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What You Can Do To Minimise Diastasis Recti While Pregnant

Posted February 28, 2021 by Gibwa 70790 0 0

The majority of pregnant women will experience diastasis recti (DRA) during and after pregnancy. This refers to the splitting of your two ‘6-pack muscles’ and it’s necessary in order to

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So hip dips are often something I look for when assessing clients for….well, most things. Back pain, hip impingement, diastasis recti, posture. They’re relevant for a whole lot more than just butt shape. And the real fun is when it’s just one-sided! 

It’s something I’ve touched on in other posts, but it often comes with a pelvis that’s tucked under; people who chronically clench their glutes; and those locking into their pelvis because of deeper abdominal and core weakness. 

I like to hold this position for up to 10 slow breaths and then move in and out of it for 10 reps. 

This is just one of the exercises I tend to go to, but there are so many other good ones. Do you have any favourites?

#pelvicphysio #gluteworkout #bbl #gluteexercise #bootyworkout
bellystrongmom
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So hip dips are often something I look for when assessing clients for….well, most things. Back pain, hip impingement, diastasis recti, posture. They’re relevant for a whole lot more than just butt shape. And the real fun is when it’s just one-sided! It’s something I’ve touched on in other posts, but it often comes with a pelvis that’s tucked under; people who chronically clench their glutes; and those locking into their pelvis because of deeper abdominal and core weakness. I like to hold this position for up to 10 slow breaths and then move in and out of it for 10 reps. This is just one of the exercises I tend to go to, but there are so many other good ones. Do you have any favourites? #pelvicphysio #gluteworkout #bbl #gluteexercise #bootyworkout
3 days ago
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1/10
I still remember a few days after delivery, noticing this bulge and thinking ‘Wtf is this???’. Even as a physio, the knowledge that my organs were descending out of my body honestly freaked me out. And I was scared. 

Did you know that half of women who’ve had kids will have prolapse, and most won’t even know about it? That’s because the presence of a bulge isn’t the issue. It’s what it causes. Heaviness. Pressure. Itchiness. And a lot of mental load. Because just knowing it’s there and being worried about making it worse, is sometimes the hardest thing to deal with. 

And even though I teach this to clients all the time, it’s still something that I had to embrace myself. A lot of rehab. Pressure management. Trial and error. Learning what MY body responds to (because it can be different for everyone). 

And I can honestly say it doesn’t really impact me much day-to-day, although I still wish it weren’t there. 

All that to say, prolapse is not a terminal sentence. You can still do all the ‘fun’ things. And your pelvic physio is the best person to help you get there. 

#pelvicphysio #prolapse #pregnancy #postpartum #womensfitness
bellystrongmom
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I still remember a few days after delivery, noticing this bulge and thinking ‘Wtf is this???’. Even as a physio, the knowledge that my organs were descending out of my body honestly freaked me out. And I was scared. Did you know that half of women who’ve had kids will have prolapse, and most won’t even know about it? That’s because the presence of a bulge isn’t the issue. It’s what it causes. Heaviness. Pressure. Itchiness. And a lot of mental load. Because just knowing it’s there and being worried about making it worse, is sometimes the hardest thing to deal with. And even though I teach this to clients all the time, it’s still something that I had to embrace myself. A lot of rehab. Pressure management. Trial and error. Learning what MY body responds to (because it can be different for everyone). And I can honestly say it doesn’t really impact me much day-to-day, although I still wish it weren’t there. All that to say, prolapse is not a terminal sentence. You can still do all the ‘fun’ things. And your pelvic physio is the best person to help you get there. #pelvicphysio #prolapse #pregnancy #postpartum #womensfitness
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
So one thing we can’t always control is the length of our labour. Some labours are long, and some are quick. And unfortunately a quick delivery is a risk factor for tears. 

But what we CAN control is how we ‘push’ - and I use inverted commas here, because technically the uterus pushes the baby out and we just allow it to work.

But pushing as hard and as fast as you can is not the way to do it. Warm compresses. Perineal pressure. Slow down breaths. Knowing how to let go through the pelvic floor. All of these can help us use that viscoelasticity in our favour, to minimise soft tissue strain and tearing. 

There are different ways to teach birth prep and they all have a role. I come at it quite anatomically minded as a pelvic physio, thinking about how different positions and actions affect the skeleton and soft tissue structures. And honestly it’s one of my favourite parts of the job 💜

#pelvicphysio #pregnancy #birthprep #laboranddelivery #pregnancyjourney
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
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So one thing we can’t always control is the length of our labour. Some labours are long, and some are quick. And unfortunately a quick delivery is a risk factor for tears. But what we CAN control is how we ‘push’ - and I use inverted commas here, because technically the uterus pushes the baby out and we just allow it to work. But pushing as hard and as fast as you can is not the way to do it. Warm compresses. Perineal pressure. Slow down breaths. Knowing how to let go through the pelvic floor. All of these can help us use that viscoelasticity in our favour, to minimise soft tissue strain and tearing. There are different ways to teach birth prep and they all have a role. I come at it quite anatomically minded as a pelvic physio, thinking about how different positions and actions affect the skeleton and soft tissue structures. And honestly it’s one of my favourite parts of the job 💜 #pelvicphysio #pregnancy #birthprep #laboranddelivery #pregnancyjourney
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
Yes that is birthday sign in the background. I recently turned 34 and it is still up 🙂

I do a lot of educating on here, so this is a little self promo if you’ll allow me. I’ve literally spent 6 years filming videos through pregnancy, postpartum and into general women’s fitness. So if you’re looking for something organised and built on the background of professional knowledge, the link in my bio will take you straight through to your 7-day free trial (use the code BELLY20 for a discount if you want to stay signed up). That is all 🙏🏽 

#womensfitness #fitnessapp #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
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Yes that is birthday sign in the background. I recently turned 34 and it is still up 🙂 I do a lot of educating on here, so this is a little self promo if you’ll allow me. I’ve literally spent 6 years filming videos through pregnancy, postpartum and into general women’s fitness. So if you’re looking for something organised and built on the background of professional knowledge, the link in my bio will take you straight through to your 7-day free trial (use the code BELLY20 for a discount if you want to stay signed up). That is all 🙏🏽 #womensfitness #fitnessapp #momlife #pregnancy #postpartum
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
5 short sessions. All on-demand. Expert advice from a pelvic physio and I’m at your disposal for any questions. And all for less than your Netflix subscription 👀 

We start on October 19th and registration closes on the 17th. 

I’ve really nailed it down to the key things that I see contributing to persistent ab separation. Things that are so simple, but only if you KNOW about them. 

I’m so excited about this 🙌🏽 Comment CORE and I’ll DM you all the info you need, but it’s also in my bio. 

#pelvicphysio #diastasisrecti #postpartum #womensfitness #momfit
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
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5 short sessions. All on-demand. Expert advice from a pelvic physio and I’m at your disposal for any questions. And all for less than your Netflix subscription 👀 We start on October 19th and registration closes on the 17th. I’ve really nailed it down to the key things that I see contributing to persistent ab separation. Things that are so simple, but only if you KNOW about them. I’m so excited about this 🙌🏽 Comment CORE and I’ll DM you all the info you need, but it’s also in my bio. #pelvicphysio #diastasisrecti #postpartum #womensfitness #momfit
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
I’ve got another review for you all! Someone in the comments pointed out how she mentions that some of those butt exercises also target the belly, and this is my interpretation of why that is.

Like I said at the end, I’m not sure it would work for everyone, especially if a belly is more superficial fat than posture, but this could be part of the answer for SOME people. 

#womensfitness #pelvicphysio #bellyfat #fitmom #abworkout
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
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I’ve got another review for you all! Someone in the comments pointed out how she mentions that some of those butt exercises also target the belly, and this is my interpretation of why that is. Like I said at the end, I’m not sure it would work for everyone, especially if a belly is more superficial fat than posture, but this could be part of the answer for SOME people. #womensfitness #pelvicphysio #bellyfat #fitmom #abworkout
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
Pelvic physio is just one of the hats I wear, and it’s a really rewarding one. I had a client a couple of weeks ago and we were using pelvic weights to help create more feedback for a pelvic floor contraction. I handed her this lubed-up condom-covered and (what looks like) a mini-rocket to insert into her vagina, and we just to laugh. 

Her comment was, “The things women go through”
And mine was, “For meaningful change”

Because it is meaningful. When you’re suddenly wetting the bed at night with no idea why. Or you’re consciously sticking to dark clothing because of leaks. Or you’re pregnant and been told by your doctor to stop lifting. 

When someone can tell you, “This is why and this is what we can do to fix it” or “Actually, your doctor is wrong and there’s plenty that you CAN do safely” - it is meaningful. 

So here’s to obliterating the stigma around bowel and bladder issues, and sharing that there is a solution 🍾 

#pelvicphysio #womenshealth #womensfitness #pelvicfloor #womenempowerment
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
Pelvic physio is just one of the hats I wear, and it’s a really rewarding one. I had a client a couple of weeks ago and we were using pelvic weights to help create more feedback for a pelvic floor contraction. I handed her this lubed-up condom-covered and (what looks like) a mini-rocket to insert into her vagina, and we just to laugh. Her comment was, “The things women go through” And mine was, “For meaningful change” Because it is meaningful. When you’re suddenly wetting the bed at night with no idea why. Or you’re consciously sticking to dark clothing because of leaks. Or you’re pregnant and been told by your doctor to stop lifting. When someone can tell you, “This is why and this is what we can do to fix it” or “Actually, your doctor is wrong and there’s plenty that you CAN do safely” - it is meaningful. So here’s to obliterating the stigma around bowel and bladder issues, and sharing that there is a solution 🍾 #pelvicphysio #womenshealth #womensfitness #pelvicfloor #womenempowerment
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
This is a question I got on one of my other posts, but what do you do when the junk in the trunk has ditched you, and left your backside looking a little…deflated?

Definitely not bridges, hip thrusts and band work - at least initially. These are great IF your pelvis is in a position for the various glute muscles to work efficiently, but if not, often you’re just pushing into more tightness.

I also like these exercises because the lengthening is active. It’s not just passively stretching the tissues. And active exercises create longer-lasting functional change. 

Once we can lengthen, then we start to build back in all of those butt-building glute exercises like box step-ups, hip thrusts and hip extensions in all-fours, standing etc.

#pelvicphysio #bbl #gluteworkout #bootyworkout #womensfitness
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
This is a question I got on one of my other posts, but what do you do when the junk in the trunk has ditched you, and left your backside looking a little…deflated? Definitely not bridges, hip thrusts and band work - at least initially. These are great IF your pelvis is in a position for the various glute muscles to work efficiently, but if not, often you’re just pushing into more tightness. I also like these exercises because the lengthening is active. It’s not just passively stretching the tissues. And active exercises create longer-lasting functional change. Once we can lengthen, then we start to build back in all of those butt-building glute exercises like box step-ups, hip thrusts and hip extensions in all-fours, standing etc. #pelvicphysio #bbl #gluteworkout #bootyworkout #womensfitness
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
I was actually super excited to get my moveable pelvis, because now I can actually demonstrate things like pelvic outlet and inlet rotation; which are super relevant to anything in and around the pelvis - continence, strength, butt shape, back pain etc. You may be seeing Felicia (is it weird to name a pelvis?) in some of my posts soon 😂

#pelvicphysio #womensfitness #fitmama #pelvicfloor #gluteworkout
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
I was actually super excited to get my moveable pelvis, because now I can actually demonstrate things like pelvic outlet and inlet rotation; which are super relevant to anything in and around the pelvis - continence, strength, butt shape, back pain etc. You may be seeing Felicia (is it weird to name a pelvis?) in some of my posts soon 😂 #pelvicphysio #womensfitness #fitmama #pelvicfloor #gluteworkout
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
As I use AI, I’m starting to see more of its limitations - at least when it comes to clinical work. It has been game changing for a LOT of things, but (although not directly the point of this post), I still don’t think it can replace human analysis of movement and the translation of that into person-specific rehab/exercise prescription. 

What are your thoughts? 🤔 

#ai #pelvicphysio #fitness #womensfitness #personaltraining
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
As I use AI, I’m starting to see more of its limitations - at least when it comes to clinical work. It has been game changing for a LOT of things, but (although not directly the point of this post), I still don’t think it can replace human analysis of movement and the translation of that into person-specific rehab/exercise prescription. What are your thoughts? 🤔 #ai #pelvicphysio #fitness #womensfitness #personaltraining
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
10/10
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