I believe I have abdominal separation, but I am 8 months post-partum and just realizing it now (I'm a first time mom, so I didn't know what it was, and thought it would go away). Has anyone else had this? How did you treat it? Should I see my doctor?
Thanks for the great information! Luckily, the separation doesn't show so from a cosmetic perspective it's not a big deal. I'll call the doc today and find out if it's a big deal from a medical perspective, and if it's okay or would be beneficial to try some of the exercises you recommended. However I did read in the link that Jill sent that: "If you begin abdominal reconditioning at more than six months postpartum it is unlikely that you will be able to decrease the width of the gap at your midline." So, I may be out of luck this late in the game anyway!
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I bought fabulous DVD that addresses this and other postpartum issues. It's called Bounce Back Fast - Post Natal Core Conditioning by BeFit-Mom. It's instructed by perinatal exercise specialist Helene Byrne.
This will take care of you if you follow the program.
:0)
~A.~
I have a five month old daughter and I was told by my midwife at my postpartum checkup that I had abdominal separation. I started doing sit ups every day and I am now back to normal.
there was a class i took through St. Louis Park community ed that had special ab exercises to help it. talk to your doc, too, but normal crunches won't help it.
See a dr immeadately and good luck.
D.
Have you checked out this website.
It seems that there are plenty of positive things to do.
My mid section did the same thing 21 years ago with my first child. Back then it had no name, we just called it not getting my tummy back and living with it! Now a days it has a name. Go figure. Anyways, back then my stomach was concave, now it is, as I would call it, more to love!
check out the website! It's pretty good!
J.
What you need to do is take a sheet or a long towel and wrap it around your tummy and criss-cross and hold it tight while you do crunches. That will train your abs to work in the right way and close that gap. This is very common. I hope the directions make sense!
Hi T. P--
I have a spot on the left side that is the same following my twins pregnancy. I didn't realize it til later on either. I feel like I'm herniating if I do strenuous muscle activity in the wrong way.
So I did ask. I had a friend with it so bad she outpouches cuz she didn't ask and didn't want drastic surgery to sew it shut.
My Doc and a physical therapist I know from work - told me to first lose my weight- which I did and now have my ideal shape back. That is less bulk to deal with and it also means I'm in better shape. And- the biggest factor to control it and keep it strengthening and not separating more, is to tense the muscles in your stomach when you're doing anything active. It tightens the muscle so it's where it should be basically- and prevents the separation when you're doing the activity . Stomach muscle exercises also helps.
B. Jarmoluk
____@____.com
Hi there,
I think I may have this also. The site mentioned below is very helpful in figuring out if you do and seems to have better medical advice. It actually warms against "splinting" your midline while doing crunches. Good luck.
