Did you know 100% of women have some level of diastasis of the rectus abdominis (Ab separation) in the third trimester. (Gilliard and Brown 1996, Diane Lee 2013)
Diastasis Recti, also referred to as “Mommy Tummy” is the widening of the gap between the 2 sections of the Rectus Abdominis (or 6 pack) abdominal muscle. The split occurs at the Linea Alba, the mid-line collagen structures of connective tissue at the front of the abdomen.
Importantly, for many women the gap remains widened at 8 weeks, and left untreated, this distance at 8 weeks remains unchanged at 1 year postpartum. (Coldron et al 2008, Liaw et al 2011)
66% of women with diastasis recti have some level of pelvic floor dysfunction (Spitznagle et al 2007). Diastasis recti and pelvic floor problems tend to go together.
Crazy right?
When moms start to notice that their tummy is not changing, despite dieting and exercising this when they start to panic and begin doing these common ab exercises to help shrink down their mid-section.
But did you know these 3 common ab exercises actually make your Ab-Split and Mommy Pooch worse?
STOP PERFORMING THESE AB EXERCISES ASAP!
1. Crunches
2. Sit-Ups or twisting sit-ups
3. Straight-leg lifts
Anything that ‘jack-knifes’ the body, by pivoting at the hip and placing strain on the abdominals.
Even a lot of plates and yoga moves have to be avoided until your Mommy Tummy is fixed.
If you suspect that you have Mommy Tummy (and again 100% of women do have some sort of ab split) download my FREE Lose The Mommy Tummy guide and learn the exercises you need to start doing to get rid of your dreaded Mommy Pooch.