This is a picture of my third pregnant belly at 7 months. By far, my biggest baby, my most demanding baby, and also my sweetest baby. My pregnancies were 21 and 22 months apart respectively. I’ve always been a slender and fit person (5′ 8″ tall and 130 lbs) and was lucky enough not to get stretch marks, but I did get a rather generous case of diastasis (separation of the abdominus recti muscles) that I have not been able to resolve despite a very athletic lifestyle. I have chronic abdominal pain and fatigue from holding in my belly, or “engaging the core” as we like to say in my fitness classes. Relaxing it is painful. I have a bulge that is always bigger than my frame and although my third child is 18 months and my bodyfat percentage is 18, I am constantly congratulated on how “cute” I look as a pregnant person. “How far along are you? Four? Five months?” My husband had a vascectomy 17 months ago. I breastfed all three of my children and my former 34B’s are now 36AA’s. And they seem to be located a bit lower than they were previously. But, they just don’t bother me in the same way that my belly does. Truthfully, I love my body. As long as I don’t bend over (abundant pleats), I think I look damn good. However, due to the necessity of a diagnostic laparoscopy (fluid collection of unknown origin in the pelvis) and appendectomy (abnormal positioning, possible inflammatory process), I am looking into having my diastasis repaired at the same time. I didn’t realize this meant a tummy tuck. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I have a constellation of moles on my belly that will be sorely missed. I like my slightly hooded out-ty navel. Quite frankly, its wierd to think about losing part of my body even though it is, at this point, redundant and annoying. I see the plastic surgeon next week for a consultation and for all I know, he may find it completely unnecessary. But, I’m secretly hoping he won’t.
One of my former bosses had the same condition as you after having three beautiful children. Like you she had reservations about having a tummy tuck to correct it but over time the condition adversely affected her health to a great degree. In the end she opted for the tummy tuck and said she has felt great ever since. Best of luck!
I too had a rectus split after my DS. It was almost a year later and I started working out again and bam, PAIN. I’m now pregnant with #2 and having many more symptoms. I’ll let you know what I end up doing after this baby and see if it works.
um wow, you’re beautiful. i just looked at the pic only didn’t read your story. pic is gorgeous and i’m done! haha
wow you look great i have
diastasis very bad – i had my 3rd at 39 after a 12 yr. difference in my youngest.. he was 10 lbs, 21 inches! im 5’2 so he killed me. I am going to see about a tummy tuck because it actually hurts my back really bad. its the only thing that will fix it. my trainer told me situps can make it worse.
insurance should cover this stuff!
Hey gals, its me. I had the surgery 8 months ago and couldn’t be happier. I not only look better, I have more energy, I no longer have the bowel issues I was having (thought it was IBS), and have a lot more stamina and endurance for daily tasks, and this is wierd, my chronic nausea is gone.
Found out that I had a cluster of cysts on my fallopian tube (all of which are now gone), my appendix was attached to my pelvic wall (also gone), I had adhesions in my colon, and my diastasis was SIX INCHES WIDE with a hole in the middle otherwise known as an umbilical hernia. Although I could pull my muscles together within a two inch space, I could always feel the redundant connective tissue so I knew it was wide, but holy cow!
Anyway, yes, insurance should pay for this, for all mothers. I was on medication for depression and insomnia from the chronic pain and I’m off all of my meds now and feel fantastic.
I just feel fantastic.
Please email me more.. i have a ton of problems too with the diastasis.. i had two pregnancies, the second being twins and at 5′ 2″ I gave birth at 37 1/2 weeks to two boys.. 6lb 7 oz and 6lb 14oz.. I’m soo very happy with my family but now that i’m even less than my prepregnancy weight at 119 pounds my stomache sticks out considerably(My boys are now 10 months old)..and it is sore and depressing. (no Girdle can hold it in.. :( I’ve been dying for more information…
petersonmama@yahoo.com
thanks!
Shannon