stomach muscles

[MyL&S]

Since having my beautiful girl no. 2# :p my stomach muscles have seperated, well they were not that good to start with.. I have had a physio appointment so i could been taught how to do the exercises correctly.. I feel very attractive now :D i have to wear hugh underwear to give support and a belly brace to hold me in and give the added support..

My question is has this happened to any other mums? and if so what kind of time frame am i looking at before the muscles will tighten given that i do these exercises daily..

[TwoBlue]

i didnt have this happen to me but my girlfriend who had twins did, she still has some separation and her twins are nearly 2....
She found she had the best results when she was able to go to Pilates classes but had to stop them due to time and funds...
Perhaps you could look into Pilates?

[Chickadee]

I'm not sure if this is exactly the same as what you mean, but we had a physio visit the hospital while I was there and check all the mums. That thing where you lie on your back and just lift your head & shoulders so you can feel the separation below your belly button? Anyways, I was shocked to fit two fingers into that gap :eek:

It took about 1.5 years to resolve, though my belly isn't as flat as it used to be. But then again, I was pretty lazy about working at it most of the time and didn't do the recommended exercises on a daily basis.

[MyL&S]

thanks samsmum04 i will try pilates..
and marthaM my muscles are 3 fingers separted.. been doing my excercises and hopefully it will go back to normal.. Also wanted to say marthaM your daughter is so cute love the red hair

[Chickadee]

Thanks Alicia :) Good luck with the exercises. They really do work, when you do them. I haven't done pilates but my hub has, and the exercises the physio gave you should be on the same principle as pilates - strengthening your entire core, tummy, sides and back.

[blessed]

I have worked with hundreds of post partum women over the years, in an exercise setting.

With regards to the separation of the abdominals. it happens to many women, particularly if they were fairly taut/slim to start with.

For many women it does not go back to normal, especially if you have had more than one child. The key is to be strict on yourself and keep doing your exercises. Alot of physios are great, up until a certain stage, then seem to be too afraid to work you hard enough to make further improvements.

I always recommend that women do something like pilates pre and post birth, but don't stop when you think you have done enough. Keep doing your exercises. This should also help to maintain the strength and health of your pelvic region which, we all know, is vital as we get older.

Yoga may also help you to strengthen your back and abdominal region while keeping flexible and relaxed.

I hope this helps you out. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

bromley_leanne@hotmail.com

Good luck
Leanne

[MyL&S]

Thanks for the reply leanne,

Thats thing thing i find is that i'll do the exercises and then then next day i forget..I really have to try and be strict on myself to make sure i do them..I see the physio next week again.. I've been sick so i have'nt wanted to do them either..

[MilkOnTap]

I am ttc at the moment - are there any exercises I can do now and through the pregnancy to avoid muscle separation? Or is it just one of those things that 'can happen'?

[Chickadee]

I am ttc at the moment - are there any exercises I can do now and through the pregnancy to avoid muscle separation? Or is it just one of those things that 'can happen'?

Ally, I don't really know. But I do know that once you're pregnant you need to be cautious about most tummy exercises. Crunches are out (not a bad thing!). I did yoga till about 31 weeks and was always given a lower intensity alternative when it came to stomach and back.

[MilkOnTap]

Thanks Martha! Guess that means I have to do the crunches now BEFORE I conceive...

But do I have to!!!! :D


Cheers,

[flower]

Sorry girls, But is that the dish?? happening bellow the belly button? Its like a concave hollow? Is that the seperation?
O's mom.