Worried about my poor abs

[Cuppatea14]

So I had some split abs (can't remember the technical name) on my first, but only about 2 fingers wide and they mostly sorted themselves. Am 27 weeks on number 2 now and can already feel a fairly big split. Starting to get freaked out now that I'll end up with a massive split and problems at the end of this pregnancy. Mentioned it to my consultant but she brushed it off, basically said not much I can do about it. Does anyone know if this is the case, is there really nothing to be done to minimise it? (Other than the obvious being careful hoisting self out of bed etc) I have a very active toddler at home, wonder does hauling her around the place make it worse??

Just to add, prevention/treatment only stories please, no scary stories from people who've ended up having surgery and whatnot. I have googled sufficiently to already have scared the bejaysis out of myself.

The attitude of the medical profession to diastasis recti makes me so cross. It causes such self esteem problems as well as some serious health issues!

Your consultant is wrong, you can do things while pregnant to stop it from getting worse. For example...

Also have a look at transverse abdominis exercises for after the baby is born. Your transverse abdominis will pull the diastasis back together. eg

Thanks so much for the links, lots of things on here rang a bell (posture & always carrying toddler on same side especially). I have scoliosis so am naturally more inclined to 'sway back' at the best of times, must make an effort to tuck in my backside a bit more. Great to hear there are proactive things I can start to do. Doc did mention swimming might be a good exercise also, what do you think?

You can have surgery after ....once you aredone the kids and they are potty trained and able to look after themsthemselves without relying on you being around!

Swimming tends to be great pregnancy exercise as it's low impact but keeps everything moving, although I haven't seen anything specifically linking it to diastasis recti prevention. I think it's normally recommended to be careful with breaststroke as your pelvis loosens up in later pregnancy. Keep doing pelvic floor exercises as well, they help keep your core muscles more stable.

My yoga teacher advised similar to that link VeryLittle posted:
-no big core/twisty movements
-no plank type exercises
-careful to lift using your thighs not your core (oh the BURN haha)

I was worried about causing this so asked, it seems that whilst nature does have a part in it you can be careful.

If also found people confuse it with stretch marks and general 'mummy tummy' which is unhelpful. I don't want it because I have back issues so my core works to help keep me mobile when my back's not 100%!
You get people saying "if you have stretch marks you'll separate!" when what they mean is "if you stretch your skin quickly your tummy might bag" not the same thing at all!!!

My abs have been hurting me no end since 18weeks, So I have a feeling I may suffer with them even more later, problem is I'm a right chubster! so I can't actually feel what's going on in there but pushing into the middle is the oddest sensation ever for me...... eep :/

So I've been paying attention to my posture today after the good advise, can't believe how hunched over I have been, it's one of those things that you only notice when you stand up properly and hear the crunch of all the beleaguered muscles cracking behind you. Hoping this will help get through the rest of the pregnancy without destroying my (once lovely and flat-sob!) belly too much. Anyone heard of those bandage thingies that hold you together after the baby's born, any good or just a gimmick?

I have heard they can slow things down as they do some of the holding the muscles need to get back into the habit of doing ..?

I think the bandage things should only be used if you're under care of a physio for the separation. I gather they're used when the separation is very severe and there's a hernia danger. For smaller separations I've heard the same as squiz, that it slows healing down.

I've noticed something slightly odd (I am literally waiting to push! 38+6!). Just round my belly button, in a neat circle, feels softer than everywhere else. There's no muscular pain and I don't feel like my muscles have separated alL the way up and down ... I noticed it while poking around feeling my bump.
Well I guess it will either heal or I'll have a very deep inny or outy afterwards!