Diastasis Recti

Hi K.,
I have also dealt with this condition and had surgery a couple years ago to correct it. My gap was huge and my doctor never addressed it until I specifically asked why I still looked so pregnant at my postpartum appt. She responded by saying, "that's your bowel". I was shocked and couldn't understand why I wasn't informed about what had happened to my body. Basically your gastrointestinal organs aren't protected and drop forward if your muscles are damaged and cannot hold it all in. She referred me to a physical therapist which I worked with for several months. I remember going to that first appt and not being able to sit flat against the seat to drive because my lower back muscles had tightened up so much to basically compensate for my weakened abdominals. Over the next few months, she worked on my back muscles first, then my hips since my right hip was tilted forward, leaving one leg slightly Ionger. I was also shown exercises that helped trigger the muscle fibers to reconnect. It helped some and the gap decreased, but not all the way and it didn't fix all the damage. So I found myself having to get an abdominoplasty. I personally didn't feel that this surgery was worse than my c-section, since a c-section requires cutting through 3 layers(tissue, muscle, and uterus), not to mention a baby pulled out lol. I felt my recovery was faster with the abdominoplasty. The scar has faded nicely, no pinkness. I still have some scar tissue and small puckers where I was cut hip to hip. I have a vertical scar where the doctor had to move my belly button too.
I also still have funny feelings in my stomach at times, like it's pulling and paresthesia (numbing).
I agree with the previous post. You will absolutely need lots of help with caring for your children and managing the household. It could take 4-6 weeks to fully heal and recover. No strenuous exercise, no lifting. You will be walking around all hunched over for awhile too. After the surgery, expect binding around your middle, drains (1 or 2)- which you will have to dump bloody fluids and chart amounts for the doctor to review upon a follow-up visit. I had a hard time taking the painkillers, it caused restlessness and insomnia, so I had to end up taking Ambien for a few days. I was used to just taking Motrin or Tylenol. I then had to taper off the Ambien. It was a hassle on top of everything else. I have talked with others who have had a Striker pump, which is a anesthetic device placed under the muscle for the patient to control the anesthesia. This was not offered to me, but could have prevented the insomnia issue.
You'll also need to wear compression socks for your legs. This is to prevent any risk of clotting/dvt's (deep vein thrombosis). You'll be asked to get up and move often to keep proper blood circulation going.
It may also be a good idea to get some supportive, control top undies to help pull your tummy in.
Best of luck with your decision! God Bless!

Hi K., I can offer no advice but just want to say I truly wish you the best. You and your family..

L.

I have the same condition. In addition to the diastasis recti, I had an umbilical hernia and chronic anemia. The diastasis was a condition from my first pregnancy, which at the time was 8 years ago. When first considering the treatment, we were ambivalent about a second child. Since we were not clear, I did not undergo the procedure. We then had a second child, and my health deteriorated. Not from the diastasis, but with the anemia. I decided to get a hysterectomy, as I did not want to be pregnant again, and get the diastasis and hernia repaired at the same time. Due to my misunderstanding of what was going on and the severity of the anemia, the surgeons only performed the hysterectomy and repaired the hernia. Upon followup, I learned the diastasis had not been repaired. I was furious until I learned that having all three procedures done would have been complicated and would have caused considerable pain, as the incision is done from breastplate down the abdomen. It takes much longer to recover. (I am still having discomfort from the two procedures, so I couldn't imagine any worse.) But, he was prepared to do the procedure upon my request. I'm not that vain. I don't look like I did when I got married and I'm ok with that. I look like a woman whose had two children. The other two procedures corrected the disfigurement enough that I am content that people will no longer ask me "when are you due?" You will want to have some sort of surgery to end pregnancy if you decide to have the diastasis repaired. Another consideration is the ages of your children. They are very young children. If you decide to get the procedure done now, make sure you have lots of help around. You cannot lift, bend or do strenuous tasks. My son was 8 1/2 when I had surgery. My daughter was 3 1/2 and had not yet mastered potty training. I was surprised that she understood that Mommy needed to rest and she couldn't jump into my arms and had to be careful around Mommy. Even when I recovered enough to manage my own house again, it was difficult helping her in public restrooms. If you do not have to have the procedure now, you might want to wait. Had it not been for the severe anemia, I would have waited until I hit menopause, honestly. It's a little worse than having a c-section, and I've had two. But, if you have a large family or a lot of good, trustworthy friends who can help with your family, you might be able to get it done now while they are young enough to adjust. That'll be for you and your husband to decide. You'll need your husband and all of your strength to focus on your recovery. Simple things like bathing and dressing are hard to do. You'll also be on pain killers for several weeks, so that means someone will need to be with you and your children. Also, you'll need someone to take you to your follow-up appointments. You probably won't feel "normal" again for at least a month, depending on how fast you recover from surgeries. For me, it was 8 weeks before I felt I could get off painkillers, but I tend to heal slowly.

With my thrid son my muscles completely seperated. I could put all the fingers on one had into the gap that was left. At first I wanted to have surgery. I was tired of being asked when I was due when my baby was 5 months old. My husband is in the military and the doctors refused to do the surgery because I wasn't having any complications from my condition. I was furious then but now I am thankful. I still have a bit of a tummy, but nothing that the right clothes can't cover up. My son is 5 years old now and it after about two years of consistent abdominal workouts, my muscles are stronger and the gap has decreased considerably. I just want you to know that it can get better without surgery, if surgery is something you don't want to go through.

Hi K.,

Get you a Maturity Support:

http://supports4less.com/brace-type/abdominal-supports/in...

After the birth, get a personal trainer and exercise those abdominal muscles. They will tighten up with exercise.

Birth control: get an IUD or Cap.

Look at alternatives to surgery and birth control if that is your plan.

Good luck. D.