I never knew it could happen.
There I was, going about my merry first pregnancy, growing bigger by the day. After having my 9 pound, 2 ounce son, I still didn’t know it had happened. My tummy never quite went back to its previous shape, but then plenty of women told me, “that’s normal; everything is in a different spot than it was before you had the baby.” So I tried not to think too much about it.
It became more obvious with my other pregnancies though, and at some point I figured out what had happened.
I had diastasis recti.
WHAT IS DIASTASIS RECTI?
(Before you go running for the hills, let me assure you: it has no connection to the word “rectum.”)
The connective tissue between my abdominal wall had torn.
Plainly, there is a gap between the two sides of my abs. So instead of a six-pack, I’ve got two three-packs. Or, to be realistically honest, just two sides of my tummy. And they aren’t eager to reconnect.
After some of my pregnancies, with some combination of exercise and weight loss and wearing a medical-grade girdle, I’ve seen various levels of the appearance of reconnection (i.e., it didn’t look terribly like two bulgy, disconnected sides), but I don’t know that they’ve ever truly gone back together.
So now that you know what we’re talking about, let’s dive in…
WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST THING ABOUT DIASTASIS RECTI IN PREGNANCY?
This is my 5th month of pregnancy with our 7th child. And last week, I remembered what the weirdest thing about diastasis recti in pregnancy is.
The weirdest thing is NOT:
- that by the 7th month of pregnancy, everyone who looks closely at my belly swears that I’m carrying twins because each side is so bulgy and distinct
- that my belly button is off-center
- being able to press my fingers down into the center of my stomach and feel the two sides of my abs press in when I do postpartum crunches
Nope. Those things are all true, but they aren’t the weirdest thing about it.
The weirdest thing is this:
Each pregnancy, when the baby starts TRULY kicking and squirming and jumping and jabbing and wiggling and twirling, I can distinctly feel the outline and curve of every single movement through the 2-3 inch gap down the center of my stomach. This is 100 million percent different than normal “feeling the baby kick”… this is not feeling it from the inside, sweet movements that make you smile and giggle and surprise you with their strength.
No, this feels more like alien movements, and– honestly?– sometimes gets scary because it feels like the baby could just poke right through.
I mean, and I am saying this without exaggeration (if you knew me you’d know I’m not given to hyperbole and drama in medical things), the fingers that push outward feel like they are going to press right through. That’s because, essentially, between the baby’s finger and the air I’m breathing is uterine wall (which is about as thick as skin) and skin. That’s it. No muscles to pad the movements. It feels very very very bizarro-land weird and, yes, it can be wonderful. And it can even be fun. It’s amazing to be able to feel and interact with my baby with virtually no barrier at all.
But it’s definitely bizarro-land weird.
And each time it happens, it takes me by surprise. I forget how truly wild it is to feel each movement so distinctly. To be able to place my hand there and feel the exact form of my baby’s little rump or the jab of a heel. And again, I don’t mean in the same way that I feel it on the outsides of my belly, or the way I felt it the first time around. That is very very different. Wonderful, too.
But it is different, weird, poky, and surprising to feel him through the 2-3 inch seam (or rather, to be more precise, torn seam) down the center of my belly. Which is what I began feeling about a week ago, right around 27 weeks.
THAT, friends, is the weirdest thing about diastasis recti in pregnancy.
I am due to have my 8th little one in less than 2 weeks and have also dealt with diastasis recti through many pregnancies. I can totally relate to what you’re saying! It’s amazing in a strange sort of way to feel those movements and stretches so distinctly! I’m quite thankful that our uterine wall and outer skin is strong enough to keep that little one within!! 🙂
YES! Even now it can be borderline alarming in how it feels, but God is so amazing to make our bodies strong and durable to keep these little ones safe. 🙂
If you haven’t already, check out fit2b.us and the tummy team! They specialize in healing (and preventing) DR. They have options for during pregnancy and postpartum. I’ve found it to be really helpful. 🙂
I second this! I’m doing The Tummy Team’s online rehab program right now. At one year postpartum, my diastisis is small (2 fingers) and shallow (meaning the connective tissue has thickened back up), but my core muscles have been on vacation!
They do not believe there is any time limit on healing a DR. They have successfully helped women years later. Men and children can also develop DR because it’s not caused by pregnancy, per se, but by outward pressure in the abdomen. Hope that helps!
I just remembered that you’re actually right in their area now–you could go see Kelly (from The Tummy Team) in person! Her office is in Camas. I drove 1 1/2 hrs. to get a hands on session with her last month when she was on the east coast for a weekend, and it was so helpful.
Yes, I’ve heard great things about them… and am considering it once life slows down.
Wow, that is good to know. I had twins for #5 and #6. My stomach separated big time and for awhile wasn’t sure what was going on until I started talking to other women. I’ll have to remember this if God blesses us with more.
Carrie, the thing my midwife told me is that basically, you have 12 months after having a baby to reconnect the sides, otherwise they will remain disconnected. So the main thing is that after each baby, you do abdominal exercises to bring them closer and closer together. Wearing a girdle, or wrapping, can actually help also, so that the two sides are held closer together. The main thing is to not lose time, to make the most of those early postpartum months, if you want to repair/heal diastasis recti.
I agree with everything you said, and I have an addition.. Your pelvic floor is also related! I went to a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor (for other issues) and she was explaining that a weak pelvic floor can also hinder healing! So some of those exercises as well as specialized abdominal exercises can help bring healing to the abdomen.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I am hoping to get pregnant soon and was wondering what movements in my next pregnancy would feel like, and you describe what I was imagining would happen. My first baby was 9lb9oz, so my opening is like yours. I feel a lot happening in my GI tract on a regular basis as if it contained a tiny fetus, but alas no baby yet.
Hi, do you know whether it can be dangerous for the baby? I have a 5 finger gap and am experiencing the weird phenomenon you described. I’m worried that if something presses too hard on or knocks my belly it could hurt the baby with so little protection for him 🙁 Have you heard/read/been told anything about this? Thanks x
Hi Cathryn,
I don’t believe it’s dangerous for baby at all… but if you’re concerned you should definitely ask your midwife/doctor about it and confirm that.
Jess
Hi this is so good to know and prepare for! I’m 16 weeks, 8th pregnancy and have noticed a severe change in my stomach muscles after my last delivery. I had wondered what all that might mean for this pregnancy. In your experience, did it take longer to feel those first flutters? I’m still not feeling major movement at all, and at almost 17 weeks it’s feeling kind of late. I felt my others so much sooner. Could this be because of the diastasis recti do you think? Thanks for any thoughts!