You’ve probably landed on this page because you have a condition that few people know about and you just want help and understanding. Well, I definitely understand, and hopefully, I can help too!
My name is Amy and I have had a diastasis of the recti muscles since the birth of my 4th child back in 2006.
The ever-present diastasis recti "pooch."
There are some great diastasis resources out there, but few address what it is really like to be the woman behind the diastasis.
The honest truth is:
It hurts.
Not just physically, but emotionally.
Knowing you always look pregnant. Knowing the size of clothes you have to buy are not your real size. Knowing your muscles aren’t holding anything in anymore. Being pregnant and worrying that the diastasis will cause you issues that could lead to anything from horrible back aches to unwanted c-sections.
I understand. I’ve been there. I am there.
And I’m on a quest.
A quest to find the best programs, products, and advice for moms who are more than just a collection of flimsy muscles, but rather hurting, yet hopeful women looking for a shoulder to cry on and answers to a little-understood problem.
Posts I’ve written on Diastasis Recti:
I’m Pregnant & Huge!
Pregnancy Support Garments
The Perfect Brace Outside of Pregnancy
Programs I recommend for helping to heal a diastasis recti:
The Tupler Technique
In May 2011, I was given the opportunity to work with Julie Tupler herself!
Links to all the posts I wrote during that time are listed below:
Introduction to The Tummy Chronicles
Week One (the results are astounding!)
Week Two (MORE amazing results!)
The Tummy Chronicles – Week 5 & a Support Group!
The Tummy Chronicles – Tidbits of Wisdom
The Tummy Chronicles – So, I fell off the wagon…
Diastasis Recti Support Forum
{forgive me if I do not respond right away on this forum}
Wow! I can’t believe I found this! Just followed a link over to your blog and then discovered these posts on Diastasis Recti. I just “accidentally” discovered Julie Tupler’s website yesterday! I think I may have stumbled onto something life-changing! I’m pretty sure I have this . . . but I can’t seem to be able to find my muscles. I’m sure they are separated though! I think I recall a midwife mentioning that to me many babies ago . . . not sure which one now!
i have had ten BIG babies (largest was 9 lbs. 12 oz) plus miscarriages. I’ve done sit ups/crunches to no avail and carried car seats with baby in it plus carried HEAVY babies on my hip while big pregnant. I’ve probably done everything I shouldn’t have! 
I’ve also had a hysterectomy for severe uterine prolapse and had extensive anterior and posterior repairs. 
I am excited to learn about this condition and a possible cure! Now praying for God to provide the funds so I can order the book/DVD and splint!!!!!!! thanks for being vulnerable and posting about this!
Elizabeth…Hello! It could be your muscles are so far split (like mine were) that it is difficult to find them. Good luck!
Is having a sore lower back for a few days normal? I started on Monday and my lower back is sore! I am only doing the exercises once a day. I just want to make sure I am doing them right. I would ask on the forum but it isn’t showing up right for me and the right side is cut off, so I can’t push a sent button!
Yes, normal. I’ll check into the forum.
I delivered twin boys Oct 2009, and I just couldnt understnd 3 months after delivery,why my belly was still so high, as if am 6 months prego. On consulting with a Hernia specialist I was told (after he viewed a CD of a cat scan my doctor had done on my abdomen after delivery) he told me i had diass recti, I was like WHATTT! WHATS THAT!! it was only then he explain in regular terms, ‘Abdominal Separation…his solution only a Tummy tuck can tighten back my muscles together, the thought of a tummy tuck, a nother surgery freak me out, not to mentioned the non-insurance covered cost! So now my handsome boys are 27 months old and whenever i go to the mall ppl (mainly women) still asks me if am prego because I have a pouch!! My hubby loves my belly, but honestly I don’t!! I’ve had x 3 pregos all c-sections, and i dont want to go back under the knife again if i dont have to, especially after the twins i bleed prefusely and had to do x 2 blood transfusions. I need some help i tried yoga, and zumba but nothing seems to shrink the bulge
I ran into a woman who recounted for me the tummy tuck procedure she had to repair hers. It sounded awful! You can heal this or at least make it much better! Keep reading!
I just read abt the Julie Tupler, OMG I didnt know that there were so many other mommies ot there in the same boat as I am. I order the ‘Woman Package one from Tupler, hopeing it’ll help me out, as I have a cruise to go on for my 5th anniversay
Hi Amy,
I got my Diastasis Rehab package (Splint, guidebook and LYMT DVD) on Tuesday,
I was so excited I watched the DVD the same day. I am a bit overwhelmed by the task 10 sets each day! OMG…but am committed to seeing it through. I did my first 10 sets today Wednesday 2/8/12 and my back and arms hurts, should this be happening so soon?
Looking fwd to doing another 10 set tomorrow….a quick question, my Splint tends to cringle up (looks crushed up) did yours do this?
May I make a suggestion? This is a subject near and dear to me!!!!!!! It is a (free) exercise that works amazing and that you can add to your Tupler routine. It’s call Organs in Place & Half Frogs. You can find it here: http://www.t-tapp.com/articles/flatstomach/index.html
Blessings!!
Kayla (mom of 3)
Thanks, Kayla! Very familiar w/ TTapp here!
Neato!!! Just stumbled upon you.
I’ve known I’ve had this for years. After baby #2, it became worse, but my sister in law, who is a doctor, said it wasn’t bad and that it was normal. So I tried to ignore it, even when I was pushing my organs back in after sneezing. We have had no health insurance for almost 9 years, so I couldn’t even have the surgery if I wanted to. Baby #3 is 16 months old and I finally decided that I needed to do something. Last week, I bought a copy of the book and it arrived yesterday. I don’t have the splint and can’t buy one now, but I will try to make one. I am afraid to start the exercises, because I am afraid I won’t do them everyday. Your site will help me stay motivated. Thanks.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Amy! I’ve been so concerned about my bulging belly and wondering why on earth it looks like a 5-month pregnancy years after my second baby exited. This explains so much, and I’ll be trying the techniques and letting you know how I got on.
Thanks again!
Great!
Never been diagnosed with this but have all of the symptoms you describe. After 7 babies I suppose it’s possible. I don’t have a GP and only go to my midwife when I’m pregnant. How can I tell if I have this condition. I suppose buying the book and doing the exercises can’t hurt. I just feel I’d be more dedicated to following through if there was a medical reason and not that I’m 20 lbs overweight and have had my stomach stretched out 7 times.
Thank you again for encouraging me to help myself, this is the beginning of week 3 with the How to lose your Mummy Tummy
and I have lost 2 fingers in width and two inches around my middle, I am so excited!! I was told by a few different dr’s I was broken and couldn’t be healed but I knew they were wrong, thank you for pointing me in the right direction!!! I’m a cloud nine today 
Yay!!!!
I am so happy I have found this page. After my pregnancies I struggled with this a small amount, but things went back to normal after about a year. After my son died, and then I had 5 miscarraiges and then my youngest son was born after a placenta abruption … well … I had my tubes tied. Almost immediately I knew I had made a mistake. So, we began saving up to have it reversed. In November of 2011 I had my tubal ligation reversal. I was so excited! But, I noticed right there as the doctor was showing me my incision and how to care for it that something was wrong. I thought it was just swelling and wuold go down … but it has been months and has not gone down at all. I had lost about 40lbs prior to the surgery, and have been very discouraged and not keeping up on that and so have gained some back. Not to mention, when most of your friends know you had your tubes “untied” and then you look pregnant the next time you see them it makes for very awkward conversation when you aren’t yet …
I’m going to buy the book today, and read through all your posts.
Thanks!!