By Michelle Peshick, MPT, CLT, PRPC, CAPP-P
Physical Therapist, Pelvic Rehab Specialist, Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Virtua Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation 

You gain weight over 9+ months of pregnancy, so it’s normal to take 9+ months to get back your pre-pregnancy body after your baby is born. However, a belly bulge that doesn’t go away for months after delivery can be a sign of diastasis recti—a separation of your abdominal muscles. 

The normal separation between your abdominal muscles is about 0.5 – 1 centimeter or about one finger width. Diastasis recti causes your belly to bulge because the gap between your left and right abdominal muscles widens to the width of two fingers or more. 

What causes diastasis recti?

Your abdominal muscles usually meet in the middle of your abdomen. When you’re pregnant, hormonal changes allow the connective tissue to thin and stretch so your belly can expand. As a result, your growing uterus causes your abdominal muscles to separate and move aside. In the case of diastasis recti, your abdominal muscles are so stretched that they don’t fully come back together after pregnancy. 

Although diastasis recti is common after pregnancy and affects about two-thirds of pregnant women, it also occurs in newborn babies and men. Men can develop diastasis recti from straining during exercises such as sit-ups or weightlifting, or other activities that cause abdominal strain. 

Who’s at risk for diastasis recti?

You might be at a higher risk for developing diastasis recti if: 

• You have more than one child
• Your children are close in age
• You’re older than age 35 when you’re pregnant
• You’re pregnant with multiples (twins, triplets)
• You have a heavy baby
• You have a small body frame
• You had diastasis recti during a previous pregnancy 

What are the symptoms of diastasis recti?

A belly bulge that doesn’t go away eight weeks after delivering your baby is the most noticeable symptom of diastasis recti. You may see a bulge pop outward or a hollow space along the midline of your abdomen. This bulge can occur with even minimal activation of your belly muscles. 

Diastasis recti can lead to pelvic organ prolapse (when your pelvic organs drop out of their proper place) because the abdominal muscles can’t support your spine, bowels, bladder, and other internal organs. The condition also can lead to other problems, including: 

• Constipation
• Low back pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Abdominal soreness 

Severe cases of diastasis recti can lead to a hernia—which occurs when your internal organs or tissues poke out of a hole that develops in your abdominal wall—that requires surgical treatment.

Can I prevent diastasis recti?

Your risk for developing diastasis recti depends on several risk factors that you can’t control. However, you might be able to lower your risk by avoiding excess strain on your abdominal muscles during pregnancy. 

• Avoid doing crunches and other intense abdominal exercises after your first trimester.
• Use proper body mechanics when lifting older children, sitting up in bed, and exercising.
• Maintain abdominal strength during pregnancy with gentle abdominal exercises like pelvic tilts and Kegel exercises. 

After pregnancy, give your belly time to heal and avoid doing any abdominal exercises—especially crunches—until you get approval from your OB/GYN provider. You also should discuss what exercises are safe for you. 

How is diastasis recti treated?

The first step in treating diastasis recti is figuring out the extent of your abdominal separation. To measure the separation, your OB/GYN provider will see if two fingers fit in the space between your abdominal muscles. Treatment often includes physical therapy that focuses on exercises, core stability, and proper bracing. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. 

Your physical therapy treatment plan may include: 

• Gentle abdominal exercises
• Wearing an abdominal binder or a support belt that is worn around your belly
• Manual physical therapy techniques to loosen tight or tender abdominal muscles
• Taping for abdominal support and to cue core strengthening
• Learning to monitor abdominals during exercise and activities to prevent worsening the gap in the muscle 

Because every woman’s body responds differently to physical therapy and each case of diastasis recti is different, the length of physical therapy treatment is different for everyone. Physical therapy can be especially beneficial for women with more minor abdominal separations and want to treat diastasis recti before becoming pregnant again. 

If you have a more severe case of diastasis recti that doesn’t respond to physical therapy, you may need surgical treatment. Talk with your OB/GYN about your treatment options. 

Connect with Virtua Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

To schedule a consultation with Virtua Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation, call 855-847-8821.