After giving birth to my daughter by caesarian section, (3rd child at 39) I noticed my stomach still looked 5 months pregnant nine months later. At my six week postnatal check-up, my stomach muscles were never checked to see if they were back to normal. I researched this online, to discover I had Diastasis Recti, a post partum condition which means my abdomen has separated due to pressure on it from my uterus. I did not realise this until nine months after the birth, when this was confirmed by my Doctor. This can be improved by exercises, but I will need an operation to repair the separated muscles. Unfortunately, I am 3 stones overweight, so will need to lose weight before I will be considered for surgery under the NHS.
My concern is that other mothers may have this condition undiagnosed. If left untreated, the muscle separation can get worse, so needs to be diagnosed early. This can leave you quite depressed when left with a pregnant-looking belly and the only clothes that will fit are maternity clothes! Not to mention the constant strain this places on your lower back.
Anyway, I hope this helps and alerts other new mothers.
Thank you for reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diastasis_recti
