diastasis recti?

RobinR91

Hi all,

 I haven't been around here much--I'm sorry. almost 9 month old triplets keep me busy! I'll be brief. I'm not one to harp on the "changes" my body went through on account of my pregnancy and breastfeeding triplets for 8 months. I'm pretty average/petite (125/130 prepregnancy, 5'2, small framed, etc) and now I'm 140. I'm in no way complaining about 10 lbs, but I look ridiculous. I think my body as a whole is thinner or as it was before I was pregnant, but I have a HUGE belly. If one more grocery store clerk asks me when I'm due I'm going to get a shirt that says "I'm not pregnant" lol. I can certainly identify with "twin skin" or "the curtains", as I like to call it, but behind/above that there is some harder stuff...organs? lack of abs? I'm not sure. It's not really jiggly like my other fat is...

 SO--I put a call in to a physical therapist. My C-section was traumatizing--I'm not ready to consider a surgery to correct this. But my posture sucks, my back always hurts, and no clothes fit. Has anyone experienced Physical Therapy to correct diastasis recti (self diagnosed, of course, with the help of Dr Google). I guess I just feel I'm out of options. I'm looking for some hope. Any advice/questions to discuss with the PT? 

pillowass

I had DR (4 finger separation) and corrected it with pt. It was a lot of work between the daily exercises and frequent visits to my pt but after 2 months it was pretty much healed. I didn't lose much weight but I got my waist back, which was amazing. I also have to say that regaining my core strength was really key to helping my body feel normal again. I recommend finding a pt who specializes in birth recovery and/or women's health. 

RobinR91

Thanks so much! My friend is a PT across the country, and she did the leg work finding me a PT specialized and approved in women's health, specifically pregnancy related issues so it should e a good fit! Havin my waist back would be amazing! Here's to trying!

mommyof4boys

I am doing PT now for that and a few other issues.  Mine is starting to herniate.  My twins will be 8 soon and my youngest will be 6.

leapgirl8

DW did physical therapy with a specialist when the babies were about 4 months old. Did wonders to restore her body, comfort level, and confidence. She went every few weeks and they just checked her and taught her a new set of exercises to do at home. She still wears the band for running.

Dragonfly0622

I have a very large separation as well. During my pregnancy I was constantly asked if I were having twins! My doctors always said I measured fine and looked great. I had an unplanned c-section as most are...and had a long recovery. I felt very uninformed for a very educated person, who read a ton of baby books. After my official diagnosis, I started PT at a regular place that is not for women's health. They were great, but my separation was barely closing:( I did research myself and ordered the DVD and splint from the Tupler Techinque...good information but the splint isn't as wonderful as I had hoped it would be. I recently met with a women's health PT who is fantastic and has been through this herself. She is extremely knowledgable and I just felt a million times better after my initial consultation. She advised stopping the core exercises and just work on breathing, and basically "sucking it in," to retrain the belly and brain. She also said instead of a splint/belly wrap, etc...just get spanx or other brand shape wear to wear daily for some control. Mine will most likely need surgery after we are done having children, but I'm willing to do almost anything to get it more together. She also suggested going on a wheat-free diet for a while to aid in losing extra unwanted belly fat. One thing I took away from our conversation was to work on using my belly rather than cradling it and not pushing on it. This is a very frustrating condition:( I totally understand!!