Separation of Ab muscles after pregnancy

kb2699
kb2699 Posts: 80 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello,

I have two kids, with my youngest now nearly two. I have noticed that when I tense my abdominal muscles that there is a gap inbetween (I can fit my fingers in the gap). From what little knowledge I have, I think this is probably where my muscles stretched and changed to accommodate the baby but due to my lack of exercise has never gone back. Has anyone else experienced this? I've been doing crunches, etc but there's still a gap, and my tummy never seems to get smaller whilst the rest of me is - are there any particular exercises that I can do to help this?

I hope this isn't a stupid question. Any help would be gratefully received!

Thanks

Replies

  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    I just talked to my doc about that, and after all my resistance training for the past few years, I still have to get it fixed. She said that crunches, etc., can actually make it worse. I would consult your doctor. Best of luck.
  • kb2699
    kb2699 Posts: 80 Member
    Thanks. I was hoping I could do some gentle exercises of some sort :frown: I'm off to the drs on Friday anyway so will ask her about it then.

    Thanks for your help!
  • Amandawith3kids
    Amandawith3kids Posts: 367 Member
    there is a program by julie tupler specifically for this. i tried it but couldnt stick with it, my mind cant focus on my abs during every.single.thing. i do all day, but i;ve had several friends have great success in closing the gap. my gao is about 8 fingers wide, and very deep. i'm just gonna save up the money for a tummy tuck.
  • djs2303
    djs2303 Posts: 93 Member
    Im sure this is something that could/should be fixed by surgery, If the muscles are too far apart to re-fuse back together, then the only way is for them to be pulled and stitched together.

    As said previously, Go to your doctors, maybe do a little research so you know what he/she is talking about, and so that you know if you meet the criteria for surgery
  • reach4thestar
    reach4thestar Posts: 174 Member
    This sounds like diastasis recti....I had it post my 2 kids....the gap will gradually close but will take sometime...doing crunches will worsen it...so avoid it. There are some specific exercises to rectify Diastasis recti...you can google the same....
  • kb2699
    kb2699 Posts: 80 Member
    Thanks everyone :smile:

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