New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
Courses for doulas and online childbirth education

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Abdominal Seperation-How to help with diastasis recti post partum

Right now I'm sitting here sucking in my abs:)  I'm trying to figure out a good exercise to help the seperation of my abdominal muscles that's come after having my five kids.  While I've found some great exercises to help my back, my ab muscles are still needing some help.

Excercising, for me, has never been about how well I look, but how about how well I feel.  Diastasis Recti(the separation of the stomach muscles), can have a few health problems because it decreases the ability of your abdominal muscles to hold your other organs in.  This can lead to back problems(that's me), pelvic instability, and hernias.  Now, my new exercise endeavor is to strengthen my upper back(which I'm still having some problems with), and increase the strength of my transverse abdominal muscles(the one that helps stabilize and bring together my other ab muscles).  That means no more crunches lifting the head off the floor and more exercises that strengthen my "girdle".  Here's some great videos I found and links that talk more about diastasis recti and how to help bring those muscles back together.  Another easy exercise to do while sitting...just suck in those abs.  You'll feel it, trust me.








http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_separation.html
http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_reconditioning.html

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.