Separation of Ab Muscles

Hi All!
Have been reading up on diastasis recti - the separation of your abdominal muscles. Curious about anyone else's experiences with this? I am 10 weeks postpartum and have lost most of my pregnancy weight, however, the abs remain separated. This is not a weight issue that I am concerned with, rather have heard that it could cause back and intestinal issues later on. Do these muscles eventually repair themselves? Certain exercises to focus on or avoid?
(of course, will also speak to my doctor, just looking for other's experiences)
Many thanks!
Carrie
(Proud momma to Connor and Addison)

 

no, they will never repair themselves.
no, there are no exercises you can do that will help with them.
The only solution is surgery.
No insurance doesn't cover it, It's considered cosmetic.

Cheery, Aren't I? Sorry. I've talked to my doc and done my research on it.
no intestinal problems here.
My back is killing me but my doc says there's no way to prove it has anything to do with the stomach muscles since I had back issues pre-pregnancy.

My personal solution: save up for a surgical repair and squeeze a TT in while they're at it.

 

True abdominal seperation is a seperation of more than 2 finger widths when you lay down - and then pick your head off the ground (almost like doing a crunch).

My seperation is about 1.5 finger widths. I asked my Dr about this last visit and she said that it may infact get better. I noticed that when I run regularely, it really does improve in that my stomach doesn't stick out as much and the muscles feel closer together. There are some excersises that I've been referred to - you can find them by googling "mummy tummy"

 

There is mixed reviews on the exercises. I have also read that the exercises can actually hurt, not help.

I am at prepregnancy weight (size 4) run about 5 miles 3 times a week and lift weights and it doesn't seem to help them at all.

 

I had heard about the abdominal muscles splitting before delivery and I had a c-section. I mentioned it to the doctor about putting a stitch in there and he did it. I don't know if it helped or not though.

 

I have this.....my ob said only surgery will help. I actually got it when I was pregnant with older DS and with the twins it really seperated. So maybe one day, when the money starts rolling in, my stomach will be normal again

 

Actually there ARE exercises that will help. You just have to do the correct ones. My OB said exercises would help, but he wasn't real specific. I got the book Lose Your Mummy Tummy. I like it a lot!

 

I agree with Alison that there is no tried and true answer as to whether any exercises help BUT there is evidence that the exercises can hurt. I worked very hard to get in shape after my guys were born. I have muscular legs and arms, but the ab muscles just wouldn't "repair." After doing many, many consultations with doctors, surgeons and a physical therapist, the general consensus was that exercise has no real effect on ab muscle separation. The only true repair is surgery.

I did a TT last Nov and my back problems have disappeared. When your ab muscles are weak, then your back muscles compensate. It's amazing how much better I feel after having the separation repaired.

 

I had a four finger seperation after I delivered my boys I had to go to a surgeon for a biopsy on my leg and he also looked at my stomach. He said to give it a full year to repair itself as much as it could and that if I was not happy with what it looked like the only way to fix it is a tummy tuck but that would not be considered until a year post partum. I did not have a weight issue either, however, I did not feel like my old self until I was about 6-9 months PP. Their specialized excercises for diastasis recti but I never bothered my OB and the surgeon said if you do not do them the correct way it could actually make it worse. The only thing that bothers me is with the summer coming I used to just find a bikini I like and by it now I can only wear a tankini or one piece...my belly button did not go back all the way I have a dent under it and a little bit of wrinkly skin around the belly button. Other than that I am happy wiht the way I look weight wise I am actually a smaller size then before I got pregnant. Talk to your OB but it will take a long while for it to "heal" itself, after two years my stomach looks nothing like it did the first few months after giving birth....GL!

 

Thanks all for your responses. I have looked into some of the exercises that actually help - I know is where you lean over and suck in your ab muscles for a count of 10- stop and repeat, repeat, repeat! Also, use the palms of your hands to keep your ab muscles pulled in when doing other core work. Ironically, the typical tired and true crunches do not work and only make it worse! I will take a look at that book too. Also just ordered this DVD "Bounce Back" - http://www.befitmom.com/store.html
Carrie