So I know that it's very common in pregnancy for a woman's abs to separate, and that they usually come back together on their own or with a little exercise. But I can clearly feel the gap between my abdominal muscles and it is nearly three finger widths apart- at only 24 weeks with a small bump yet-which I guess is the diagnostic criteria for rectus diastasis. *sigh* Has anyone else, particularly anyone who has had a child before, had this problem? I need to know:

*Did they really come back together naturally? Did exercise help?

*Did it get worse as pregnancy progressed, even if you were cautious about lifting and twisting and such? Is mine going to be huge???

*Should I start saving money now for a tummy tuck in ten years?

I'm not worried that my stomach will never be flat again as it never was in the first place; I've always had a rounded shape even at my thinnest. What does worry me is that I have scoliosis already, and I know that the ab muscles help support posture and that having them separated can make my back much worse.

Please help, anyone with any advice or experience with this!

didnt want to read & run, but sorry, I have no idea... I have heard that so long as you do gentle exercise post pregnancy to strengthen & tighten your abs again, they should go back to normal, but that it can take some time, obviously. Other than tha, I can't answer your Q. Hope someone can though!

I am wondering the same thing - as I am not that big yet but I definitely have this. I also have alot of ripping pain up the middle where the muscles are separating I have read that they do heal - it just can take months. Also that you shouldn't do alot of ab work after LO is born, because it can stop it from healing.

xx

I just got back from a Maternal Fitness Seminar regarding this for my online store. You can close your diasasis during pregnancy (and after for women who have had children). First off, do not do crunches. It only makes the separation worse. My store offers the products to correct this condition such as the DVD and splint. I too have this condition and am working at correcting it. I met Julie Tupler, the woman who created the technique used for fixing your diastasis. She held the seminar that I completed this weekend. Don't suffer. Correct the condition the right way.

Karla Trotman, owner
Bellybuttonboutique