Nearly 2/3 of new mothers experience that post-belly bulge or pooch that can have you looking like you are still pregnant. The official name for this condition is diastasis recti. It is due to your abdominal muscles and connective tissue separating to accommodate your growing baby. Although the main problem it brings is mostly cosmetic, it can also lead to pain and posture and mobility problems. Fortunately, it is reversible. Diastasis recti repair is an option you can take to get rid of that pooch and get you to feel stronger and better in life.
How to Know if You Have Diastasis Recti
Admittedly, that extra protruding belly after giving birth can also be due to the weight you gained during pregnancy. There is no shame in that. You deserved those extra pints of ice cream for carrying another human being for nine months. Those extra layers can hide your diastasis recti, but there is a way to check if you have it.
You can lie down with your back against a flat surface. Keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. With your palm facing your tummy, put one or two fingers on your midline. With gentle pressure, run your fingers along your midline above and below your belly button. You can also slightly lift your head like you are doing a mini-crunch. Doing so will activate your abdominal muscles and make the separation more apparent. Feel how deep and how wide the separation is between your abdominal muscles. Some separation can be as wide as four fingers.
Why Get Rid of Diastasis Recti
Although the main drawback to diastasis recti is the appearance, it also has functional problems. Your abdominal area does more than make you look fit. It also supports your upper body. With diastasis recti, your abdominal area is weaker, so you may experience pain in your back and pelvis. You may also have mobility and posture issues. Some women even experience constipation and urine leaking. Thus, if you have diastasis recti, you will want to get rid of it.
Surgery May Not be a Good Idea
Just like with any physical deformity, you can go for surgery. However, not only will it be expensive, but the recovery stage can be long and grueling. You will go home with drains, and once you can take them out, you will still be immobile. Surgeons will stitch and tighten the tissues around your tummy. Such procedures will have you immobile for months. That means no work, no date nights, and no playing with the kids. You will also say goodbye to plans of having a bigger family. Getting pregnant again will undo the effects of the surgery.
The Natural Method
Luckily, there are natural ways of diastasis recti repair. Health and fitness professionals who specialize in postpartum care design exercise programs to strengthen your abdominal area and promote re-healing. Not only can such programs fix that belly pooch, but it also will (1) not cost you a fortune, (2) you can remain active, and (3) you get a good workout. Some mothers even claim success after 12 weeks, which is possibly the least amount of time you will spend in bed after surgery.
If you are looking for methods of diastasis recti repair, the natural one may be the ideal option. Not only will you look better, but you will also feel better and stronger so you can live motherhood to the fullest.
