Diastasis recti (mummy tummy), how can I repair this after multiple c-sections? (muscles, firm up)

[JetLee380]

Having had three cesareans and now about to have a fourth I have been found to have a double navel hernia and a 3-4 fingers wide diastasis recti, basically split upper abdominal muscles going vertically down to the belly button. I am otherwise a fit person. I run 3 x a week (though not at the moment due to being pregnant and having placenta accreta, so high risk), I practice yoga and am active with my three young children.

I am so upset at seeing my tummy looking like I am perpetually 4 months pregnant, it feels hard and there is a definitive bulge around the belly button. I am 5"4 and normally weigh 110 lbs. no amount of exercise will trim my tummy.

My OB Gyn says I should get on with it and accept my new shape. I heard that a distention like this can be dangerous because you could trap part of your bowels in it. I am due for another csec but they cannot operate on the muscles at the same time because of hormones and not getting an optimal result (and the csec incision is far too low).

Sorry for going on a bit but basically I wonder where I could go and who I could see about this? I cannt have an operation 6 months after the birth because then I have a 6 month old heavy baby to schlepp around and three other kids to look after and no help so that I can lie and rest in bed for 2 weeks straight.

Any ideas? TIA

[TheyCallMeSunshine]

I feel you! Three babies - one C-section (16 yrs ago and just had two babies 2.5 years ago and 9 months ago, natural births) and I can still feel the separation. Alarming feeling!

The DR has gotten a lot better through transverse ab exercises. Your "inner corset" as they say. The movements are small, but effective. You really have to concentrate on "finding" your TVs because they are so deep and not easy to pinpoint. Once you can contract them at will, you can do the exercises to get results. One thing I've read over and over is to avoid any ab exercises that require you to lift both legs at once. This puts too much pressure on your abs and they tend to split more.

Google/youtube transverse ab exercises. A lot are post-baby workouts. Good luck! I know how depressing it can be!

[WildCard~]

Originally Posted by JetLee380

Having had three cesareans and now about to have a fourth I have been found to have a double navel hernia and a 3-4 fingers wide diastasis recti, basically split upper abdominal muscles going vertically down to the belly button. I am otherwise a fit person. I run 3 x a week (though not at the moment due to being pregnant and having placenta accreta, so high risk), I practice yoga and am active with my three young children.

I am so upset at seeing my tummy looking like I am perpetually 4 months pregnant, it feels hard and there is a definitive bulge around the belly button. I am 5"4 and normally weigh 110 lbs. no amount of exercise will trim my tummy.

My OB Gyn says I should get on with it and accept my new shape. I heard that a distention like this can be dangerous because you could trap part of your bowels in it. I am due for another csec but they cannot operate on the muscles at the same time because of hormones and not getting an optimal result (and the csec incision is far too low).

Sorry for going on a bit but basically I wonder where I could go and who I could see about this? I cannt have an operation 6 months after the birth because then I have a 6 month old heavy baby to schlepp around and three other kids to look after and no help so that I can lie and rest in bed for 2 weeks straight.

Any ideas? TIA

Have no ideal! I had our 4 babies during my 20's all natural and no my tummy never been what it was before kids. I'm now 50. I try just about every excises to try firm up tummy over the years, I workout 5-6 days, run, weights , bike and I eat all organic diet... I was lucky in that I have no tiger strips or stretch marks but like the doctor told me, you can't firm up stretched out skin....Need a tummy tuck fix that... Not gonna happen, I'm to chicken...