Should I feel terrible for envying the woman I saw in the once in the pool who looked like she had spent 9 months doing ab crunches and not growing a human being in her belly? I guess not. Envy is not something that I often feel but I looked at her cradling her baby in a bikini looking awesome and I felt like crying, I didn’t want to get out of the water and parade my poking out saggy abdomin.When I think of the first time I saw by body post baby a sense of anxiety starts heating up in my chest and creeping up my throat, giving me that lump you get when your about to cry. I must have been more vain than I thought before having kids because excepting a new body image has been really hard for me.
Anyway I am feeling more positive than ever now that I can except this new me. And really it is a small sacrifice for two beautiful boys. You can not see the stretch marks in the picture below but you can see the bloated look and the lack of definition. Also the saggy skin that hangs lower on one side! This is the first picture I have taken of it and that is only because It is looking a lot better these days.
I have been getting the feeling that my readers have been wanting me to elaborate a bit on the topic of Diastasis Recti. I apologise if this is not the case and I am about to bore you with the science.
Pronunciation:dye-uh-STAY-siss REK-tye Also Known As:diastasis, abdominal separation Definition:Diastasis recti is a condition where the right and left sides of the rectus abdominus (the muscle that makes up the front wall of the abdominals, also known as the “six-pack” muscle) spread apart at the body’s midline. Diastasis negatively affects the strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain. |
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What causes Diastasis?
Abdominal separation occurs most often in response to the force of the uterus pushing against the abdominal wall during pregnancy, but can also happen when there is an extreme over-abundance of sub-muscular (visceral) abdominal fat. In pregnancy, hormones are also partially to blame, as they can soften connective tissue, allowing the separation to occur more easily.
Diastasis Recti Test
This simple self-test will help you determine if you have abdominal separation/diastasis recti and how severe it is.
1. Lie on your back with your knees bent, and the soles of your feet on the floor.
2. Place one hand behind your head and the other hand on your abdomen, with your fingertips across your midline –parallel with your waistline – at the level of your belly button.
3. With your abdominal wall relaxed, gently press your fingertips into your abdomen.
4. Roll your upper body off the floor into a “crunch”, making sure that your ribcage moves closer to your pelvis.
5. Move your fingertips back and forth across your midline, feeling for the right and left sides of your Rectus Abdominis muscle.
http://www.bellefit.com/diastasis.php
From my research I have found that this is a condition that also affects men due to either being obese or to exercising incorrectly over a long period of time. It can also be present in newborns.
me 11 months post second pregnancy, still 1.5cm separated (was 15cm)
There are health risks of having this condition and it does have an emotional impact on your life. I suggest that if you have done the test and you feel that you might have a separation then contact a physiotherapist that specialises in woman’s health.
I am sorry for the grusome image but this is what a GP told me I would have to have done and that there was no other alternative.
Pousti plastic surgery. Tummy tuck.
Pousti plastic surgery image. After a tummy tuck procedure
I might not look and tight and slim as this post op lady but my goodness, This is a drastic and expensive measure!
So I will have to embrase the scars and the sag and just look at the beautiful little humans I created.
Wow, love your honest writing – hope that many woman who are struggling with their post children bellies read this – you are looking beautiful and the love for your boys is felt by many who are reading your posts and looking at the pictures
– keep up the great work xx
Thank you for your ongoing support Gabi, you are a wonderful woman fighting for a cause that you truely believe in. An inspiration to me . x
http://www.freeyourself.com.au
Nothing is more important than your health. In this crazy era when self image will cause so much harm in so many areas, your tummy shows and reminds you of your beautiful boys, who cares what people see and think. because you have tight abs means that you will miss out on the joy of sleepless nights, toys every where, dirty nappies, no sleep, no sex life, but if you have a saggy tummy you do have hugs, kisses, and the looks of total trust knowing that you will love them regardless , just like the friends and family that know you will love you and your tummy. Tight abs are over rated.
Thank you Corinne, very true. And a good reality check! The moments of joy with your children make it all worth it.
Thanks for this very wise post Robyn! There are so many things in life more worthy of our time and money than these kinds of procedures…or stress! Thanks for reminding us of this and to support other women in remembering as well!
Your so right, and no worries. So what have you been up to in the kitchen? I look forward to reading more from you :0)
thanks for sharing
Hi gorgeous! I’m now 17 weeks pregnant, and I was researching too about diastisis recti, I think I have the beginning of it…And then I came across this Tupler Technique..did you ever consider doing it? I mean, apparantly you can close the diastasis without surgery, by following the tupler program!! I ordered it form the usa, i’m from Belgium. Apparently, you could use this even if you had babies 35 years ago! You can still close the diastisis or make it smaller! Just don’t do any crunches or situps, the will make it worse!
But other than that, life is indeed so much more than a perfect belly, cause I know people that are fighting cancer may God help than. They have to do many surgeries to cut out the tumors, they just want to stay alive! We have to be so thankfull for our health, and also the health of our kids! Cutting in a healthy body is indeed crazy, and extremely risky too! You are beautiful anyway!
Hello Thank you for letting me know about this Tuppler Technique. I will have a look at that. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope you dont have too much of a problem with abdominal separation. Looks like you are prepared for it though. Good on you. Let me know how things go. All the best.
I just had to add this comment that I actually recieved on my facebook page, Katies words are so touching and would inspire courage and joy in anyones heart so have a read! xxx Thanks Katie
Robyn ye love. I have enjoyed the words you have written and your honesty. You are very berry beautiful. I know it is hard to accept when things change and are out of your control, but your stretch marks and your skin and your tummy are part of what make you ‘you’. It looks soft and lovely and a great haven and place for snuggles for your boys to rest their heads when you cuddle them. These things tell a tale of bravery and love and now acceptance. It boosts your energy so much when you learn to love your body. Too much pressure to be something else in this world – but you truly are all that is beautiful. You are a beautiful mother. Loooove it as much as you can. That surgery is last resort for it looks painful. I think your tummy looks lovely. Different to before, but just bloody flippin lovely. xxx
Very interesting subject, regards for putting up.
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After i had my son i noticed that their was a portruding of my belly I’m thinking okay you just had a baby so duh. but my son is 3 now and every so often i get this lump that sticks out of my belly its a little hard and sometimes it hurts some times it leaves me in a lot of pain. I had went to my doctor for him to look at it but he brushed me off saying he couldnt find it its probably nothing but after seeing pictures and reading your story Im almost certain that i have a diastasis recti. Would ultrasound scanning prove this please help me
Hello Tianna. I am sorry to hear that your doctor brushed it off, this is not right at all. See another doctor. If they brush you off, see a physio. A simple test can determin whether you have diastasis recti which involves lying on your back, arching your neck and shoulders forward and pushing your fingers between your abdominals to see if you have a gap. There is info about this on the post. A physio might scan you to make a detailed diagnosis. You may have a hernia this is common especially in the naval area. Get a second opinion, good luck and let me know how you go.