This was Week 3. The results weren’t quite as astounding as the previous couple of weeks, but I am beginning to “see” internal healing.
When I checked my diastasis this week, I am fairly certain it is not the huge 10+ finger width it was at the beginning. However, it is so hard to tell when the gap is THAT large. That said, I continue to feel the connective tissue heal and become less deep!
Next week is the BIG WEEK…the one everyone says might knock me flat on my face! Pray for me!
Today, I thought I’d take a moment to answer some reader questions that have come up along the way. I try to answer whatever questions come up as they come up, but I thought it might be of benefit to others to see the answers as well. So, here’s a little Q&A session!
Q. I only have a small diastasis. Should I even bother?
A. A resounding YES! This isn’t something that gets better all by itself and there is a good chance if you don’t close it now, it WILL get bigger. What I wouldn’t give to have known I could have prevented this! You are at the perfect place to solve the problem before it really is a problem!
Q. Is the splint safe to wear during pregnancy?
A. According to Julie, YES. However, if it is uncomfortable, do not wear the splint, but DO keep up with your exercises.
Q. Is this splint the same as a compression garment?
A. NO. When you put on the splint/s, you move the recti muscles into position before strapping the splint into place. Compression garments only CONCEAL, they do not HEAL and your muscles remain in the wrong place. The brace I used to recommend did a better job than compression garments, but I realize now it isn’t as good at approximating the muscles as wearing the Tupler splints, so I only use it when I’m washing the Tupler splints.
Q. Do I need the book, the splint, AND the DVD?
A. NO. I recommend the DVD, the splint/s and the guidebook, but if you think you can handle writing it down on your own (something I don’t seem to be very good at doing), then you can forgo getting the guidebook. The Mummy Tummy book is older and Julie said it is needing an update. I also found the DVD to be easier for me to really get a grasp of how to do the exercises.
Q. How do you pronounce this condition?
A. This is one I got an education on! It is di AS tasis.
Q. How do I measure?
A. Julie has an explanation on her site (HERE), but I’ve heard many of you say you still don’t quite get it. When I first measured, I was lifting my head and feeling the muscles move together and THEN measuring…well, THAT is wrong. That makes my diastasis seem smaller. Lift your head ONLY to find out WHERE those muscles are (they will feel like ropes on either side of your belly), then lower your head and measure with your fingers side by side to see how many finger-widths the two “ropes” are apart BEFORE they ever begin to come together. I had to say 10+ because I could put all 8 of my fingers (thumbs don’t factor in here) spread out and moving from side to side in the gap between the muscles! ACK!
Q. How long do the exercises take?
A. The first 3 weeks haven’t been much time at all. It takes about 2½ minutes per Contraction exercise. So, we are talking 5-10 minutes 3x a day (and you can do them in the car!) I’ll let you know how long Week 4+ is taking…
Q. Is it safe to do this with an umbilical hernia?
A. YES. The hernia is often a result of diastasis recti.
Q. The splint is folding over. What’s wrong?
A. You either need a second one or you need to wash it to let it regain it’s shape. At least those are the answers I’ve found to be the case. If you think you might need a second one, call or email Julie and get her opinion.
Q. I had my “baby” many years ago. Can I still heal?
A. YES! My muscles split back in 2006. Since then, I’ve had 3 more children and I am seeing healing! You can do this!
I will not be checking in next week (I know, I know…after I told you about that scary Week 4!), but I will be back in 2 weeks to let you know how I’m doing! Keep me posted on your progress as well!
Wendy Gunn says
Amy,
I’m praying for complete healing, and that what they say about the “infamous Week 4” will not be true for you! Happy for you and praising God that you’re feeling healing.
Blessings,
Wendy
jillian says
wow! 1″ is a great improvement! That makes 5″ altogether, right? so I think I missed something. What’s so terrible about weeek 4? Now I’m scared. :0 Last night was a better night for me, but my back does feel sore. wierd right? Well, thanks for encouraging me to keep at it. You really are inspiring me and so many others. we’ll be praying for you!
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall faint, if we faint not” Gal.6:9
jillian says
lol!! I meant to write, “we shall REAP, if we faint not”!! oh yes, we shall all REAP the benifits of a smaller belly. : ) : )
Tammy says
If I only have a slight gap (I think about 1 finger) will it help to do the exercises without wearing the splint?
Amy says
I do not know the answer to that. I’ll ask Julie for you. I would imagine at the very least, you would need to use something to pull those muscles together when you do exercises (like a scarf or something).
Stacey says
I don’t have the “final” answer on this, but I once had a personal trainer show me how to do these exercises, and she only used he hands to push on her sides, if you can picture that, to push the muscles into place while doing the exercises. It worked for her. She also had a huge gap, because she had thought that crunches would fix it (instead they make the gap wider). It was at least 5 I think, maybe bigger, and she fixed it in about a month I think.
Kim says
Wow, it’s looking great!! You’re doing such a good job. 🙂
Mama Chocolate says
Wonderful!
My splint, DVD, and guidebook just came in the mail yesterday, so I’m getting started TODAY!
Grateful for Grace says
Ok, I’m going to do this. I have hesitated because I bought the DVD years ago and couldn’t understand it. I also have the old splint. I’m not sure I’m measring my diastasis correctly. If so, it’s a four finger one. I have a call into Julie to ask some questions.
I will order a splint and guidebook today! Sigh. To see results would be wonderful.
Thank you for encouraging this.
Amy says
You might tell Julie some of the problems you were having with the DVD and see if she can help. Let me know if I can help too. 🙂
Grateful for Grace says
Just spoke to Julie. I didn’t realize that she has redone the video since I bought it. So… as difficult as it is to spend so much money on items that I have already purchased in one form, I will do it. She says she can’t give me a discount for the products I bought but have been improved. We see that differently as business people, but that is her perogative. I really would love to see a change, so I will use some of my school money to buy the new package. I’m praying I don’t regret it again. Your story has me encouraged that I won’t. 😉
Amy says
I’m sorry. 🙁 But, I will be praying that you see results that make it worth it! It’s definitely cheaper than surgery!
Valerie says
Good for you, Amy! I’m just on day 5 of week 1. My back is a little sore too – I remember she says in the DVD that when a muscle is weak, it asks another muscle to help. The abs ask the back as they are getting stronger.
My splint is a little snug for now, so I’m getting my mom to sew another velcro strip on each side. I kept the Donjoy brace and have been sleeping in it.
Can’t wait to hear your update in a couple of weeks! Have a good weekend!
jillian says
Hey Valerie,
You just jogged my memory. I remember now that Julie mentions that you’ll feel it in your back. : ) also, I looked ahead at week 4 and can now see why it is dreaded. yesterday was the first day of the exercises for me and I never even bothered to look at what the following weeks entailed. this is gonna be harder than I thought. : 0 BTW, great idea about sewing another velcro piece to it.
Blessings!
Katie Statham says
I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and just today realized I have DR. I thought my tummy was the result of having 4- 10 pound babies and c-sections. I exercise and wear a 4/6, but still look pregnant. Today I measured and I can fit 4 fingers. My baby is about to turn 1 and I ordered my package today. The thought of not looking 3 months pregnant is so exciting I could cry. Thank you so much, without you I would have never known!
Amy says
You are so welcome, Katie! 🙂
Lois - Tenderherb says
Thanks so much for this info. I stumbled upon your site a while back and read your post on DR. My midwife told me my stomach muscles split after my first pregnancy, but didn’t say it would get worse. She would just check it every so often. You are the first to finally give hope for healing. It explains so many things. (I have chronic lyme and struggle with constipation. But it probably stems in part from the DR.) And I am guessing it will help my hip problems as well. I ordered my kit, received it last week, so am just beginning my first week. I actually like wearing the splint, it feels like it is holding me together. Even though I only have 3-4 finger split, it is enough I can tell the difference already. Thanks again so much for sharing your journey!! It has inspired me!!
Amy says
Wonderful! I’ve gotten where I like wearing it too…initially, though, not so much! 😉
Lois - Tenderherb says
Yeah, know what you mean. I dread the hot days coming…
Heather LaCroix says
I just read this as I’m behind in my blog reading. I feel a little dense. This is the 4th post of yours on DR that I’ve read and I just realized that not only do I have that as well, but that’s why I look pregnant after I eat! I feel rather slim in the morning but can’t stand the way I look after eating a meal. I literally have to let my belt out. I read her site information on how to measure and I seem to have a 2-3 finger spread and rather weak connective tissue. Thank you for putting this information out there!
Amy says
I never thought about that! You are so welcome!
Coach Sara says
How is it going with your Tupler Technique?
Amy says
Sara,
I’ve not had any more progress because getting all the reps in has been difficult to do. I’m still sticking with it, but it is an uphill battle. Thanks for checking in with me. I still fully believe in the program, just struggle with my own willpower. 😉
connie says
hi – the brace you recommend from painreliever.com – can you tell me if it is easy to put on yourself? or do you need help? I am asking because I had hernia surgery and diastasis muscle repair and a tummy tuck. BUT a little bit of the diastasis came back, and I need a good garment. My abdominal binder they gave me after surgery is too hard for me to put on by myself, and I don’t always have someone to help me put it on. It is basically a stretchy white thing with velcro on one end. I hold one end and my husband holds the other and we get it on me, together and velcro it. BUT I want one that I can just do by myself. Can you explain HOW it goes on? is it something that you can velcro one side at a time and have it on tight? or how do you get it on nice and snug?? I need to know before I buy it. Thanks!
Amy says
Connie, I do think it might show through with something fitted. I don’t wear much of anything that is that fitted, but I could see how you would be able to see some of it. That said, this is a brace you can put on by yourself. You have a long piece of velcro that attached the main part of the binder and then you pull the other two straps one over the other to get even more pull. I have no trouble at all doing it on my own.
connie says
Amy – thanks so much for your reply! also I am glad you are doing better and I really see improvement! I had checked your site a good while back when I had first researched disastasis recti, and I even emailed you a few times in the past. Since the, I have had surgery to repair a large ventral hernia which was bulging thru my large diastasis opening, and had repair of the muscles too. But now, 5 1/2 months later, I have a little bulge (nowhere near like before) and some swelling. They think the tightening of the muscles may have loosened up a little or something, so I want to wear something to help hold it back in. They want me to wait six months (since my surgery was only in may) and also to lose more weight and then see where it stands. ANyway.. that is my issue… Thanks again, and I like your site! take care
connie says
And ONE MORE THING! Can you tell me, when you FIRST put this brace thing on… Is there velcro on both sides of it? Like HOW do you stretch it to make it fit tight enough around you and evenly? I know the second velcro piece tightens it, but what about the first big part you put around you? The one I have now is like this — http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=dale+abdominal+binder&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=18407954881270506504 and it just has velcro on one side, and I am not strong enough to pull both pieces to get it to fit right. I don’t want to spend almost $50 if this won’t be that much different. Please let me know and thank you for taking the time to read this!! I appreciate it!
Amy says
It’s a strip a velcro on each side and it is pretty stiff. I push my muscles over as Julie teaches in the Tupler technique and then push the other side over as I velcro it. Seems to work fine for me, but I wouldn’t want to presume it would be great for you. I’m pretty sure they have a money back guarantee that you could definitely take advantage of if you get it and realize it won’t work for you. 🙂
connie says
…and…. does it show (thru your clothes? ) like can you tell that you’re wearing it thru a shirt that is kind of fitted?
Melissa says
Hi Amy! I had twins 6 months ago and have a huge DR. I purchased the Tupler Technique program and did great of course for the first 3 weeks and then found that there was NO WAY i could find time to do all the contractions and headlifts that are required in the 4th week, while trying to take care of my twins and 2 year old. That was super frustrating to realize. Also, i have 2 splints and have found that the velcro doesn’t work anymore and they constantly ride up and fold over, so they are pretty much worthless. So discouraging!! Any thoughts? What splint are you currently recommending? thanks!
Amy says
Melissa,
I’d suggest you read this post: https://raisingarrows.net/2012/01/the-tummy-chronicles-so-i-fell-off-the-wagon/ – should answer a lot of your questions! 🙂
Kelly says
HI!
I had my 3rd baby 19 months ago. After losing the baby weight, I still had a pooch! Not cool. I did some research and found Julie’s program. I had a few false starts and recently discovered the guidebook which has helped immensely. My diastasis is not large (3 fingers) and even my husband makes jokes bc he doesnt think I need to be doing all this. But, like others, I dont like the pooch. I am currently trying to find out what kinds of strength training I can do etc. Its nice that Im not the only one trying to figure all this out!
tHANKS! Kelly