Charlotte Conlon is a Women’s Health Physiotherapist from Flow Physio Co Sutherland. Today she talks to us about abdominal separation (diastasis recti) during and after pregnancy.
What is a Diastasis Recti?
An abdominal separation that occurs when either side of the rectus abdominis muscles (the 6-pack muscles) separate from the linea alba.
What is the linea alba?
The linea alba is a connective tissue which runs vertically down the centre of the abdominals.
What happens during pregnanacy?
In pregnancy, this stretch of the linea alba can be caused by a number of factors including; hormonal changes, weight gain, weakness of the abdominal muscles, stretching of the abdominal wall or heavy lifting.
Is it normal?
It is considered a normal part of pregnancy and should decrease in the weeks after birth as the uterus shrinks.
When is considered abnormal?
It is considered abnormal to have greater than 2cm separation at 6-weeks post partum.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
We recommend having a 6 week check up with a Women's Health Physiotherapist who will assess your abdominal separation and the integrity of your pelvic floor. It will also involve assessing the position of your pelvic organs to make sure there is no prolapse.
Following this, your Women’s Health Physio will be able to safely prescribe a postnatal exercise program for you to begin (see here: Returning to Exercise Safely after Pregnancy).