What is going on with my stomach muscles?

[Cosmogirl86]

I can't describe this very well, but lm constantly uncomfortable. It feels like my stomach muscles have to work too hard just to keep be upright! The most discomfort is above my bump, dead centre.

I'm only 24 weeks but I am carrying twins so my bump is very large already. I'm only comfortable when lying down which obviously isn't practical.

Is this normal? Any fixes?

Hi Cosmo.

I think I know what u mean and I'm feeling like that too. I am also 24 weeks but with 1 baby. Bump isn't too big yet even though ots my 2nd baby, but by mid day I feel very comfy. Like stretching too much at the sides, and uncomfy at top of bump. I am quite short-about 5'3 and I feel like baby has pushed everything up really high.
I too only feel more comfy when lying down on my side. I think I have really bad posture as well though and feel I am hunching a bit which cant be helping with the uncomfiness!!
I have started pregnancy yoga and pilates and I actually feel this really helps as lots of stretching out and making more room for baby. I really feel at the end of the class like bump isn't so uncomfy and this lasts for a good few hours-I think until I naturally start hunching and having poor posture again. Pity I can only go to 1 class a week-but as I am learning a bit more i might try and do some of the moves in the evening at home. Also trying to be more aware of lengthening out my body generally when I am sitting at my desk etc.

Maybe worth a go if you aren't already doing classes?

Cant imagine how uncomfy it would be with 2 little bubbas taking up space.xxx

Could be diastasis recti (AKA abdominal separation), there are exercises you can do to reduce/prevent it but I think it happens to most pregnant women - particularly with multiples

Almost certainly diastasis recti - separation of the abdominal muscles. There's lots you can do after the birth but not sure if exercises would be suitable in pregnancy. Talk to your midwife & ask for a physio referral.

I had no idea my muscles could seperate! I've looked into it a bit and it is definitely what I seem to be experiencing.

Pregnancy is wonderful

Have a look at myfitfamilylife on Instagram. Lots of great diastasis recti info

They've split!

Speak to your midwife. Because it can cause back pain as well if your stomach muscles can't support you, it puts pressure on your back muscles. Talking from very painful experience!

I had my DD 2.5 years ago and suffer with the worst back pain.

I have a 9-10cm separation and a permanent rock hard 'cone' belly. It's difficult to walk straight due to the pain and my doctor says there is nothing I can do about it.

Unfortunately I didn't know about it till too late.

My back is actually sore too. I didn't consider they were linked.

I won't see my midwife for another ten days. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help?

I was advised to use a strip of latex stuff about two metres long, and sit down with the middle under my feet and an end in each hand. I'm sure any stretchy material of this length will work. Then to pull my arm around so my elbow was at a 90degree angle hand level with my shoulder and elbow level with my waist if that makes sense? And to just keep doing that. I forgot to do my exercises for maybe a week and they've separated a lot more now. I was told a common way to tell if the muscles have gone is when you tense them - such as sitting up in the morning or lying down in the bath is if your stomach makes a kind of cone shape

@PeachQueen sorry because I believe you've been clear but I'm shocked I think - do you still have the coney shape even though you had your DD 2 and a half years ago? And your doctor told you that it'll never go away? I've got just under 9 weeks of pregnancy left and I've been clinging onto the hope that my hips will sort themselves out and I can do sit up and yoga and core strengthening muscles to get my stomach sorted!

Hiya, yes it's got progressively worse. But I didn't know what it was till late last year.

I believe it can improve if you do the right excersizes. .

@PeachQueen oh god I'm so sorry it's still affecting you! I hope it improves eventually xx

You need a referral to the Women's Physio at your hospital....phone the midwife before your appointment to get her to put the referral in to save time.