What Is Diastasis Recti?
Diastasis recti occurs when the top layer of your abdominal muscles stretches apart during pregnancy. When this happens, your belly can stick out or bulge, usually on and around the belly button. More than 60% of women experience this condition during pregnancy.
The affected muscles often come back together after delivery. It can take up to a year. However, some women need pelvic floor physical therapy and at-home exercises to fix the problem.
At Â鶹ѧÉú¾«Æ·°æ, our pelvic floor physical therapists have advanced training in caring for women with diastasis recti and other postpartum pelvic floor concerns. These experienced physical therapists will create a customized treatment plans and work closely with your gynecologist, urologist, urogynecologist, or other providers to help you achieve the best outcome possible.
Diastasis Recti Symptoms
You may have diastasis recti if your belly domes or cones in a tent-like shape when you exercise, lean back on a chair, or get out of bed. At your six-week appointment after your baby is born, your provider will likely examine you for signs of diastasis recti.
Does Diastasis Recti Hurt?
This condition is not painful. But it can lead to pain in your back, pelvic area, or hip if left untreated.
How Do I Know If I Have Diastasis Recti?
You can test yourself for diastasis recti:
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Lie on your back.
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Bend your knees and position your feet flat on the floor.
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Move your other hand to the space above your belly button.
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Lift your shoulders off the ground as if you’re doing a crunch.
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Feel for a gap between your abdominal muscles with your fingers pointing down towards the stomach. You may have diastasis recti if the gap is more than two or three fingers wide.
How to Tell If You Have Diastasis Recti While Pregnant
Most women don’t notice signs of diastasis recti until after their baby is born. You may see or feel a bulge above your belly button or along the midline of your abdomen. You may notice your stomach bulges more during exercise or when you get out of bed or a car.
Diastasis Recti Causes
Diastasis recti happens when the top layer of abdominal muscles stretches apart to make room for a growing baby. These are the rectus abdominal muscles that run vertically along the front of your stomach. These muscles can be referred to as the six-or eight-pack muscles.
A band of tissue called the linea alba runs down the middle. As your uterus expands during pregnancy, these muscles stretch, and the tissue between them pulls apart. After your baby is born, your linea alba heals and comes back together.
If your linea alba doesn’t heal, you may have a bulge just above or below your belly button. Without treatment, you may look pregnant for months or years after giving birth.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase your risk of developing this condition:
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You have several pregnancies close together.
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You are over the age of 35.
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You gave birth to multiple babies at once, such as twins.
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You’ve given birth to heavy or large babies.
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You have a petite body size.
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You have had vaginal deliveries.
What Doctor to See for Diastasis Recti
Talk with your obstetrics provider if you notice this condition during or after your pregnancy. They will refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist if you have the condition. If you are still pregnant, your pelvic floor physical therapist will show you how to avoid worsening your symptoms. You should avoid movements that cause your abdominal wall to bulge, cone, or dome in a tent-like shape. These movements include crunches, sit-ups, planks, and some yoga poses.
Find a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Diastasis Recti Treatment: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
You will need pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen your other abdominal muscles — the transverse abdominal muscles. Transverse abdominal muscles act like a corset. They pull the rectus abdominus muscles together. Your stomach bulge disappears as the gap between those muscles shrinks.
A pelvic floor physical therapist will teach you how to engage your transverse abdominal muscles when you move. Most of the exercises involve deep breathing and slow, controlled movements. Traditional abdominal exercises like crunches and sit-ups can worsen your condition if not done properly.
Your pelvic floor physical therapist will provide you with additional at-home exercises and follow-up appointments if needed.
Physical therapy and at-home exercises can fix diastasis recti, even if you have had the condition for years. Women rarely need surgery for diastasis recti.
How Long Does Diastasis Recti Take to Heal?
The wider the gap between your abdominal muscles, the longer it takes to heal. Most women need to continue pelvic floor physical therapy exercises for 4–6 months. And in some cases, it can take up to a year or longer. You can stop your exercises once the gap between your muscles closes.
How to Prevent Diastasis Recti
You cannot prevent diastasis recti. But it may be milder if you have strong core muscles when you become pregnant.
How to Make an Appointment
It’s never too late to repair your diastasis recti with physical therapy exercises.
If you have or think you may have this condition, call 801-213-2995 to make an appointment with an obstetrics provider. You do not need a referral from a provider to schedule an appointment for pelvic floor physical therapy.
Most insurance carriers cover pelvic floor physical therapy for diastasis recti. Please check with your insurance provider before scheduling an appointment.
