Diastasis recti help?

miztbaby

I am currently 6 months postpartum and developed severe diastasis recti with my pregnancy. I am making a conscious effort with my posture and have looked up exercises on YouTube to correct it, but have not seen any improvement. My medical doctor told me to do planks, although everything I’ve read says absolutely no pressure pushing your abs out! I’ve made an apt with a physical therapist to see if she can help me correct the gap and will see her next week for the first time. Anyone with experience or advice? I just don’t want to look four months pregnant anymore- I can lose weight and exercise (and have been successful in the past) but I’m so nervous about making things worse!

DomesticKat

This is one of those things better left to your PT. Your doctor probably isn't super educated on this topic (many aren't) and did the right thing by directing you to PT. I would probably refrain from YouTube. I'm not convinced that there are any effective home exercises for it except maybe the most mild cases. If it's severe enough then surgery to correct it is an option. It's not something that can be changed by losing weight.

miztbaby

Unfortunately the doctor refused to refer me to a PT, so I had to go that route on my own.. not a huge deal, but frustrating that she acted like she was knowledgeable and that it was an “easy fix with planks”

wi1234567890

I would recommend a program called Restore Your Core by Lauren Ohayon. If you can’t make that investment just yet look into Diastasis Recti by Katy Bowman.

DomesticKat

That's incredibly frustrating, and no not an easy fix by just doing planks. You're doing the right thing by getting help on your own. Hopefully you can find a new doctor as well.

jennibabie87

I was on the same boat. I was told I had it but was never told that they don’t go back together on their own. I’ve gone from 2 fingers wide down to just under 1 in the gap. I’ve found amazing simple exercises that I can do in bed in the morning or at night. If you want to message me