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Postnatal crunches can make 'mummy tummy' worse? Eeeeek! What? Can that be correct? I thought sit-ups were part of the recipe for a washboard stomach. Well, that is definitely not the case if you have just given birth to a sweet little bundle of joy that has unfortunately left you with abs separation. I've learned that curling movements and those that load the core too much can exacerbate the problem and leave us with a pot belly. Perhaps not the look you are going for long term? Me neither!
It was actually happening to me. I was getting fitter but my belly was pooching and I was experiencing some bladder leakage after tough workouts. I’ve started studying for certifications in this area because I want to serve you better than 99.9% of the fitness industry that neglects diastasis recti and pelvic floor function.
NOTE: First let me say, as new moms I think we should give ourselves a break and love our bodies. We should thank ourselves for growing these adorable little humans! I also hope that if we want a flat tummy again, and are wiling to work for it, we can have it.
I am in the process of healing my abs separation. You'll see my baby boy in the video above. I was fortunate to only have about two fingers of abs separation following his birth. The downside was that the separation was quite long and deep and my pelvic floor was a bit weak from a tough birth.
Some women have a lot more to heal so I feel fortunate. I have spent a lot of time and energy researching this condition. Diastasis recti is the official name. To get down to basics, according to WebMD,“Diastasis recti” means your belly sticks out because the space between your left and right belly muscles has widened. You might call it a “pooch.” It's very common among pregnant women. About two-thirds of pregnant women have it.
I've had a several physical therapy appointments and have been educating myself on diastasis recti and pelvic floor function.. In the video above, Tori from Peaches Pilates and I show you how to tell if you have abs separation and also demonstrate a few exercises she recommends to clients. As always, be sure to consult with your physician. Below you will also find a Q and A to dive a little deeper.
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