anyone heard of diastasis recti? or pp sagging belly?

[art4babies]

I am going into my doctor on Friday to ask about this. I have been having back and pelvic pains, as well as what I best described as a herniated muscle on my upper rib cage. My doctors acted totally confused and offered no solution - perhaps they assumed I wanted drugs which I politely refused. I have been having these problems since my first daughter 12 years ago, and it got REALLY bad with my second daughter 10 months ago. Yes, I have been assuming that it was all in my mind for all these years, but then my friend (who is very smart, by the way) came up with a diagnosis: diastasis recto. This is where the abdominal muscles separate, and in my case, they never went back. I looked two months pregnant after my first daughter, and now I look 6 months pregnant - and this is 10 months after my last dd was born. (The extra pouch SHOULD be gone by now.) I am trying to find some information on this, and it would be great if anyone out there new about this and perhaps got treated, how bad their case was and if they opted for exercises or surgery, etc.

[Glittergal]

yup! i examine all my postpartum ladies for this and have them to light crunches (just chin to chest). this usually closes those muscles up with in a few weeks. i think alot of back pain in women may be caused by this lack of muscle tone but i'm not sure if extreme back pain would occur. perhaps you have a back problem that is even more exacerbated by your diastasis separation?

there is an easy way to check for it. lay down, put your chin to your chest and feel with your fingers for a gap between muscles right below your umbilicus.

i've never heard of surgery to correct this. just chin ups.
do you have access to elizabeth nobles exercises for the childbearing year? it is excellent and talks about it more.

hope that helps!

[art4babies]

I have heard of the way to check, however, I feel absolutely NOTHING - no muscles at all. I mean, I REALLY look 6 months pregnant - been asked "when are you due?" - no muscles to speak of, so I am a bit concerned to start an exercise program without the advice of a physician. I am trying to gain some information because I am concerned that my doctor is going to say "diastasis WHAT?" None of them even mentioned the possibility to me as of yet.