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Diastasis Recti
I am looking for other sufferers of Diastasis Recti, a post partum problem where the rectus abdominus (abs) split in two. Mine is very severe. It has been 16 months and no sign of improvement. I am looking for support or some help out there.
Thu. May 4, 12:41pm
I've got it. It doesn't interfere with anything for me, though. My sister-in-law also has it. She's a physical therapy assistant and a marathoner. Once I asked her about it--how long it should take to heal, what I should do if it doesn't. She said she never felt surgery was necessary for her. I figured with all the working out and running she does, if she doesn't need it, I sure don't.
Of course, this would be different if it was actually affecting what I could do.
Monday, May 08, 2006, 12:23 AM
(Same poster, here)--BTW, my youngest baby is 6 years old.
Monday, May 08, 2006, 12:23 AM
Are you completely torn? I am, from stem to sternum. If I don't wear binding undergarments, I look about 12 weeks pregnant. It all starts falling out. And I've had a hernia, which I managed to push back in. Do you have any of this?
Monday, May 08, 2006, 12:19 PM
No, I don't. No hernia...I do have a belly, and it will never be flat again no matter what I do. But as I'm about 30 lbs overweight it's hard to say how much of it is just flab and how much is the failure of the muscle structure.
Monday, May 08, 2006, 2:09 PM
Thanks for your help with this.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 8:38 AM
Here's an interesting article...
This article gives some exercises you can do and also adresses the hernia issue....
Link
Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 9:15 AM
bump...
Saturday, November 11, 2006, 7:52 PM
I have had it for about three years now, and it is continually getting worse. I have been to countless doctors whom all say the same thing. It can only be fixed by a plastic surgeon, and they say insurance will not cover the surgery because it is cosmetic. All I have to say is if it is cosmetic, then why does it hurt so bad to pick up my three year old son, or a vacuum sweeper. All I want is my life back, and I can't afford it.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007, 8:39 PM
I'm pregnant now and I'm wondering when this happens. Does it happen while your pregnant or after?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007, 9:14 PM
It doesn't happen to everyone, so try to relax. It does occur during pregnancy. Most pregnancy-related diastasis recti heals of its own accord after delivery--there are some simple exercises to begin with (lifting one's head from the floor while lying in the position normally associated with situps or crunches is the first). As the body heals, a few light ab exercises leading into a normal ab workout will heal the diastasis in most people.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007, 10:45 PM
diastasis recti
I too have diastasis recti and have been told the only thing that will take care of it is abdominal plasti which is not covered by insurance. I am a petite, phyically fit woman and have had 3 kids. With the last I actually worked out & lost weight. None the less, I can not get rid of the bulge which is left with diastasis recti. I was told that core excersises such as pilates, losing weight, etc will not get rid of this. Too make it worse, I am very small chested and now it seems the bulge can protrude as much as my chest...making me very self concious.
If there is anything anyone knows that can be done for this, please please let me know.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 7:43 AM
diastasis recti
Hello ladies, I am a women's health physical therapist and pelvic floor specialist. I would like to offer some advice and suggestions for resolving a diastasis recti. For those with a severe separation, an appropriate beginning is lower level abdominal exercises with pelvic floor contractions (for example, abdominal isometrics with a pelvic floor contraction (also known as a "Kegel"). For those with a mild separation, you can begin with intermediate abdominal exercises with pelvic floor contractions. Abdominal binders are appropriate as a temporary solution, but should not be used long-term.
*** The very best solution is to seek out a women's health physical therapist who is also a "pelvic floor specialist" so that you can receive several different types of core exercises, be sure you are performing them correctly and get direction on how to advance your program to achieve long term results.
For more information on women's health physical therapy, you may visit my website at www.wfrehab.com. Hope this helps!
Sunday, May 27, 2007, 1:36 PM
diastasis recti
i have had the condition for 6 years now, and have only known that ive had it for 3 years. my problem occured with my first pregnancy and was discovered during my second. i have recently had my third and i still have diastasis. people think that i am about 5 months pregnant, although my youngest is now 4 months old. i have tried the exercises that i have found on sites about the condition to no avail. the problem is still there, with no signs of going away. i have lost weight and pant sizes with these exercises, but i still look pregnant. sad to say, i think my only option now is surgery, which i cant afford. although, there is now a program called Doctors Say Yes, which is a program that allows you to make payments on your cosmetic surgery...if you qualify. the payments are $99 a month. you can find the ads for this program in any recent cosmopolitan magazine. the link for the site is www.doctorssayyes.net. i am, however, not encouraging anyone to go this route. i am simply sharing the options and information i have looked into. what you do with this information is your own decision. i have looked into many ways of helping my problem heal, most of which i cant afford. ive even looked into corseting. which, by the way, isnt cheap either. i think i, myself, would choose the surgery over the more drastic corseting. im just trying to help with information that i have come across. please dont take it out of context and find me a bad person for the methods i have considered. im just like the rest of you, trying to find a solution to one of the less attractive side effects of pregnancy that we arent told about. thank you.
Sunday, May 27, 2007, 9:42 PM
diastasis recti
Mine was very severe as well. After the birth of my twins, 28 years ago, I noticed a separation in my abdominal muscles, from sternum to my pelvis bone. When I layed on my back and did a partial sit up I had an indented ridge about an inch wide. During my younger years it never bothered me. About 6 years ago I started noticing a big change. I was very active and in shape and just couldn't understand why the separation kept getting wider. I started to develope back and leg pain from it. After consulting many doctors and surgeons I decided to undergo abdominoplasty. (unfortunately not covered by insurance) Every doctor I consulted said it was the biggest "hole" they had ever seen in anyones stomach muscles. After my surgery the surgeon said he had never seen anything like it in his career. Not only had my muscles separated, so did everything else except the skin. My muscles were six inches apart from top to bottom. They were even separating from my leg muscles. A very large section of my skin had to be removed because the fat had separated also. It's only been 4 weeks since my surgery but it was the best thing I could have done. I already have feeling back in my right foot. The recovery has been tolerable. Oh, I was told by every doctor I interviewed that my muscles were so far gone that no amount of exercise would have helped.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 4:44 PM
tummy tuck?
please tell me the results of your tummy tuck! are you satisfied? how was your recovery? was it still worth it? i am having one done on august 20th and i am too excited! please let me know!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007, 6:58 PM
Diastasis Recti
I have been researching as I was told my muscles tore but now I'm thinking they are just seperated really bad. Hopefully that is the case as having the muscles tear can be quite a serious issue.
Anyway I just learned about "lose your mummy tummy" written by an RN.
Here are some links
http://www.webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/106218.htm
Lose Your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tupler
http://www.maternalfitness.com/shop/overview.html
I've been e-mailing her and looking forward to getting some help finally. I hope the info will help others.
Link
Sunday, July 01, 2007, 2:38 AM
My muscles had been split from the bottom to the top for 8 years and I looked 9 months pregnant. After doing a boot camp and exercizing with no results I realized that my only option was surgery. I got a tummy tuck and even though I got pregnant 1 year later it was and still is the best thing I could have done. It's amazing the things that you can do when your muscles are actually put back together, you walk differently and you finally have support for your back. My waist went from 46 to 34 in one day it was basically extra skin and muscle that was just hanging out. I'm 8 months pregnant and I can already tell that I have diastasis in the top portion of my muscles, I'm just praying that it doesn't undo the rest. Regardless of this, I would do the surgery again if I had to.
Monday, July 09, 2007, 2:13 AM
My separation is so bad I look about 6 months pregnant. I am 5'8", 115lbs and my son is 15 months old. It seems to be getting worse, and it is effecting my digestion/elimination...sorry for TMI. I am terrified of surgery, but it looks as if I have no choice. I have exercised day and night...Lose Your Mummy Tummy, yoga, a pelvic floor physical therapist...things are only getting worse. I am so embarrassed of my body, this is taking a toll on my self esteem.
Did anyone have digestive issues with their diastasis?
Thanks, and good luck to everyone suffering from this.
Thursday, July 26, 2007, 7:10 AM
diastasis recti
I have been sitting at my computer reading these stories crying. I too have this problem. I am 31 and a mother of three. The two youngest are 11 months apart which my ob says was the primary cause for this problem. I look 8 months pregnant and it has such an impact on my life i hate to leave my house because i am afraid i will see someone i know. I hate to shop because everything looks maternity.My husband who is a very sweet and loving one says not to worry about it. It effects my every day life. I have a consult with a plastic surgeon tommorow. I was told by a general surgeon that if i caused "functional" problems insurance may cover a %. Has anyone had luck with that?? You girls do not know how comforting it is to know i am not alone in this>
Wednesday, August 01, 2007, 11:57 AM
I have 4 kids 9 -2 and while my stomach didn't look too bad after the first 3, even though it started while I was pregnant with my oldest, after the 4th. The last 6 months, no matter what I do, I look 4 months pregnant and I used to have the best abs. I have also started having pain associated with it. So out of desperation 3 days ago, I cut off the stomach band of a pair of "spanx-like" tummy to thigh shaper and wore it under my clothes from about 3:00 on and then slept with it on. It was like a miracle! Then I took it one step further and put a chest to hip binder over it and while I still have some excess skin I don't like at all, my stomach is back to flat, even after I take it off!!! And it's only been 3 days! I take it off to go to the gym, but I think I'll wear it from now when my clothes permit it.
I still think I'll have surgery to correct it one day, but I'd like to have one more baby. It's worth a try.
Thursday, August 02, 2007, 1:28 PM
Looking pregnant and constult with PS
I visited a PS this past week after being asked if I was expecting about a month ago at the gym. Everyone says just exercise it will go away. I do. I weigh 115 and am 5'4 and work out like 3-4x a week. But the stomach is there. I can deal with the little roll around the middle, but it goes up to the breastbone, which is what causes that preggers look. The PS said surgery is the only option. Exercise will not the the muscles together. Unfortunately I have 2 little ones to care for. I want to do the surgery but worry how I will care for them when DH goes back to work after a few days, plus that nasty ugly scar.
Friday, August 03, 2007, 6:12 PM
Diastasis
For anyone who is pregnant & is having a planned c-section, ask your OB if he/she is capable of suturing the muscles back together during the c-section. I talked to my OB about it during my 3rd (and last) pregnancy. I delivered in June & he sutured the muscles together & I can actually feel the tightness when I push my fingers through the leftover pregnancy flab. I just got approved for exercise this week at my 6 wk check up, so I don't know if it will actually make a difference. My OB didn't charge me any extra for doing that procedure at the end of my surgery. Can't hurt to ask about it!
Saturday, August 04, 2007, 1:10 AM
separation of the abdominals
ello! I am a Women's Health Physio in Australia and came across this chat when I was looking for a picture of the rectus muscles for a handout I am doing on this problem.
I agree with the previous Physio and suggest you all go to see a well qualified Women's Health Physio and she will give you appropriate exercises to do to strenghten your pelvic floor, deep abdominal and back muscles . By the way, looking at a video is not good enough and the info I read from a coup[le of sites was a bit ambiguous and not specific about correct way and timing of exercises.These exercises are proven to improve back pain as well as incontinence(lack of bladder or bowel control) No, it may not improve the look or feel of those big gaps but you will be helping to decrease your back pain and tone the deeper abdominals which will help you feel better. Unfortunately surgery is required for unresolved big gaps that worry you aesthetically.
A good Pilates class taken by a physio would also help your back pain, your general feeling of discomfort and feeling of helplessness, too.
Hope I have inspired you to get some qualified help if possible(don't know what its like in USA)
Good luck
Link
Monday, August 06, 2007, 8:44 AM
diastasis recti
I wrote the other day about this problem. I have since seen a PS and they referred me to a breast reconstruction spec. who deals with ab muscles alot?? Why is this problem so hard to fix the PS said it was the worst case he had ever seen and would not touch it. Does anyone have any experience with the surgery? I would love to know how it went and what results you had?
Tuesday, August 07, 2007, 4:29 PM
diastasis recti
What is the deal??? My HUSBAND has this!!!!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007, 4:51 PM
diastasis recti 4 weeks after abdominoplasty
About 4 weeks ago, I had abdominoplasty to correct my stem-sternum diastasis recti that resulted from my second twin pregnancy. I looked fantastic right after surgery - my upper abdomen (which previously protruded and made me look several months pregnant) was very flat. But now it seems my upper abdomen is more swollen and mis-shapen than it was at 1-2 weeks after surgery. I have followed my plastic surgeon's instructions (i.e., to not lift anything "heavier than a Sunday paper" for 2 weeks, and not lift my 14 month old daughter for 6 weeks), but I am afraid that something has gone wrong. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Wednesday, August 08, 2007, 2:44 AM
Diastasis Also
I agree, I'm 5'1" ad 115 lbs. I've exercised and used the
Flatten your Mummy Tummy techniques and still look about 5 months pregnant. I also have 2 young children. The only option I think that is left is a tummy tuck. I'd be interested in hearing if anyone has used the Mummy Tummy or any of those "special" techniques to close the separation. It hasn't worked for me yet
Sunday, August 12, 2007, 5:12 PM
Diastasis Recti
My diastasis started around my 6th month of pregnancy. I really didn't know the degree that I had it until about 6 months to a year after my son was born. He ended up being 11lbs 9oz and destroyed my muscles.
My stomach is so bloated and solid. I have also consulted breifly with a surgeon and she has advised me that it is generally cosmetic UNLESS there are complications such as someone has previously put it digestive/elimination problems, BUT what extent of these problems would qualify you for it to be classified as a necessary procedure? If you are "lucky" enough to qualify, most insurances should cover (how much probably depends on your insurance). They highly advise to be sure that you are done with having your children, otherwise the chances of it splitting again is very high.
This is so demotivating!! I am so tired of people asking me when is my baby due. Not to mention that we have been trying to get pregnant for the last 3 years and its not happening, but I look in the mirror everyday and I look 6-8 months pregnant, depending on the day!!
I am pretty afraid of the sounds of the surgery, but when the time is right, I will definatly consider this option, the daily uncomfortableness outweighs the recovery period, in my eyes anyway!!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!! HANG IN THERE!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007, 9:55 PM
diastasis recti
I have thought, for several years (10), that I have this condition. I am 36 years old and have "digestive issues", as you. I recently had a colonoscopy and thank God I don't have any problems from all my years of being backed up. Prior to my colonoscopy, I looked 6 months pregnant, my stomach/abdomin was firm. After taking all the meds to flush my system for the procedure, I lost 8 pounds and 3 inches off my waist! When I read your posting a light bulb went off. My gastro doc said that, a lot of times, women who've had children are lacking the muscles that push the waste out, once it travels to the 'end of the line', if you will. It is awful! It really does consume your thoughts and time.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007, 7:25 AM
Diastasis Recti and SI hypermobility
My youngest is almost 3 and my diastasis has not improved despite following the Mummy Tummy excercises, Pilates, etc. and it is very frustrating and depressing.
I also have problems with my SI joint, specifially hypermobility as it goes out rotation often and is painful. Has anyone else had this combination of problems? I'm wondering if my SI issues are bad because I don't have the abdominal strength from the diastasis?? I"m considering the surgery, but wish insurance would cover it, esp. as I'm having constant back discomfort. I"d also like some encouragement that fixing the DR would help my SI issues. Does anyone know? Thanks!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 1:31 AM
Male bodybuilder with this issue
Hi ladies. I am a 35 year old bodybuilder and fitness fanatic. About 2 years ago I nearly died form a rare vascular disease in my large intestine. As a result I lost my large intestine, and ended up having 4 surgeries. After my last surgery, I developed this issue. My mid and lower abs now sit probably 5-6 inches apart. I know what you mean about being self conscious. I recenly dieted back dwon to 4-5% bodyfat for competition, and I still had the weird bulge in between my abs. It looks so strange. Anyways, I am going to see a specialist about this next week, and will likely get surgery to correct it. I was thinking I was the only one out there with this weird problem. I guess not. My prayers are with you all, and please say a prayer for me too!
John Meadows
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 9:17 AM
64 year old male with the same thing
I was just diagnosed today by my doctor with D.R. I noticed this bulge in my abdomen for the first time last night as I was working out, doing sit-ups. It scared the living daylights out of me. John, I'm glad to see I'm not the only guy that has this condition. Funny we both found out about it today. Best of luck.
If you find out anything encougraging plse let me know.
Joe (Tampa)
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 6:31 PM
Diastasis Recti
I was also diagnosed today with DR. I thought I had a large hernia but after the ct scan ruled that out they say I have DR. Mine sounds much the same as everyone else's except that I get nauseated when I lift much weight or eat a little too much. The doctor said to just get used to it!!! I am a 60 year old male and don't want to put up with this the rest of my life. Does anyone else get sick at their stomach? Thanks Carl <><
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 8:28 PM
Diastasis Recti
My stomach will be very tender depending on what and how much I eat and the different activities that I will do. It usually bloats almost immediately after eating a meal---I am not so bad if I eat only small throughout the day, but if I want to eat a normal meal--forget it. When it is tender, it hurts to touch it at all, mostly around the belly button area.
Good Luck!
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 10:21 PM
Diastasis
I have no idea how long I have had my diastasis. It was pointed out to me by my surgeon in 2001. I am 64 yo, female, 4 kids, 3 over 9#, and yes, I'm diabetic. I have, over the years, developed constipation/elimination problems, my bladder doesn't empty completely so I have incontinence issues, I see my chiropractic twice a week. I have difficulties standing or walking for more than half an hour. After reading the posts here I realized that most of my problems are probably caused by the diastasis. I am overweight by about 40# and recently started an exercise program (walking/treadmill) in an attempt to resolve some cholesterol issues and regain the ability to to stand and walk as I used to do. After checking out the Aus PT's website I have now decided to talk to my urologist/gynecologist about Physiotherapy. Thanks, Fiona. I want to be able to buy my clothes off the rack again. I'm tired of looking like this and since I'm divorced for over 20 years this is something I'm doing for me.
Wish me luck (oh by the way, I quit smoking a month ago after 50 years of the habit).
Monday, September 24, 2007, 6:56 AM
DR and Abdominal Spasms
I diagnosed myself w/ Diastasis after doing tons of research a few years back, as I was doing 500 crunches 4-5 days a week and my belly would'nt go away. I bought the Mummy Tummy book and have'nt been very good about staying consistent w/ her exercises.
Mine is mild, the separation only being about 3", but what has been happening every so often is abdominal spasming if I strain my ab muscles too much. This can happen from doing simple tasks, like pulling something heavy or reaching for something, or bending over to touch my toes! I almost passed out at the gym once while stretching and this happened.
Has this happened to anyone else w/ DR??? You would think that insurance would cover something like this, I mean, our intestines are bulging out!
Monday, September 24, 2007, 5:11 PM
Tummy tuck was the best $8000 I ever spent.
Monday, September 24, 2007, 7:35 PM
recti abdominals
i have this too. How bad was yours. Did they ever measure you. I am supposed to have surgery next week, but am afraid. What would happen if you never fix the problem. They measred mine a 4 4 4.lease write back to let me know.
Monday, September 24, 2007, 10:17 PM
Diastasis
I also a, working with this problem. I have had 4 children in the last 5 years. My youngest is 5 months and people are still asking me if I am expecting. I think i I got it during my first pregnancy and it has gotten progressively worse. I would consider surgery eevntually. Right now I just want to know if any one can recommend a kind of compression garment that will help uder clothes and during exercise.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007, 4:37 AM
update
Joe - I met with a surgeon who primarily works on athletes today. It was very enlightening. When I had a mesh put in due to some incisional hernias I had (due to the surgeries where I had colon removed), my abs were 6 inches apart. Instead of pulling my abs together and placing the mesh under or over the abs, my mesh was actually placed in between my abs. If you look up these mesh repairs on the internet, you read alot about how these meshes are stress free, and how doctors dont like to "pull things tight". The doctor told me that that was fine for people who arent real active, but if you are, you should always have your abs pulled back together, and the mesh should be underneath or overtop of your abs. He said he could correct mine, and that it was about a one hour surgery. He said it was a big deal, and not an easy surgery, but that could have been due to all the scar tissue I probably have that he'll have to dig through. Anyways, my surgery is 2 weeks from tomorrow. He said my abs would be flat again, and I would get the strength back. I'll let you know how it goes.
Regards,
John
Thursday, October 04, 2007, 1:12 PM
diastasis recti
I was diagnosed today as well after years of this abdominal pain that no doctor could explain. After a more detailed CT scan, they were able to diagnose it as DR. In answer to your question about spasms...yes, i have have these spasms...very painful one's that i can't breathe or talk through. I haven't consulted my insurance or the plastic surgeon i was just referred to, but after reading alot of these, its very discouraging that something like this, so painful isn't covered by insurance!! I don't really have a bulge, to me this isn't something cosmetic. Its too incredibly painful to do sit-ups and its just not worth the pain.
Thursday, October 04, 2007, 3:25 PM
diastasis recti
I've been pretty bummed all day, I suspected that I had this. It makes sense, I delivered natural triplets a little over a year ago. After the scheduled c-section, everything that could have went wrong, did. In a sense, my uterus exploded and I lost 1/2 of my body's blood volume in a matter of seconds. After spending 2 days in ICU, an emergancy pt. hyster. and lots of transfusions I suppose that I should feel grateful that I only have DR but I'm still a little salty about it. My lower back hurts non stop, picking up babies all day doesn't help but my self esteem is suffering the most right now, I wear my husband's shirts to hide the "3 mos. prego" look. My main concern is long term effects, I'm 40 w/ triplet infants, I have a long way to go physically but I am very thankful that I found this board. Good Luck to all of you.
Sunday, October 07, 2007, 11:16 AM
One More Resource
I am a fellow suffer of diastasis recti. My muscles split after my first pregnancy. I didn't discover it until a few weeks afterwards, freaked out and called my doctor, who advised me that I should not do any abdominal exercises until the muscles grew back together. Well, they never did, and I just got to busy with a baby to follow through with it. 10 months later, I was pregnant again and with all my lax muscles I grew to astronomical proportions! My abdominal muscles are split to where I can fit four fingers between them, although when I tighten them, the separation closes to one finger width. I look about five months pregnant when I really relax my abdomen but if I suck it in, I can get that down to 3.5 months! :) Anyway, I wanted to share another resource that I have been working with: Carolyne Anthony's DVD of exercises for diastasis recti. The DVD comes with a booklet, and between the two there are probably about 7-8 different exercises to strengthen and stabilize the torso and hopefully draw the muscles back together. I have been doing these exercises faithfully for 2 months now and I have noticed some improvement (although not as much as I had initially hoped for, but I'm gathering after reading these posts that there are no easy answers). I am hoping that they will heal the diastasis; at the very least they are helping to reduce the pooch somewhat. I would like to have two more children, so I am also going to start saving for my tummy tuck for when I am all through. The information I have found here is very helpful; I hope we can keep sharing our stories and the new information we find so we can all help each other! Hopefully the information I shared is helpful. I certainly feel for all you women out there...body image is a powerful thing in our culture. I never thought that I would miss my bellybutton (it's completely gone...it sticks out like a little torpedo!). Someday I will get it back! I hope all of you will too.
Link
Monday, October 08, 2007, 4:24 PM
diastasis
I was reading these comments crying. My son is 3 years old now and I still look like I'm 5 months pregnant. I have been so bummed about my tummy because I used to have a flat tummy. I'm also overweight now. I used to be 125 now I'm 170! i was hoping that losing weight would help but now after reading these comments I have lost all hope. I'm not going to stop trying and Im going to start saving money for a tummy tuck. I cant live like this anymore.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 2:17 AM
diastasis
I, too, have a diastasis. I'm sure it doesn't look too good, especially since the rest of me is in pretty good shape because of the amount of exercise I do. So because my legs are toned and I have slim hips but then have a belly that is not in proportion to the rest of me, people often think I'm pregnant as a result. I've dealt with this for awhile and have learned to live with it. However, as time goes by, the diastasis is affecting my everyday life more and more. In the last several months it has gotten quite bad. Things like sitting in the car driving my kids to school, sitting to fold laundry, standing in the kitchen to cook dinner all lead to extreme discomfort on a daily basis. It often feels like my intestines are bulging out. By evening time I am almost in tears from the discomfort (and some nights I actually do cry because it is that uncomfortable). During the night I have trouble sleeping because of this discomfort. I can no longer sleep on my back or stomach. If I sleep on either side, I have to hold a stuffed animal or pillow to my stomach because seems to give it some support. I cannot stand for anyone to touch my stomach because it is so sensitive. And of course all this abdominal discomfort has led to me having back pain as well. I also think I am having some digestive issues due to the diastasis.
I am usually a very upbeat, extremely active person, but lately this has been making me feel depressed and not at all myself. In the morning when I wake up I often feel a sense of dread at having to get out of bed because I know that by late morning this extreme discomfort will have kicked in. I saw a doctor today about this and the possibility of me having an umbilical hernia too. I have to go for some sort of scan of my abdomen this Friday and then return to the doctor I saw today in two weeks. I've discussed this issue with other doctors before but with no results. One doctor told me I need to do core strengthening exercises for it. The problem is, when I try doing pilates and crunches, etc., there is discomfort and pain so I can only do so much. Plus in the Lose your Mummy Tummy book, the author says that certain pilates moves and some types of crunches can actually make a diastasis worse.
I need this diastasis taken care of to improve the quality of my life so I can keep up with and enjoy my 3 and 5 year old children, and my husband for that matter! Why does it seem that insurance won't cover procedures to correct a diastasis? Do they honestly think people just want it taken care of for cosmetic reasons? I guess for some people that might be the case. But what about when the diastasis is totally disrupting one's life? Does any one feel that maybe someone like Oprah needs to do a show on this topic in order to shed light on this condition that plagues so many women? Maybe if someone like Oprah brings attention to this condition then insurance companies might reconsider covering procedures to fix diastasis. I, too, am going to start saving my pennies so that some day, regardless of whether or not the insurance companies will cover it, I can get this diastasis fixed and can once again lead the active lifestyle that I love and hopefully be free of this daily pain and discomfort (even though I am terrified of the actual procedure that would be required!). However, I know there are probably many women out there who suffer from this but even if they save their money will be unable to have their diastasis fixed unless insurance covers the procedures. In my mind, this is totally unacceptable. As women, I think we need to make our voices heard. And I am serious about the Oprah thing - what better way to have our voices heard, and let other women who are out there suffering from this know that they are not alone. When I came across this website tonight and started reading many of the comments, I finally felt like I wasn't so alone in all of this.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 9:32 PM
Diastasis Recti
I think that you are right, this condition is really misunderstood!! Unless you have the condition, you would never know the effect that it has on ones life. I do think that going public would be a positive thing and that maybe the condition would get more recogonition.
I put my story out there on August 25 and I have had it for a while, but these last 6 months I have become so depressed. Everytime I think about losing weight, I think why, it would only make me look even more pregnant. Not to mention I still am (and have been for a few years) still trying for another baby. Therefore, I can't even consider getting it fixed right now. I am so discouraged I don't know what to do. I feel like giving up on having a baby so that I can get it fixed because I am so miserable and when I am miserable, everyone around me is miserable (you know how that can go :-)
Let me know, I think that it would be a good idea to get it out there somehow and Oprah DOES get the point across and she is passionate about most issues that concern health.
HANG IN THERE EVERYONE!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 10:27 PM
One More Resource - Thank You
I did the Diastasis Also post in August of this year. I'm going to order the Carolyne Anthony DVD and see if it helps. Might as well since I won't be able to get a tummy tuck until the kids are old enough where I don't have to keep carrying them around.
The October 17, post at 9:39 PM, I so much relate to your post. The increased discomfort even at night and even standing begins to hurt my back. Even my neck is starting to hurt because I can't seem to stand up straight.
When I get a chance this week, I'm going to try the Oprah option!!!
Thanks so much everyone for making so many of us feel like we are not alone.
tamster_california
Friday, October 26, 2007, 1:30 AM
diastasis
Please don't get too discouraged all of you. I have 65 year old women in my class that were NEVER diagnosed with this condition but have lived with it for over 30 years. Even at this late stage they are seeing improvement in their gap. It just takes time.
Carolyne Anthony
Sunday, November 11, 2007, 8:07 PM
diastisis recti
It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one that has this not well known condition. When I was first told 3 months ago I was clueless and anyone I mentioned it to would say a (what?) Now finding this sight I feel a big relief. I am a mother of a 3 year old and 6 month old and we plan on one more child. I pray to god that this does not interfere with our plans. My Dr. says that with time it should repair its self I have yet to see a difference. Has this been a problem for anyone planning future pregnancys as far as medical risk?
Marcie
Las Vegas,NV
Sunday, November 18, 2007, 11:46 PM
Diastasis Recti
Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you who ever started up this forum. I thought I was the only "freak " in the world who had this belly that makes me look 5 months pregnant. After 3 children i also have a diastesis that I have been living with for 7 years now. I am tired of people asking if i am pregnant again. I have excersised, dieted, seen physios, chiropractors and consulted a plastic surgeon in desperation. I am with in my healthy weight range, so don't feel losing any more weight would improve the " Mummy Tummy". It is great to know I am not the only one with these issues. I have decided to have surgury when my youngest is old enough for me not to be picking him up all the time, as you are not aloud to lift or swivel for 6 weeks. I would love to hear from any one who has had an adominoplasy for a diastesis to know what there recovery was like and how happy they were with the results
Thursday, November 22, 2007, 4:51 AM
diastasis recti
I am so glad I found this site. You are all amazing women--don't lose hope! I have a recenbtly diagnosed 7 yr old diastasis, although I am only 1 finger, and pretty lucky compared to some. However, the low-back pain, not being able to wear certain clothes or shoes, losing my relationship to my tummy being a sexy part of my body, more pregnancies in the future...there are a lot of considerations. The Oprah idea is a good one, and STOP DOING CRUNCHES!
I have in one month become more knowledgable about this, and its not a good idea to do any exercises that pull the abs apart further.
I sent an email to all the women I know about this condition, and I read somewhere on line that it may affect 1/3rd of ALL women! If that is true, that makes us a part of a community of 15% of the worlds population! What we need to do, besides get appropriate surgery for free so that we are not disabled due to our insides hanging out against our skin, and our backs having no support! We also need to WARN mommas to be! Give them all of the info we can get! Did you read about this condition in your pregnancy book? Why the hell not? It occurs in almost pregnancies, but doesn't ever go back for many women! Why aren't our Drs and midwifes preparing us for this, giving us appropriate exercises during pregnancy and after? Why aren't our bellies being wrapped as we grow into our 5th-9th months? We aren't we wrapped post delivery so that our abs knit back together? Why aren't we tested for this on our trips back to see our practitioner after baby?? Why are we rushed into exercise and lifting right after we give birth? My only advice to all of you, is that you are not alone, that infact as manu as 33% of the women in your life have this condition, diagnosed or undiagnosed--so TALK about it! Get them to do the home test, the crunch with your fingers in at the belly button. Tell all your health practitioners to become knowledgable in this! I have had so much bad advice its not funny! Who is our experts in this field? This is not only a women's issue, but it is 95% a mother's issue. Lets join forces and get the care we deserve, and also get the knowledge out there to moms to be!!! Julie Tupler is by far the most helpful person and site I have come across. Pilates-unless VERY basic, WILL make it worse. Also, BeFit Mom. Other than that, women and some men, it is up to people like us to transform this issue into a known, cared about and COVERED condition. The abdominaplasty for many of us health nuts, IS NOT SUPERFICIAL! Befit mom says if you have diastasis, don't lift heavy objects--like what? Your 3 month old who is now 20-30 lbs, thanks to your amazing ability to grow your child while damaging your tummy?
This issue really needs a revolution, because we should not have to stop having our children naturally, just because our culture has lost its wisdom on appropriate weight gain, appropriate exercise, appropriate back and tummy support wear, and especially APPROPRIATE RECOVERY TIME!! In the 40-50s women were kept in hospital for 10 days in bed wearing a corset! This wasn't just so they'd look good! It was about diastasis avoidance. At any rate, I hope this does 2 things for those of you that are towards the point of giving up. Get riled up, and get together with each other, and lets revolutionize this. We now have longer life spans, and I don't want to live another 60 yrs without being able to carry my groceries in from the car! I am in Canada so things may be different here, we now have a free surgery IF you have had atleast one hernia. WHY do we have to wait to get a hernia before we get corrective surgery? It is ridiculous. I am going to email Oprah, I've heard back from Julie Tupler, and from the Befit mom woman-lets all copy and fwd our emails to Oprah and see what happens. In the meantime, do research and start asking around. More women have this than you think!!!
With love, and health and best wishes! Maria
Thursday, November 29, 2007, 10:28 PM
diastasis recti
Greetings - yes, wow! I thought it was only me as well. Older mother of 5 children; having full term, big healthy twins at the age of 40 did it for me; split my muscles right open . People are talking about insurance covering or not covering surgery - then there are the folks like me who don't HAVE insurance...So, what's the update? Did anyone find any reasonable exercise type things that helped? My twins are 19 now, so there is no hope of anything growing back together and I too am sick and tired of looking like I mainline Oreos or am pregnant.
Friday, December 28, 2007, 9:22 PM
I can't do this anymore.
The pain that comes with this condition is ruining my life. I can't remember the last time I lived a day without having to swallow pain medication. I can't exercise anymore. I can't have sex anymore. I can't play with my kids.
This is ridiculous. Nothing I try works to improve this.
What am I supposed to do?
Has anyone had successful corrective surgery for diastasis recti?
Saturday, December 29, 2007, 2:36 PM
How do you self-diagnose?
Hi, I'm a 25-year-old mother of an 11mo baby and I think I might have DR, but am not sure. I still look 5 months pregnant and have posture issues and back pain.
Doing crunches during pregnancy now seems to have been a bad idea :) - I wasn't aware of this condition. As a poster already said, no one tells you about this while you're pregnant.
The self-diagnosis as described on several sites I've read isn't clear enough to me. Where exactly do you put your fingers? Inside your belly button? Above it? Do you measure the width or the length of the separation? (It says if the separation is less than "2 fingers" you can do crunches again, but 2 fingers in which direction?
Monday, December 31, 2007, 1:35 PM
Help at last! Help at last!
I am so incredibly thankful for the many posts on this question on thsi forum-- I just went and joined Peertrainer just so I could post about this topic after finding it through a Google search tonight for Diastasis Recti. My new years' resolution was to finally do what I can do get rid of this belly which is an enormous embarrassment to me and I feel SO very alone with this problem. I can't count the number of times I've been asked if I'm pregnant since my son was born 3.5 years ago. I had two babies back-to-back (14 months apart) in my early 30s, which I guess I see now puts me at high risk for DR. I've known I had this since about six-months post-partum... I was skinnier than I'd been since college but still looked pregnant!! It was terrible! Now I have gained a ridiculous amount of weight (well, OK, 25 pounds) so I'm not even clear how bad the problem is at this point. First step: Lose 25 pounds. Second step: Do these very great exercises and get a physical therapist. If on Jan. 1, 2009, I stll look 4-5 months pregnant, I'm going to find a way to get this surgery. Even though I am not, at all, a vain woman, and do not care so much for appearances, and even though my husband clearly doesn't mind, and even though I'm 37 and will surely lose my body to age soon anyway, I just can't STAND looking 5 months pregnant for the rest of my life. It makes me want to cry!!
To the person who asked about muscle spasms: I have these, too. They are primarily in the way upper abdomen just below the ribcage in that region that indents between the two parts of the ribcage. It's a really freaky feeling-
After reading this tonight, I went and checked and my DR is thankfully only 2 fingers. I know for sure it was 4 fingers about 1 year post-partum before I lost control of my weight. I really belive the reason I started gaining weight was due to the DR-- I felt like I LOOKED so fat, I may as well BE fat. But a new day dawns-- I'm going for a haircut and getting a physical therapy appointment at long last.
Thank you so much to all the woman (and men) who have posted- it's so nice not to be alone! Someone should start a Yahoo group!!! :)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008, 2:57 AM
also, to wed. Oct. 17
Hello, you!! Look, I'm in your shoes exactly -- 3 year old and I look five months pregnant and I used to be 125 and now I'm pushing 150. I'd be to 170 in another year if I didn't STOP THIS right now and go back to square one. Don't give up. Let's lose the weight first-- I mean, really, it's not JUST the D.R. at this point (when I see photos of myself from this holiday season, I don't think, "Gee, there's a skinny girl with a weirdly fat tummy, obviously due to abdominal muscle separationg!"... No, I think, "There's a chubby girl ... with a particularly poochy tummy!l!").
Losing weight first is a really good idea for me anyway. I'd rather look like a pregnant thin woman at this point.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008, 3:07 AM
Diastasis Recti
I can't believe I found all of you! I have been living with this condition for nearly 8 years, when I was pregnant with my first, and the o.b. while examining me asked me to sit up, and when I tried, my stomach basically looked like a pyramid. I freaked out on the spot and asked him what happened and he just calmly said, oh, it's an abdominal spllit, it happens in pregnancy, nothing you can do. Well, 8 years and 3 kids later, average weight over 9 lbs (yes, one was even 10.8 lbs) I am really upset. Every time I got to the gyn for a check up I ask what can be done and I am told that exercise might help the muscles back together, but seriously, doesn't happen! I feel horrible, I used to be a high school, college, and post collegiate athlete on a serioius amateur club team, up until I got pregnant. NOw I am 200 lbs. of sheer pain, immobility and depression. My stomach looks like I am having twins any minute, it just protrudes so much I am just beyond it all and in a daze.
Sunday, January 06, 2008, 11:09 AM
Newly diagnosed with Diastasis Recti
I just had twin girls a week ago and went to OB office yesterday to get staples removed. I happened to read my operative report (c-section #4 for me) and read that I was found to have a sever DR. No mention was made in the report about it being repaired. I asked the nurse if it had been repaired and she said I would have to ask the doctor at my next visit. After finding and reading all your posts, I'm certain that this happened after my 12yr old was born. Since then I have battled the pregnant belly look and all the associated emotional and physical side effects that go along with it. I'm wondering why it wasn't ever mentioned before, why they didn't mention it post op in the hospital and why it isn't the "Standard of Care" to fix it while they are there. BTW I also had bilateral tubal ligation so the question about having more kids was not valid. I'd love to hear from an OB GYN on the issue. As for the constant questions I've had through the years about whether I'm pregnant again - I just learned to look them straight in the eyes and say "No, that's just FAT left over from the last one." It shuts them up quickly and hopefully out of embarrassment they learn not to ask those personal questions again. Of course every time it happens I die a little inside. My self esteem was zip until I started reading these posts. Now I know it isn't just me and although my self esteem issues have contributed to the problems I have, there is in fact a physiological cause that started it all -- NOT a lack of self discipline!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008, 2:08 PM
Diastis Recti
I too have had unexplained back and hip pain. I have problems with my SI joint. I have seperation of the muscle. Despite having had x-rays, MRI, nerve tests...United Health Care will not pay for the surgery. They consider it cosmetic!! I don't have any excess skin to remove..I would just love to have the muscle tightened. I've met with 3 surgeons, the cost of a tummy tuck is between $8,000 and $9,200!! I can't afford that. The recover would be hell. I've had 2 c-sections and that was hard enough to recover from..Does anyone out there know of this being performed endoscpically?
Friday, January 11, 2008, 9:28 AM
Diastasis Recti & Never been pregnant
I have never been pregnant. My body shape looks like those that tend to get diabetes; but that is common in my family and diabetes is not. My upper, upper abdomen protrudes and has for quite some time. I see a lot of people describing the problem and so far other the 2 men, I think I saw that all of the other women “got this” from pregnancy. I am sure that we all could use more medical professionals or people who have found “treatment”.
I do exercise a lot. I play aggressive, very active sports more than 8 hours most weeks and some weeks take hikes up to 3 hours. My legs are fairly firm because I exercise them so much. But I am quite overweight and since my body shape (and genetics) have me carrying most of my weight in my upper abdomen - I think the DR is kind of a chicken and egg thing - of course you are not supposed to do sit-ups, which you would need to firm the abs. In fact it was because I noticed this large triangular protrusion when I did crunches that I asked my doc and he told me this was DR and not a hernia (which there had been in my family).
But I cannot lose weight - along with 8 to 11 hours of exercise a week I do a very low carb diet. (In the past while on 1000 cals a day for 8 wks. . .I gained 8 lbs! Another time after 2 wks on 600 cals I gained 2 lbs - I know 600 is "not healthy - but I actually had the endocin. tell me that if Iwas gaining on 600, I need to go to 400!).
I have seen mixed reactions on whether DR especially so high (a couple inches below the breast-just below the ribs) can be surgically repaired.
While I don't want to sound pathetic, I am (am have been for my whole life) phobic about vomiting; so the idea of surgery around the stomach (/upper gi tract) scares me. Can anyone tell me whether they’ve had the problem high in the upper abdomen. . .what kind of fix/surgery. . .and did it make them sick. . .if you know whether you can do this without general anesthesia?
Oh and if anyone knows what can make it impossible to lose weight – despite lots of exercise and low carb (or low cal) diets – I assume I am not the only person that would benefit. . .
Although to all of those ladies that wrote in who weigh 115 lbs. . ./sigh
I wish the best for all of you. Good luck.
Thursday, January 17, 2008, 6:28 PM
dr
wow finding this site with all your comments makes me feel like an alien that has found its people, now all i need is to find the leader( a plastic surgen) and my misery may end! i too have a three finger gap from the breast bone down and beyond...i am slim in every other way but have a tummy that pokes out like a cadbury cream egg stuck on my gut! i look in the mirror front on and think hmmmm yall looking good gurl...then i turn side ways and i look like a bloody flamingo!!!! or a telly tubby with out the joy! or i could be homer simpsons twin sister....the freaky gap and poky tummy dissapears when i lay down so i have taken to going everywhere laying flat out on a giant skate board but i find shopping and driving impossible in this angle....still i have thought about living with the ridge of pain, the gap or ridge comes in usefull when watching tv as i can easyly place a veggie wrap on it and it remains in place, also holds good as an ash tray...or a weaner holder but i did not enjoy being an apperitser holder at parties...as for people asking if im pregnant it happened once, and i was so hurt i found my self reaching for a steel base ball bat and wiping the grin off the face of the woman who asked, but no i stood there apoligising for not being human shaped and explained my perents where an umpa lumpas crossed with big bird and so f*&&^$ right off madam....still i am going to search out a surgen as i feel its my right to spend the rest of life comfortable and not praying to jesus that low rise jeans never go out of fashion!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 3:08 PM
Diastasis Recti
I too went to a plastic surgeon for a consultation and was told that this could only be corrected through surgery. I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old so I couldn't have the surgery until my youngest is more independent. I'm 5'7" and weigh around 115. I'm slender with very small breasts (after nursing two children) and so my stomach looks very pronounced. I decided to see a physical therapist in the interim to try and do something to help my stomach. In 2 months I've managed to get the gap down from 3 1/2 fingers to a 1 1/2 to 2 finger width gap. My stomach still isn't flat but it's getting so much better. My insurance covers the PT. It does take ALOT of work and dedication, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will work.
My sister had surgery for a diastatis recti and umbilical hernia two years ago. She still has pain from the surgery. They had to use mesh to help close the gap, which is very common. I completely understand wanting a flat tummy! I feel frustrated looking in the mirror everyday, but do try therapy first! It might save a lot of money and pain. Good luck!
Sunday, February 03, 2008, 10:31 PM
who knew?
Who knew there were so many of us out there suffering with abdominal discomfort, digestion issues, back pain and embarrassment due to such an apparently common pregnancy complication? I am so happy that I found this thread, but really disappointed too to know that so many people are suffering the same as me and yet our ob's and preggers books don't warn us, and our insurers (if you have one) don't think it's worth fixing this condition. My son is 13 months old and my gap is only 2 fingers width, and maybe with time it will close more, but my husband and I are also planning for another child. I saw another commenter ask if having DR after a first child impacts future pregnancies, but didn't see anyone respond. I too have the same question. I can only assume if you have DR after the first baby, it must get worse with any subsequent pregnancy. But is there any risk to the baby or your other internal organs if you get preggers again with DR from the first baby? When I asked about this, my OB only told me that if I do get pregnant again, I should probably wear one of those tummy support things they sell for pregnant ladies. But does anyone else have any advice? Thanks for all of you out there... it helps to know I'm not alone.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008, 10:25 AM
diastasis recti
Move over, I'm in this, too! 60s male. Developed a "beer belly" about 6-7 years ago, but I don't drink beer. Decided to work it off. My PT prescribed 4 weight machines that "crunched" the stomach muscles, I was up to 120 lbs., 3 sets of 20 on each machine when I noticed a second bulge popping out of my belly. It was my stomach! Sound gross? It is. Here I thought I was doing something good for my body when, in reality, I was making a bad situation worse. Yes, I also have lower back pain and digestive problems. Been to the specialists about those and no doctor has yet to connect the dots. Now my only exercise is wallking.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008, 10:33 AM
separated recti abdominis cure?
I had this happen after both my daughter, now ages 4 and 7. I read in a "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book that Kaiser gave to me how to correct this on your own. #1 is NO SITUPS, until it is corrected as this will make it worse. #2 Don't even do this until you are 1-2 weeks postpartum and you are not in any sort of pain from C-secton, etc.
This is what you do: Lie on your back on the floor, cross your hands across your waist and physically though gently pull your recti abdominis muscles toward each other. While doing this exhale and lift head and some of your shoulders off the ground, hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat exercise repetitions of 10 a few times a day until the muscles go back together. The longer you wait I would assume it is more likely to be permanent.
Mine were about 2 fingers apart. I can't fit my fingers in there now. But around my belly button never totally went back together. I think it's important to know this ahead of time.
Thursday, February 07, 2008, 5:43 PM
tummy
it is when your tummy is too big,
ie baby, or fried pork chops
Friday, February 08, 2008, 3:40 PM
tummy
Anyone have sugery that has insight to long term outcome, good (or bad). I was told sugery was the only way to repair/correct it, but could be disasterous
Friday, February 08, 2008, 3:51 PM
I just stumbled onto this thread out of curiosity, OMG I had no idea that something like that could happen, I hope all of you heal in whatever manner you can.
Best Wishes to all of you.
Friday, February 08, 2008, 4:19 PM
pregnancy after DR surgery
I am 16 weeks pregnant. I had a surgery to fix my massive diastasis recti 3 yrs ago, a yr after my twins were born. I have over 6 inches of permanent stitches holding them together. I recommend anyone with this "massive hernia" fixed asap before you permanently damage your back from not having your stomach muscles to hold you upright. The biggest BS I've ever heard of is that a DR is cosmetic!!!! The USAF fixed mine. I'm now terrified my stitches will bust the bigger I get, but I'd rather taking that chance than have back pain for the rest of my life!!
Saturday, February 09, 2008, 1:51 PM
I got my life back!!!!!!
I am a year and a half post surgery for DR and have gotten my life back!!!! I had 2 c-sections and 4 miscarriages that led to my DR. On top of that I had no idea about DR and was doing a ton of ab work to try and tighten up my abs. In other words I ended up with one of the worst cases of DR that my doctors had ever seen. I was having pain and was not able to exercise or do much with my family that I had been able to do in the past. We are a very athletic family and the DR that I had was completely ruining my life in more ways than one. My insurance did pay for the surgery because my healthy way of life was in jeopardy and I was in constant pain. I also looked like I was five months pregnant and had back pain and severe curvature of the spine. So I say that having the surgery gave me my life back! I am pain free and able to do everything I want to do including lifting weights and tons of ab work. The recovery was long and painful but I would do it all again to feel like this now! I have two boys one is 14 the other is 4 and I can now keep up with them! Anyway, I would encourage anyone who has tried everything else to have the surgery. Some insurance will pay if you and your doctors can show that you are in pain and that your way of life will be dramatically altered if you do not have the surgery. My insurance paid 100% so it is possible to have this done without paying a ton of money. Also, stitches ( I have double stitches) are better and safer than the mesh. Good luck to you!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 1:48 AM
Update & Answers
First of all, thank you to the lucky woman who got her life back and posted such encouraging comments on February 12th! While I am exercising "right" for my diastasis (I posted the earlier comment about the Carolyne Anthony videos as a resource), my hole is not closing up as I had hoped, although I do believe the exercises are helping to strengthen my core and prevent many of the problems that other people seem to be suffering with. I am halfway through my pregnancies. I have two girls, and I am hoping for two more children. Given my past experience with DR, I am anticipating that I will be heading for the surgery table when all is said and done. I am so thankful to hear a positive story after reading some of the previous posts that were obviously well-meaning, but somewhat discouraging and threatening (i.e. surgery for DR could be disastrous). And that's great that your insurance paid for the surgery. Although I would not wish to be in lots of pain and such, to me your story is a ray of light and hope in the deep, dark forest of insurance!
I can also answer the question a few ladies posted about being pregnant with a diastasis. That way my experience (unintentionally) with my second daughter. When my first was born, I discovered that I had a diastasis about eight weeks later. I had no idea what the hole in my belly was, freaked out, and called my doctor. He never used the word diastasis, but said the separation was normal and don't do any abdominal exercises until the gap closed. It was the worst advice of my life, but this was my first baby plus she was born in a foreign country where I didn't have the support network of moms who might know better that I might find in the States. So I did what the doctor said, forgot about the gap, did absolutely no ab work, and--surprise!--10 months later I was pregnant again. My diastasis was still there and caused no problems with my pregnancy. However, my belly grew to HUGE proportions. I believe that was partially my diastasis and partially my lax ab muslces. I was regularly asked if I was carrying twins or triplets. Even my doctor (new doctor) said he had never seen anything like it, and he was the head of the gynecology department at the hospital, so I believe him! This, of course, made my DR much, much worse, which I am now living with until life takes my husband and I to the point where we can start trying for baby #3 (hopefully within 6 months). So the answer to the can-you-be-pregnant-with-a-diastasis question is yes, you can, and you should have no side effects or problems with it, other than a potentially monstrous belly.
By the way, like I mentioned before I have been using Carolyne Anthony's "Healing Exercises for a Diastasis" DVD for exercises to try to heal my DR. Carolyne has come out with an updated DVD with new DR exercises, and she was kind enough to send it to me. It is great--20 minutes worth of exercises and everything can be done by yourself on the floor, no special equipment required. I feel like these exercises are helping to strengthen my core, and I do think they are closing my DR, albeit s-l-o-w-l-y. At least my stomach is slowly flattening out...in the morning it's almost completely flat and by the evening I look about 4 months pregnant, three if I suck it in. This is pure vanity speaking, but for my the flat stomach is just as important as the DR healing. :)
If there is anyone else out there with encouraging DR healing stories (surgery or otherwise), please post it! These stories give me motivation to keep coping with this condition.
Laura :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 4:01 PM
diastasis
What is the name of Carolyne Anthonys dvd, I can't find it for post partum DR.
Monday, March 03, 2008, 1:00 PM