Your C-section Overhang

After your C-section you may notice an overhang around your tummy. What is this? Is it fat? Inflammation? Most importantly, what can you do about it?

In the image above you can see how the area above and below the scar are protruding. Let’s explore what this can be and more importantly what you can do about it

Is it Diastasis Recti?

During your C-section, your tummy muscles aren’t cut, instead they are spread apart to access your uterus. The muscles should then come back together. If they stay separated, the organs behind can put pressure on the abdomen leading to the bulging. If the scar itself is tight then you’ll find the area above and below are lacking support and the scar is tethered leading to the overhang appearance.

You can check yourself for diastasis, simply follow these steps. It’s important to check when assessing your tummy muscles both the distance between the muscles and the state of the connective tissue which joins the muscles.

Shallow gully = relatively strong connective tissue

Deeper gully = weaker connective tissue

The stronger the connective tissue, the quicker your diastasis will close and it’s a good way to help measure your progress

Is it a C-section Overhang?

Overhang - Fascial adhesions

This is when the layers of tissue beneath the scar have all stuck together. I always think of the tissue being like threads of wool laid out in a row. When they get cut they become disrupted and they become a big tangled mess. This makes them lumpy and bulging which leads to the outpouching tummy

Overhang - Scar tethering

This can also be down to tension in the scar itself. With the scar tissue leading to the puckering of the scar it gives the impression that the areas above and below are protruding.

What can be done?

• Work out why you have the overhang - is it really a overhang? Diastasis? Extra weight?

• Understand where the tension’s coming from. Is it the scar that’s tight or is it disruption to the other fascial tissues which have become dishevelled?

• If it’s a diastasis you need to start addressing this - our C-section MOT can help you with this and get you started on a postnatal rehab programme

• If it’s fascial adhesions, use techniques around the scar

• If it’s scar tethering, use techniques that work into the scar

• Compression can be useful in all these cases. Bellybands can help support the abdominal muscles and provide compression to the tissues while you rehab them.

Yur C-section Recovery Kit contains the products and techniques that are right for YOUR scar. WhatsApp us on 07970 807625 and we can put your program together for you.

See you soon,

Felicity x