Need Help for the Pain of Muscle Separation

Yeah I had that with my second ds, had to stop doing any kind of ab exercises. I also had ciatica and started going to a chiropractor for that and for some reason the chiropractic also seemed to help with the muscle pain in my abs so maybe call a chiropractor and see if they might be able to help you.
Good Luck
K. H

Your abdomen splits into two separate sections during your pregnancy - I don't know how detailed your doctor was with you about it. You'll probably feel a little better after the split is complete.

I have a few suggestions:

- Get a prenatal workout video or two. That not only helped me with general aches and pains, but made a huge difference in how difficult my labor was. My two favorites were Kathy Smith's Pregnancy Workout and the Buns of Steel Pregnancy Workout. If you can't find them anywhere, I could give you my old copies (they're VHS, though)

- Try a "belly band" - it's a support band that goes accross your whole belly area. I found that pressure on my stomach was more uncomfortable than the muscle aches, but it sounds like you might be the other way around. I've seen them for sale at Once Upon a Child if you don't want to pay full retail.

- Try a warm compress or heating pad as you're relaxing before bed (not while you're sleeping). I would recommend a warm compress because that will feel good on the stretching skin too.

When you're baby is born, remember to go easy on those stomach muscles as they re-knit (don't do crunches and sit-ups right away!). The Kathy Smith video has some information about that and some post-natal exercises.

Two things came to my mind: a belly band (although 21 weeks seems early for diastasis recti unless you were having twins) and prioritizing a 'fetal love break' that includes relaxation for you. One of the benefits of HypnoBirthing is that little aches and pains seem to disappear sometimes, and sleep is more deep and restful. Of course, it can't help the frequent nightly pee trips, but the sleep you do get is often better. :-)
The importance of sitting down and relaxing throughout your day while pregnant cannot be overemphasized! I'm actually doing two presentations on this in July at the FDL Center Spirituality and Healing (see www.fcsh.org). The Relaxation Response is important to maximize fetal brain growth and optimize maternal health for a gentle birth experience. This includes putting your feet up! It's not pampering yourself. Think about it as taking care of the baby.
During these two presentations I'll be giving, I'll be showing 'What Babies Want' with Noah Wiley and 'Birth As We Know It' which not only shows comfortable birth without drugs, but an orgasmic birth. It's quite amazing.
K. Wildner, HypnoBirthing practitioner, researcher, writer, childbirth educator and mother
____@____.com

Hi S.,

Since this is your first pregnancy, you're probably experiencing all kinds of strange sensations, twinges, etc. Fun stuff! :) I'm not a doctor, but it seems early to be experiencing diastasis recti (ab separation) - I had it with my second child at around 7 or 8 months pregnant and my tummy was huge. The first sensation I had with that was like a zipper splitting open and it would happen if I bent down to help my young son with his shoes and activities where I was straining my stomach muscles. It wasn't excruciating pain but it was uncomfortable. I sought the help of a physical therapist right away to help with stregthening the muscles and it helped tremendously. Your doctor will be able to feel the separation in the muscles at your next appointment. There's nothing you can do but to rest and try not to put too much strain on yourself. If you do have it, see a PT since they'll be able to help prevent it from getting worse.

If it's not separation, it could just be your body telling you to slow down a bit and take it easy. Being a teacher, you're obviously very busy so you should really try and take some time throughout the day to sip water, have a snack, and relax. Gee, I sound like my Mom! :)

Good luck with your pregancy and enjoy every minute of it as it's truly a miracle. Take care!

S.

I am teacher too and had muscle pain during pregnancy. My doula gave me a band with heavy elastic in it to help support my belly. Also, she said I could buy those instant heat packs made to put on your back and wear it where my muscle pain is. As with everything, check with your doc. first for safety. I'm sure you can get a support band at a pregnancy shop, or from a doc or midwife. Best of luck!
:)

I used a belly band and relaxed when I could. I also didn't take any medications (except vitamins) while pregnant so Tylenol was out of the question for me. After a week or so it improved and the pain was gone shortly after.