Calling all c-section mamas

[Susana]

Hey girls!
It's been a while...

Just a quick question to all c-section mommies, or anyone else who know someone going/gone thru this..

It's been almost 11 months since I had my son. I am still losing weight, and still need to lose around 6-5kg to reach my pre-pregnancy weight, and then another few to be where I was at when married :eyeroll:

Anyway, have u heard of Diastasis? I think I have this?! :(
The stupid lower tummy part, just above the vajayjay is horrible. I cannot feel it when I poke it, it just seems dead. Its a dropped like part, actually a pouch. I dont know what the heck, but its kicking my self-steem. Anyway, I read somewhere and some people call it the vajayjay hat, which I thought it was hilarious, but sad :hehe: :( anyway, does anyone have this? how to correct it? I am searching to see what to do about it. I feel it will never go away :(d

[Jojo]

Here is what I found on it:

Diastasis is a separation of the two halves of the rectus abdominis muscle in the middle of our belly that sometimes occurs during pregnancy. You can check for it by lying on your back with your knees bent. (If you start to feel faint while on your back, roll to your left side; then use pillows under your shoulders to prop yourself up.) Place your fingertips 1 to 2 inches below your bellybutton, fingers pointing toward your feet. Lift your head as high as you can and see if you feel a ridge protruding from the midline of your abdomen - that's diastasis. If you have it, take care to not exacerbate the separation when you do abdominal exercises. Try a modified ab crunch: If you are past your first trimester, prop yourself up with pillows so your shoulders are higher than your belly. Wrap a sheet or towel (folded lengthwise to about 8 inches wide) around your waist and criss-cross it in front. Don't knot it. Grasp and pull the ends up and outward at 45-degree angles as you contract your abdominal muscles, exhale and raise your head. Do not lift your shoulders. Diastasis often heals after childbirth. If yours does not, talk to your OB-GYN.

It supposedly occurs during Childbirth so I don't know if what you have is that. I'm sorry :bluehug:

[Leah]

I'm not sure what diatasis is but I did have a c-section and yes I had the hanging pouch. It very slowly got better and better. I still have a small one, but it doesn't just hang like a flap in the wind anymore. ;)The numbness is normal too. I still have that. It has gotten better though. I have talked to other c-section mommies about the lack of feeling in that area near the incision and many of them have said it just stays that way.

[Susana]

I'm not sure what diatasis is but I did have a c-section and yes I had the hanging pouch. It very slowly got better and better. I still have a small one, but it doesn't just hang like a flap in the wind anymore. ;)The numbness is normal too. I still have that. It has gotten better though. I have talked to other c-section mommies about the lack of feeling in that area near the incision and many of them have said it just stays that way.

Oh no! :(
Thanks anyway.

I have found a site that has exercises that helps getting the muscle back together.

Let's see how it goes. :support:

[Susana]

It supposedly occurs during Childbirth so I don't know if what you have is that. I'm sorry :bluehug:

No Idea.
I have to research more.! :support: thx

[bettercowpatty]

The muscle separation is normal during pregnancy. I think they should reattach, but you can help it along by exercising. A c-section certainly doesn't help, I wouldn't think, since you have also cut through the muscles the other direction, giving your body even more to heal.

Oh, and I had the numbness too for several months. I think its totally gone now so it should just clear up on its own.

[Jane99]

This was my 3rd c-section. My belly fold or flap is there and will take longer to go away, but I think with some crunches it will get better. Mine only covers my scar, it doesn't hang too low. I remember reading that sometimes it never goes back to being flat or semi flat because it's the skin that has stretched and the muscles can no longer pull that in flat.

I also have the numbness, but I remember after my first, it was gone by the time I had my second child 3 years later.

[Ashley]

I have no advice, just wanted to offer hugs! :hug:

[Meshell]

I still have the numbness. It's normal. They cut through a lot of nerves.