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No one told me this -- Diastasis Recti

SwitzerlandSwitzerland member
in C-sections

After my first c-section I had no idea how much doing sit ups could make your abdominal muscles worse and more separated if done incorrectly. For months I was doing sit-ups the way I had always done them thinking it was helping my belly get strong -- wrong! 

 You need to see how much of a separation you have in your abdominal muscles -- everyone has a little separation after pregnancy. It's graded 1-3 and depends on how many fingers can be inserted between your muscles. If you are a 1 or a 2 you are lucky as a 3 usually will never close back up without surgery. That is where the "pooch" comes in and stays. 

Anyways, I was surprised that I never read anything about this condition in any parenting/pregnancy magazines and my Dr never mentioned it. We live in Switzerland now and all the OB's and fitness people here are aware and that is how I learned about it.

If you have separation, it's important to have a towel underneath your back and to pull up around your midsection when you do sit-ups in the beginning. This helps the ab muscles function back close together.  

I am not an expert in this, but I did by an excellent book for my upcoming c-section recovery called  "Strategies for the C-section Mom" and you can also google the Diastasis Recti. 

Julie Tupler is known for her work in this area. I heard about her thru my fitness instructor in Switzerland.

https://www.maternalfitness.com/ 

 YouTube video on how to check: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvybTZiLqRE 

Just thought I would share!  

 

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Re: No one told me this -- Diastasis Recti

  • lilydevenlilydeven member

    I wasn't aware either, until I googled it shortly after. I tried to see if I had it, but I just dont get how to do it LOL. I do have a pooch, so maybe this is indication that I have it!

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  • BiancaLaMaeBiancaLaMae
    I don't know how to feel for how many fingers fit between my muscles? I do know that I did scissors and cycling with my legs to work my abs when I was 10 wks post c/s and 3 wks post appendectomy and I definitely hurt myself. I was hurting almost as bad as the week after my c/s, no exaggeration. I think it was too soon. I'm scared to try working them again!Tongue Tied
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  • pepomntpatpepomntpat member
    You can ask your doctor or a trained fitness instructor to help you check if you want. When in doubt, act like you have it!
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  • lorist202lorist202 member
    I had no idea about this.  Thanks for the info.
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  • nosoup4unosoup4u member

    The way to check is to lie on your back, put feet flat with your knees up, and then *gently* lift your head (like you're doing a crunch/sit up, but don't do a full one). Then you can feel with your fingers if there's a split over your belly button/middle of your stomach. It's pretty obvious if there is - you can feel the edges of your abs not meeting.

    Here's a video of it (about halfway through): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OayM54bmQig&feature=related

    Also, it's common to have some form of it for the first 6-9 months, while the muscles are still going back. After that, then it becomes more of a problem. I agree that not all doctors know what it is! I was sent to a general PT when I was looking into it, and then I was finally transferred to one who knows about it. Though I think OBs and MWs have more of a clue about it, as they deal with women only...


     

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  • BiancaLaMaeBiancaLaMae
    imagenosoup4u:

    The way to check is to lie on your back, put feet flat with your knees up, and then *gently* lift your head (like you're doing a crunch/sit up, but don't do a full one). Then you can feel with your fingers if there's a split over your belly button/middle of your stomach. It's pretty obvious if there is - you can feel the edges of your abs not meeting.

    Here's a video of it (about halfway through): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OayM54bmQig&feature=related

    Also, it's common to have some form of it for the first 6-9 months, while the muscles are still going back. After that, then it becomes more of a problem. I agree that not all doctors know what it is! I was sent to a general PT when I was looking into it, and then I was finally transferred to one who knows about it. Though I think OBs and MWs have more of a clue about it, as they deal with women only...


     

    Thank you! I'm gonna give it a try later. LO is sleeping on my chest right now Smile

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