Healing hurdles

Everyone’s journey is different, depending on genetics and experience. If your divide isn’t budging after 12 weeks, these factors could be at play

HORMONES

Excess progesterone and relaxin from pregnancy encourage muscle laxity that is necessary for delivery but makes it harder to tighten up the abs quickly. Give it time.

IGNORING YOUR CORE OFF THE MAT

Consciously engaging your tummy muscles in everyday movements – eg, when standing or when reclining in a seat – helps them to mend.

DOING CRUNCHES OR SIT-UPS

These forward-flexion movements can actually worsen abdominal separation by adding pressure to the connective tissue. Just avoid.