Abdominal tearing/stretching? diastisis recti

[carrie24]

Hi,

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and have been experiencing what I believe to be a "rectal split". Sharp tearing pains (sometimes with only minor movement) in the upper abdominal area. The official name is diastisis recti (a stretching of the midline of the abdominal muscles). All info I find about this is post-natal. Is anyone else experiencing this???

I'm 5'3" and fairly small boned. I've gained about 32 lbs and looks like I have a basketball in my tummy. I used to be very athletic but have really cut back since becoming an incubator. I've been very good (no exercising on the back, trying to sleep on my left side, etc). This just seems to have come on all by it's self.

It hurts and I'm worried about labor & pushing. I'll bring it up w/my OB today but I see very little or NO pre-natal info on the subject.

Carrie

[AmBam]

Carrie ~ I think I have what you are talking about also. It's vertical, in my upper abs, above my uterus? Mine isnt' really painful yet. I had it a little with #2, and it's gotten much worse with this one #3. Like I said, I notice it, but it isn't real painful. My mw told me with #2, to be sure to get my stomach back in shape before getting pg again. Well I didn't but I am not too sure that that helps so much as I know mom's who have nice tight 6 pack abs before pg and get it also. HOpe that helps a little!

[carrie24]

Thanks Amber!

Got NO info from the OB visit except that "it happens and there's nothing you can do about it". Also that it usually heals by itself post-natal. OB never heard of the pre-natal pain before though?? I guess they just see to many big problems to be particularly concerned with this.

However, betweeen suggestions from my chiropracter, my doula and, believe it or not, my hubby... I've found that a combination of these have been helpful over the past few days to relieve the pain just a bit:

...Occasionally pushing my hands from the outside of my ribcage (or right below along the upper ab muscles) towards the inside (where it feels like the split is developing). Yes, above my uterus just like you said! It's sort of like warming up & stretching those outside muscles so they work there way back to the middle.

...Wearing my maternity belt across my upper abs throughout the day (especially with alot of movement).

...Rubbing 100% Vitamin E oil on the area & beyond and putting one of those rice filled hot pack (at a low temp, of course).

I've done this for two nights now and it has given me some noticable relief. I hope it is also preventing further tearing for now, too! I'll find out soon enough!

It's so fun to see our due dates so close together!!! I'm hoping for a Valentines Day baby,too (although a little sooner would be fine). I'm currently 1cm dialated, 0 station, 50% effaced and praying alot!

Good Luck and thanks for the reply!