seen all thought the hip pain and SPD and my back pain are all connected and that they all need to be treated together.