Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Diastasis Recti - Post Partum Abs



Diastis Recti is when your ab muscles separate in the front for whatever reason.  In women, it is usually caused by pregnancy.  I was under the impression that the muscles eventually go back together, but that's not necessarily true!  I suspected I had an issue with DR and sure enough, I have about a 1.5 finger width separation.

My 3rd baby's pregnancy resulted in DR.  After I gave birth to him, I had a very painful umbilical hernia because of it.  Working out helped me lose weight and tone up, but I never fully got rid of the poochiness unless I lost a lot of weight and zipped up my abs as tight as I could all the time.  I also had a lot of problems with my pelvic floor, including bladder prolapse and sexual weakness and discomfort.  (Sorry anyone who knows me personally reading this and finding TMI, but I am trying to be transparent for any mom who's experienced this as well and wonders why).  I also had difficult to correct poor posture and painful problems with my hips.

After my 4th pregnancy, I wore a post partum binder to help get thing back in place.  I did plenty of kegals and joined the Beachbody program.  I lost most of the weight, toned up, got my guts back in place, but I still dealt with pelvic floor weakness, bad hip joint pain, poor-difficult to correct posture, and a poochy belly.

Now that I've discovered that I have DR, I would like to correct it.

Here are some links to help do that:

http://befitmom.com/diastasis_recti.html?gclid=CMCzheuW27QCFUQw4AodJwwAvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys7mb_PPuqA

http://mutusystem.com/diastasis-recti-exercises-what-works.html

2 comments:

  1. I know exactly how you feel and I know you'll get over this because I did. Hang in there, keep your chin up and be strong for your kid.

    Anyway, have you heard about vaginal mesh device? It's a popular corrective implant for pelvic organ prolapse. For those who have it and is now experiencing side effects, read more how a mesh lawsuit could help.

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  2. Hi Kateri - Just read this post. I had surgery after my 4th child to correct my severly prolapsed bladder and uterus. Surgery has made things worse. I've also wondered why, no matter how much I exercise and change my diet, I always have a poochy belly. Thanks for sharing!

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