Post Baby Belly
There it is! Round, uneven, puffy and unflattering, you may be surprised with how your belly looks after having a baby. Good bye confidence and bikinis, Hello one piece swimsuits and suck ‘em’ in underwear!
Not for long! Just because you have had a baby doesn't mean you will never have toned abs again. With EMS technology your tummy will look better than ever! Slendertone may also assist in the recovery from abdominal separation (Diastasis Recti) and back pain due to weak abdominals.
Abdominal Separation (also know as Diastasis Recti)-
This condition is caused when the baby grows (usually towards the end of the pregnancy) and your Rectus Abdominals (six pack muscles) have to separate in order to give it space and let your tummy expand. The line of connective tissue between your two rectus abdominals stretches and weakens as your belly grows and can leave anything from a couple of fingers up to four or five fingers separation between your muscles.
If you have had a caesarean birth, your abdominal separation may be accentuated due to the surgeons having to pull your rectus abdominals to the side so they are able to access your baby.
Having abdominal separation also reduces the integrity and functional strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain and pelvic instability. As a new mum, you will be lifting, pushing and pulling frequently; therefore it is important to protect your back against pain and injury.
The abdominal muscles act to support your back and abdominal organs. By strengthening these core muscles, you will reduce the risk of lower back pain and help regain your figure.
What to avoid-
· Most traditional abdominal exercises that work the exterior abdominal muscles, such as crunches and oblique curls. NO SIT-UPS.
· Movements where the upper body twists and the arm on that side reaches backward, such as during a tennis serve
· Exercises that require lying backward over a large exercise ball.
· Lifting and carrying very heavy objects.
· Try to avoid the 'tired body slouch' - 'walk tall' and 'sit tall'.
How to reduce your abdominal separation and strengthen your abdominals-
· Consult a physiotherapist for correct pilate style exercises.
· Use a EMS device like Slendertone Flex or System-Abs to improve the strength and integrity to the abdominal muscles.
