Seperated abdominal muscles and only 22 wks-help!!

[mishkamoo]

Over the last few wks I have noticed a lump appearing above my belly button when I try and sit up. When I mentioned to my midwife, she very casually told me it was my abdomninal muscles seperating and to take more care sitting up-now I'm freaking out!! I'm only 22wks and can already feel about a 3 finger wide defect between my belly button and my sternum, and its now spreading below my belly button as well. Presumably this will only get worse as I get bigger. This is my 1st pregnancy (in case you hadn't already guessed). Does anyone know how bad these things get? If it will get better on its own once the baby is born? If it will come back (and be worse again) with subsequent pregnancies? Should I go back and grill my midwife more or is my GP the best person to speak to???? So many questions!!! Please help as despite a scientific background I still can't help having visions of my belly splitting apart or ending up permanantly like Jabba the Hutt after the birth.

Nice of your midwife not to give you the full picture .

It's really quite common, but when you see her next ask her to make you an appt with the obstetric physio - who will give you some advice for the post partum period.

It would seriously help you to get a birth ball and sit on it a lot, which will strengthen your core abdominal muscles and prevent pain later on (as much as possible).

No, your guts won't fall out - might feel like it - and the most likely outcome is actually that you will overcompensate and hurt your back.

So do ask for a referral. But it may not get any worse at all.

Oh and six months post partum - do some stomach exercises, so it doesn't repeat with your second pregnancy.

Thankyou for your help whomovedmychocolate! I feel much better now!

second what whomovedmychocolate said..really quite common from about 20 weeks to have this happen.