Diastasis Recti - Anyone have experiences with this?

amoment

Prior to becoming pregnant with my son I had a strong core and could easily do 100+ crunches in a single go. However, during my pregnancy he was very larger (over 10 pds) and I ended up with a separation (or overextension) between my abdominal muscles. I did physiotherapy for several months after his birth as I had difficulty getting up from a prone position etc. I have never regained great core strength (but I fully admit that I have been active since my son has been born but often avoid training my core because any core work is very painful to my lower back). My son is now 9 1/2 and I still struggle to do a minute of crunching (particularily anything that requires my legs to be off the floor and supported by my core). My back typically is in tons of pain before I even start to feel anything in my core.

Have any other women had this experience? Should I speak to my doctor about this or will it go away if I bite the bullet and stop avoiding my core work?

(This might be kind of gross but if I'm doing exercises when I'm on all fours, my stomach won't lie flat but will hang further in the middle than the sides).

HappyMeLovely

I have diastasis recti as well... you can improve your core strength but only surgery will completely correct the separation between the muscles. Planks, and other core exercises are helpful. I'd say keep up with the physiotherapy exercises that they gave you. DR is so annoying!

Cherimoose

There was just a discussion on it a few days ago. And about a week ago too. Try searching the forum.