Hellobee Boards

I have this and it's just like you describe - several inches wide from belly button to sternum!

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: http://trulife.com/all-products/orthotics/spinal/maternity-belts/embrace-ultimate-support-maternity-belt.

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.

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.