Separated Abdominal Muscles?

[expatinscotland]

Anyone have this during pregnancy?

I had it with DD2 and it hurt.

I had to have physio.

Am now 16 weeks along with DC3 and wondering, is there anyway to avoid it this time round?

I had this. I don't think there is much you can do to stop it really, but a few things might help a bit.

My physio said be very careful about lifting, twisting etc (she gave me some brochures about how to move, excersizes to do etc) - I though "bollox", but actually it helped quite a bit.

Don't do sit ups, or sit up from lying down - roll onto your side first...that sort of thing.

Also, I wore some support garments - basicly a huge wide elastic band around my bump (also from the physio) - helped a bit, but hot in summer.

I'm seeing the midwife week after next.

I'll ask her when she has a feel.

I've already got a bump this time round as it's the third one.

Just worry about it happening and not going back together as apparently you can't just go round like that forever - a pal had to have surgery about a year after her 3rd was born.

Yes, I had that. Mine aren't fully back together now annoyingly. They are closer than they were. You have to be v careful about what exercises you do after birth. But there are some you do that make them better .

mine separated too, I never realised this could happen and I've no idea how to prevent it either-will be interested to find out what the midwife says.

Don't think mine are back together properly either, 2 years on, though obviously much better than they were

i had some exercises to do after the birth and they finally went back together when she was about 4 months old.

but man, it hurt.

Mine are not quite back either - If I stop mid sit-up, I can feel a gap of a few cms. Bt they are fine - its not an issue (apart from aesthetic ) I suppose it depends on how bad it is - surgery would be for a bad seperation I expect.

Mine were seperated about 10cm at worst, btw, and they have mostly come good (2nd pregnancy though...not looking forward to 3rd!)

i had no idea that could even happen.

I have them now. Didn't notice at the time, but they haven't gone back and baby is nearly 3.

can you tell when they haven't gone back together?

i mean, just by looking, not touching.

is it a big health risk if they don't?

I can't remember how I found out. my stomach has a dip in the middle, no pain, just annoying along with the fat bits!

the midwife found out when she was having a feel around after i delivered dd2.

As far as I know, there is no risk or problem...although perhaps if its really big and doesn't close up it leaves your (whatevers in there...intestines??) a bit vulnerable, as there is no muscle covering over them.

No, you can't really tell (on me anyway), but my jelly belly is very saggy - maybe due t seperation? Or just prone to stretch marks? I know a few women who have had this happen (4), and they all have flabby tums...seems to go hand in hand.

I had this after the birth of dd2. I had some physio and they eventually went back. The physio told me that it was important to get them back as it could lead to bad back problems later on.........thankfully I have been ok since....

back problems - that makes sense. I guess having no abs will affect your stability and posture.

I had quite a bad separation after my first pregnancy, but didn't find out about it till my back gave way lifting something. The muscles are like a corset right round your middle which support your back and pelvis, so if they weaken the effects are not just cosmetic. Had physio, which did work but the exercises were really hard work. Tiny movements, but my pathetic muscles would shake with the effort of holding it all together! Next pregnancy the muscles did separate but came back together more quickly than before. I'm now 20 weeks with no.4 and looked up some exercises on babyfit.com, also try googling the Tuppler Technique which looks like good advice on posture etc while you're pregnant. Good luck!

thanks, paddy!

that's very helpful to know .