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Original poster

Mum tum (aka diastasis recti)

17 replies

Misty9 · 13/05/2018 19:07

My youngest is now 4 and my stomach is still far from how I'd like it to look. My muscles split with both dc pregnancies and were 4 fingers width at worst, now about 2. It's hugely affecting my confidence and sex life (it hangs down when I'm leaning over iyswim) and I'm considering drastic measures. I do get asked if I'm pregnant and as I'm quite small chested, my tummy often sticks out further than my boobs. I exercise and eat well which does make some difference but not much.

What can I do about this?

OP posts:

magnetiq · 13/05/2018 19:10

Following for advice!- how did you get 'diagnosed' and is there anyone who can suggest exercises to help?

SeraphinaDombegh · 13/05/2018 19:17

I found the MuTu system incredibly helpful. My DR was 7 fingers at its worst . MuTu is a very gentle physio/exercise regime specifically designed for women with DR. You pay a one off fee for lifetime membership, which comes with a kit of basic equipment such as gym ball etc, and you can then download all the videos and follow them. It helped me reduce my gap from 6 fingers to 4 before I had to take a break from it. I really need to get back on it!

WiltedDaffs · 13/05/2018 19:21

Definitely MuTu System.

Monny1 · 13/05/2018 19:21

You need to get a doctors appointment and then get them to refer you to the Physiotherapy Department,at the hospital, where they can give you exercises to do.

MojoMoon · 13/05/2018 19:22

Find a physiotherapist specialising in post natal and go and see them.

There are quite a lot, it's a common area for them to take specialist training in.

They can examine you, choose the right exercises for you and supervise your progress

Murane · 13/05/2018 19:29

My doctor recommended pilates for core strengthening and closing the gap. I'm not allowed to do any sit-up movements until the gap has closed, because sit-ups will just force the muscles further apart. But I can do everything else the pilates class does. I was also advised to practise sucking in and holding my tummy and pelvic floor every day to strengthen the muscles, and make sure I suck in and brace before any heavy lifting.

I asked my GP to refer me for physio but apparently the NHS doesn't have money to waste on that sort of thing.

DavetheCat2001 · 13/05/2018 19:34

Agree with the above pp. look for a post-natal Pilates class.. the studio I work at runs 5 week courses for pn women. Pilates is marvelloys for your core.

Monny1 · 13/05/2018 19:34

Thats awful, l was seen on the NHS, it was 10 years ago. You could just try and see, what your doctor says.

1frenchfoodie · 13/05/2018 19:52

I was referred for physio after birth about 2 years ago and just 3 sessions - with exercises to do at home - got me down from 3 to 1 fingers. Where I now live (not UK) it is very commonly offered and works even years after birth. See your GP.

FluffyFerrets · 13/05/2018 20:02

I went to a physiotherapist (not in uk) and followed their advice. It was pretty much what the MuTu programmme is.
After I'd closed the gap from 5 fingers to 2/3 I began to use kettlebells. Only doing the 'kettlebell swing' as it's a simple movement. Not only did that work to get the DR gap down to less than a full 1 finger gap it worked absolute wonders on my pelvic floor read sex life/orgasms too :)

Bowlofbabelfish · 13/05/2018 20:03

Restore your core system or MuTu.

Youcantflosstomonkeywrench · 13/05/2018 20:29

Physio, either on the NHS or private. I was really lucky to have a really good NHS physiotherapist PP, it took a year of work after DC4 and I should really do my exercises daily. Losing weight made me feel better as well but mostly it was the physio (and spanx pants).

Original poster

Misty9 · 14/05/2018 08:48

Kettlebells sound interesting! Thanks for all the suggestions. I've come across the mutu website before so will check it out again. I have a very weak core and know that needs work. I'm lazy is half the problem...
Even if I get the muscles back together though I'll still have the saggy excess skin won't I?

OP posts:

Youcantflosstomonkeywrench · 14/05/2018 11:15

you will, but you won't care so much IMO. I have saggy skin when I'm a size 8 and once I'm dressed no one notices (well, tbh no one notices now when I'm dressed and I'm a tiny bit bigger at the moment). I used to be desperate for a tummy tuck but I'm honestly not that bothered now.

duggiehug · 18/05/2018 20:22

I'm sure I heard somewhere about Stott Pilates being good for mum tum. Has anyone tried it and is it suitable for us with DR?

fieldmuse · 28/06/2018 10:01

My local nhs trust has some leaflets with basic exercises - see 'postnatal exercises and advice' and 'divarification of the abdominal muscles' here:
www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/st-michaels-hospital/what-we-do/midwifery-services/information-for-you/

JessiCake · 28/06/2018 10:06

I second MuTu.

Also recommend seeing a specialist post-natal or women's health specilaist physio.

Also google the Tupler technique, it's literally the most tedious exercise programme there is but I did find it really helped. Unlike Mutu (I think) Tupler also recommends binding which sounds scary but is bascially just a large velcro'd band you wear under your clothes for a while. I tried it (I was desperate) and I honestly think it really helped (and I was sceptical and htought that was 'cheating', and that the effects wouldn't last... but combining it with the exercises it did work).

I had a big gap (can't remember how many cms but it wasn't great) and I now have almost no gap at all, my stomach looks visibly normal as opposed to weird and bulging and kind of undulating.

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