Diastasis Recti Pain in Pregnancy?

[pamamidwife]

I have a client (G4P3, first was cesarean, last two HBAC) who, based on her symptoms, is having pain from a Diastasis Recti. Any ideas to lessen pain? Shes' in her third trimester.

[zoebird]

what sort of pain is it?

a number of my clients seem to have had a lot of pelvic pain this year, but none having DR pain.

there's an article in my sig line that talks about yoga movements to help prevent this process, and it may help reduce pain also.

and if you can tell me about the "feel" or the "type" of pain it is (stabbing, burning, aching, whether it moves and how), i might be able to find some other things that might work.

[onlyboys]

Has she tried any belly binding? Or perhaps a pregnancy support type thing? A doula client of mine had very minimal diastasis rectii separation and this was amazing with results for her. HTH!

[sevenkids]

Have her wear a maternity girdle, it helps immensely. Helps with pelvic pain, and round ligament pain, and back pain, too.
It also helps mamas feel more "put together" after baby, too.

[artemisia_vulgaris]

DR massage

There's a prenatal massage technique that may provide a measure of relief. In case you're not already familiar, here's a description. I found it helpful during my pregnancy to relieve the burning sensation of the DR. Some say that regular practice of the technique will help minimize the DR and speed post-partum recovery. Seemed to be true for me, but my DR was a little less than two finger-widths and only beneath the belly button. I've heard of much worse.

Mom can do it herself, but it's awfully nice to have someone else to it. Either way, interlace fingers so that palms are together. Beginning at the upper-most (cephalad) end of the rectus muscles, place the heels of the hands just outside of the lateral edge of rectus. Gently squeeze the palms together to proximate the rectus muscles toward the linea alba (or negra as the case may be). Start at the top and work your way down to the pubis. I hope that's reasonably clear.

Megan