Anyone else been told they have diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles)?

Life is Exciting · October 2015

Yesterday, my OB told me that I have a pregnancy condition known diastasis recti, which is a vertical separation of the two sides of stomach muscle. I looked it up on WebMD and I guess it essentially means there's only a thin layer of connective tissue holding my organs in (lovely!). She said I should avoid using my stomach muscles when I go from a lying down to sitting position or from sitting to standing. According to the WebMD site, I should also be avoiding heavy lifting (like my 26 lb toddler who is going through a mommy attachment phase right now).

The part that bums me out the most is that the research I've done so far says it makes it much more difficult to have a successful vaginal delivery. Considering I'm trying for a VBAC and I know my chances are already lowered, I'm a little discouraged.

Do any of you other mommas-to-be have this? Anyone out there have it with a previous pregnancy and successfully deliver vaginally?

Thanks!

Life is Exciting · October 2015

It also explains why my belly button popped out so early, at 13 weeks.

wagvan · October 2015

I have this with each of my pregnancies. Each time it gets worse. Last time when all was said and done I had a 10" separation. (Normal DR is 1-2 finger widths which is 3/4"- 1 1/2"...) It took me 2 years of PT to bring the separation back together, which I was really proud of. My PT started out by saying I was the worst she had seen and asked how I felt about surgical repair.) And your doc is right about not using your abs no jackknife sitting up in bed. You rollin your side and use your arms to push up and push or pull up from your arms to get from sitting to standing. As for the vaginal birth thing, I call bullshit. My last baby was my 7th vaginal birth, and all my non-posterior births are less than 2 hour labor and births. It is your uterus and pelvic floor muscles that push your baby out, not your abdominal muscles. I would highly recommend asking for an abdominal binder from your doctor after the birth. Otherwise it feels like your guts are falling out, and the binder helps pull those muscles back together while you are recovering.

Life is Exciting · October 2015

Thanks @wagvan! That was really encouraging to hear - and good tips too!

chelsmcl · October 2015

I had it last pregnancy and it hadn't closed up yet when I got pregnant again so I'm worried about how it will be after this pregnancy is done.

twinmom1121 · October 2015

I'm pretty sure I had it after having my twins, but my dr didn't say anything about it and whether it would affect my attempt at a vbac! I don't think mine was too bad, maybe a finger width separation. I'd just check back with your dr and ask about the effect on the vbac!

Lubachka88 · October 2015

At 21 weeks pregnant (2nd baby) I have also been told I have diastsis. However I realize I've had it from my first pregnancy when I gained 60 lbs (from 125) and have an almost 9 months child. I went back to almost a flat stomach again with lots of exercise. This time I noticed my stomach dining during planks in the 1st tri and stopped working out. The doc confirmed lady week that I def had diastsis. I've been doing the breathing tva exercises and contacted son PTs about therapy but non of them take my crappy insurance so out of pocket expenses are going to severe. Here's some hints I've been doing to not exaberate the issue: properly activating my core while opening doors, carrying bags etc. It feels like pulling in your belly button to your back as opposed to clamping down on your abs. I've been wearing a split on the top part of my stomach after a long day at work. I don't pick up my 35 lb 3 yr old. I'm letting people do a lot more for me than I previosuy did. That means taking out heavy garbage, moving bags of laundry, all of this waits til my husband can do it. Hoping to preserve any chances of looking like myself after this pregnancy.