by Joyce Slaton posted in Products

Almost every brand-new mom still looks pregnant after giving birth -- but if your belly is still pooching out months after giving birth, you, like up to 40 percent of all new moms, may have a diastasis recti.
A diastasis recti is caused when the connective tissue gets stretched out between the pair of long, flat muscles that runs vertically down both sides of your abdomen (the rectus abdominis), causing them to separate. The result is a ridge that looks like a loaf of mushy bread protruding from your belly, a ridge that stands out even more when you cough or sit up.
Traditional abdominal exercises like crunches can make a diastatis recti worse, but a physical therapist can guide you on exercises that can improve the condition. Meanwhile, Fort Worth, Texas ob-gyn Cynthia Robbins, M.D., reminds women that their insurance will generally pay for some type of binder that gives women relief while they're recovering.

Belly Bandit's Original is arguably the most popular belly wrap on the market"I recommend wraps for all women, postpartum," says Dr. Robbins, "particularly if they have diastasis recti. When you have loose muscles separated in the middle, the binding holds them in so they can't balloon out, and you have a better opportunity to strengthen and being them back together."
If your doctor thinks a binder or wrap will help you, they can prescribe it just like a medication.
"I have written many prescriptions for du...