https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:24:07 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diastasis-ab-separation-during-pregnancy#post-748457 Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:43:44 +0000 charlotte 748457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had that and it's back to normal now without doing anything-6 wks post csection. And no pot belly! Around 30 weeks I really started watching how I sat up.... ie a carefully executed side roll and elbow prop up. And got a Gabriela support belt for walking and picking things up (grocery bags, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diastasis-ab-separation-during-pregnancy#post-748445 Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:33:27 +0000 fairy 748445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have diastasis recti, looks like a mountain peak on my belly when I tighten my abs to sit up from laying down or lift my legs while lying down. My OB said that it is normal and usually goes back to normal after pregnancy, but I know that some people have issues and it needs to be put back together with surgery - hopefully that's not the case! I've also heard, like pp said, to not do ab exercises (other than ones where you are pulling your abs to your spine, like "sucking in" since that doesn't affect it) as it can exacerbate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diastasis-ab-separation-during-pregnancy#post-745707 Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:51:58 +0000 Bookish 745707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarahbee: Thanks for the response! I'll definitely try what your doctors suggested. Its such a weird feeling 0_o, and now I'm worried about having a pot belly after! Ah well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diastasis-ab-separation-during-pregnancy#post-743103 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:24:44 +0000 sarahbee 743103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have this and it's just like you describe - several inches wide from belly button to sternum! </p> <p>I've talked to my OB, my doula and my trainer about this... their only suggestion for while I'm still pregnant is not to use my abs at all. So, for example, when I need to sit up in bed, I roll to one side and then push myself up with my arms. I'd already cut out any and all dedicated ab work from my exercise routine after the first trimester per my trainer's instruction (long before this became a problem). And my OB suggested a support band too - she said it wouldn't exacerbate the problem and might help it from getting worse. The one she suggested looks like this: <a href="http://trulife.com/all-products/orthotics/spinal/maternity-belts/embrace-ultimate-support-maternity-belt" rel="nofollow">http://trulife.com/all-products/orthotics/spinal/maternity-belts/embrace-ultimate-support-maternity-belt</a>.</p> <p>Anyway, for now I'm just hanging out with a huge gap in my abs, hoping that after I give birth it will close. I know it won't happen immediately and I'd be willing work with a physical therapist to help it close if I can find someone in my area who specializes in this kind of thing. But that's several weeks/months off as I'm only 34 weeks right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diastasis-ab-separation-during-pregnancy#post-742739 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:22:15 +0000 Bookish 742739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did your stomach feel like towards the end of pregnancy? I noticed last night when I try to sit up in bed that the whole middle of my stomach, from just under my bra to my belly button,bulges in a big vertical weird thing. I hadn't noticed it up until yesterday, and I'm just wondering if it's normal. 0_0 It scared the heck out of DH when I had him put his hand on it</p> <p>! It doesn't really hurt, other than the aches I've been having in that area, but it's definitely weird and bulgy and noticeable! All I'm reading on the internet says diastasis is smaller, usually only centimeters or an inch, and this is like several inches, so it has me pretty curious as to what it could be! </p>