Repairing Ab Muscle Separation Postpartum

[iashuna]

I dont quite understand how lifting your head helps contract those muscles...

I am about 37 weeks pregnant... I feel the gap atm. What is the chance of them correcting after birth? Also I am glad I found this, but iif you can explain a little better wwhy it helps that would be great.

[katulka2]

@iashuna I think after your pregnancy you will be able to feel what this exercise does. Lifting only your head isolates the muscles in the very center of your abdomen, whereas full crunches work your outer abs too. When you work the very inner muscles while holding them together, it helps build new muscle tissue between them and helps them pull back together. I'm no expert, but I could feel the difference. Good luck! :)

[fatherjon908]

Is it ever too late to start these exercises for this problem? If years have gone by, can these exercises still work?

[katulka2]

@fatherjon908 I'm sorry but I honestly don't know the answer. I only know as much as I shared in the video, but I encourage you to ask your doctor or maybe talk to a physical therapist or someone. Please let me know if you find out!

[AliaForever210]

Omg if I knew what to do I would of found this video sooner .. I had my daughter almost 2 years ago in March ... is it too late to do this exercise. I didn't start to realize I had a little separation until 4 months ago when i started to really exercise .. also my stomach been flat this whole time so i didn't notice the separation

[TheAmandakev]

are you supposed to contract the abs as you exhale or just leave them, and take it easy?

[katulka2]

@TheAmandakev I relax them as I exhale. Sorry to just see your comment now! :)

[zkt8ef]

Not sure if I missed this,but any update? Have the muscles repaired more? Thanks, I will definitely watch for this postpartum!

[katulka2]

@zkt8ef Sorry, I probably haven't updated on this... 4 months pp, there is still a small separation right above my belly button but it is smaller and less deep than before. In general, I feel like this exercise really strengthened my core and repaired most of the damage. :)

[danagradaya]

I have a question. Did you wear one of those post-partum belly bands after you gave birth? If so, what was your experience with it in terms of your abdominal muscles? When would be the ideal time to identify this problem and begin repair?

[Launderlife]

Great great great video. I'm saving in my favorites for after my someday baby. Thanks!

[katulka2]

@Launderlife Yay! :)

[alandamandamama]

GREAT Video!! How do you know if you get this muscle separation? I have never heard of it!!

[katulka2]

Respond to this video... I think you just have to check yourself after 4 days PP. I hadn't heard anything about this either!!

[AnasJourney]

Great video! I wish everyone knew of this. Now I know for the future!

[katulka2]

@AnasJourney Spread the word! :)

[AnasJourney]

@katulka2 Yes, definitely.

[TTCaMiniMash]

I'll be referencing this later (hopefully for myself!) You're in better shape 6 weeks postpartum than I am before pregnancy! LOL

[katulka2]

@TTCaMiniMash Excellent! You are such a hoot. :)

[Aliwisha1]

I have the same thing!! I thought I was the only one but then I saw your vid :)

[katulka2]

@Aliwisha1 I have a feeling there are a lot of us, all thinkiing the same. :)

[Jlk6532]

The same thing happened to me when I was pregnant. My OB just me to wait 2 years before I have another baby so that it could close back up properly. At the end of my pregnancy it was so painful to even touch that area of my stomach, did you have that?

[katulka2]

@Jlk6532 Mine isn't painful to the touch, but my abs in general feel weak and not that great... Did yours get better over time?

[Jlk6532]

@katulka2 It was only painful while I was still pregnant, I healed fine and feel normal, the OB did tell me to try to wait 2 years between babies because of it., that's it.

[kyleandjessP]

I saved this for post pregnancy (ya know when that happens!). Thank you for sharing! :)

[katulka2]

@kyleandjessP My pleasure! :)

[rachg09890]

thanks for sharing! Would it be useless to do it after the second baby if this did occur after my first??

[katulka2]

@rachg09890 I honestly have no idea, but it seems worth a try!

[SofiaAlejandra9]

Does this mean that the ab wall is weak or damaged?? My ab wall is really weak from having two c sections...I wonder if this would help?

[katulka2]

@SofiaAlejandra9 I really don't know. Sorry! Let me know if you try it & it helps tho. :)

[SofiaAlejandra9]

@katulka2 I felt around on my ab muscles and there is clearly a gap between my muscles, I hope it isn't too late for me to repair :(

[AlaskanMommy907]

thankyou! i had that, my docter said there was nothing i could do to fix it, so thanx!

[katulka2]

@AlaskanMommy907 You're welcome!

[fcossell]

Thanks for sharing. I knew nothing about this but I do have it so its probably too late for me. And look at you! You whipped right back into shape. You look great!

[katulka2]

@fcossell Maybe it can help after #2?? And thank you, lol. I sure don't feel the same! :)

[TTCbabybump]

Wow there is so much I still don't know about pregnancy.

[burbujajg]

Thank you I am so going to need this!

[amweeks0504]

Oh thanks for making this vlog.... super informative! :)