I have diastasis recti (muscle seperation) but no hernia

I finally had an appointment with the consultant from the surgical team. He is happy that there is no hernia. I need to work on closing the gap between the muscles as much as I can, at the mo the gap is about 2 inches I think - which is better than what it was....it was so wide, my guts & insides were protruding so much I looked 5 months pg! The physio therapist isn't too happy for me to start doing sit-ups yet but if I do, then only do 5 at a time, carry on with the core exercises she has given me & if I start bulging in the middle again, then I must stop incase I do myself some damage.

Anyhoo I'm babbling, the point to this post is to find out if anyone else suffered with this & what did you do about it/how long did it take to repair, if at all?

Thanks in advance, hopefully.

Caz & Thomas 16wks+1day xx

omg

Ive just had a look at your pics hun!!!
My belly is nothing like that so I guess I dont have the same thing, is your seperation really long then?
How is it doing now?

Adele xx

Hiya

I've been told that a gap wider than 2 finger width is muscle seperation. At first I could get my whole hand in the gap & it runs down the length of my stomach. It's probablt about 2inches wide at the mo but has really gone down. I will have to take a more up to date piccie. The skin hanging around my belly button looks like a frown lol

caz xx

Ooh caz

Hope it mends soon, i thought I might have it but it was just my gut not my guts! Need to get rid of my jelly belly!!

Hope the exercises help and pilates sounds good too. I'm sure it'll mend soon enough and i'm glad it wasn't a hernia.

Rach and Sam x x x

Hi

after i had my daughter i suffered with really bad back pains, i was sent to a NHS physio who referred me to have Plilate' s classes on the NHS, there was loads of woman there who stomach muscles had split (i assume this is what you have), anyway the woman were all raving about how much the Pilates had helped, the exercises you are describing sound like Pilates moves too, may be worth trying to find a local class or see if your hosp does the classes?

Donna and Scarlett 18months and 33 week boy bump.
xxxx

Me too

I didnt know I had it but when I started doing my exercise class the instructor told me I did and advised not to do sit ups.
I didnt realise it was so serious tho hun?!! Maybe I should go to the docs? I dont see any bulges tho!
What exercises have you been told to do? I was told to draw my belly button towards my spine.

Adele xx

Hiya

Well, I was told the day after I had Thomas that It looked like I had a hernia (see my pics), it was grusome lol, I thought there was another baby in there cos I could see my guts moving under my skin (soz tmi lol).

Anyhoo, it's gone down lots but I do still have the gap & nothing has herniated. However, you have to be really careful. I was referred to a physio thereapist, but because the doc said I've no hernia, she no longer will se me & has told me to work on the muscles myself. If you've got a good instructor you should be ok - sounds like you have cos he/she has already told you not to do sit ups.
I've been told the same pull my belly button towards my spine -
lying on my back
lying on each side
lying on back & bring leg up one at a time
standing & bring one knee up at a time
sitting on gym ball & raise arm & leg
sitting & put hand on opposite knee

How & when did you realise that you had seperated muscles - did the doc point it out?

Caz xx

No, my exercise instructor did. Is a post pregnancy class and she checks every ones bellys before she advises on sit ups, if you have a seperation she gives you other exercises to do like what you've described. I havnt seen a doc coz she said with exercise it should repair.
Im going to have a look at your pics!!

Adele

Wow great thank girls

I will take a look into the classes at the local sports centres. I'm a bit a way from "city centre" gyms & a bit too skint lol.

Caz xx