Split Tummy Muscles after Pregnancy – Treatments for Diastasis Recti

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Solutions for Fixing Separated Tummy Muscles After Having a Baby

Diastasis recti is a technical term for when the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. You have a pair of muscles running down your belly, and they’re usually held together by a stretchy tissue strip called the linea alba. When you’re pregnant, your uterus gets a lot bigger, pushing these muscles outwards and sometimes causing this tissue to thin out or even break apart.

After giving birth, this tissue often returns to normal on its own, snapping back like an elastic band. However, for some mothers, it doesn’t completely return to how it was. This means that the tummy muscles stay separated, a condition known as diastasis recti. Usually, you can spot this if you notice your belly sticking out more than usual, either above or below your belly button.

RELATED: What Does a Torn Stomach Muscle Feel Like? – How to Fix Diastasis Recti

Why Do Tummy Muscles Separate During Pregnancy?

Having a baby is a big deal, and it brings a lot of changes to your body, especially to your stomach muscles. Your tummy has a set of muscles on each side, and a stretchy strip of tissue joins them together called the linea alba.

As your baby grows, your stomach muscles and this tissue get pushed outwards to make space for the baby. Sometimes, this stretchy tissue becomes so stretched that it can’t easily snap back into place. When this happens, the muscles on either side of your belly can’t come back together properly. This is what leads to your tummy muscles staying separated, a condition known as abdominal separation or diastasis recti.

Who Is at Risk for Diastasis Recti?

While diastasis recti is most commonly seen in women who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, it can also occur in some men and even in babies. For pregnant women, this often occurs in the third trimester, when the growing baby puts significant pressure on the stomach muscles. Many women don’t even realise they have it until after they’ve given birth.

Diastasis recti is actually more common than you might think. About 60% of women who’ve had a baby will experience it during the post-birth period. The good news is that for about 60% of those women, the condition sorts itself out within the first two months after giving birth. However, nearly 40% of women will still have diastasis recti six months after having their baby.

Most mums-to-be won’t spot any signs until after they’ve had their baby. It’s tough to tell during pregnancy because your tummy is already stretched out.

However, once you’ve had your baby, you might notice some symptoms. These could include a visible ‘pooch’ or bulge above or below your belly button, a jelly-like feeling in your stomach, a conical shape when you tense your stomach muscles, or difficulty lifting things and performing everyday tasks. You may also feel like your tummy muscles are weaker than usual.

What Does Diastasis Recti Actually Feel Like?

Interestingly, diastasis recti itself is usually not painful. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t feel its effects. Due to the separation in your abdominal muscles, you may experience a distinct feeling of weakness in your core. This can become particularly apparent when you’re doing everyday activities that require lifting or straining. For instance, you may find that picking up a laundry basket suddenly feels more difficult than it used to. Additionally, some women describe feeling a sort of jelly-like texture in the gap between their separated abdominal muscles, which is another telltale sign.

How Can I Tell if I Have Diastasis Recti?

Wondering if you have diastasis recti? There are a few common signs that can provide clues. One of the most noticeable is a persistent bulge in your midsection. What makes this bulge different is that it doesn’t seem to go away, even after you’ve lost the weight gained during pregnancy. Exercises that normally target the abdomen may not make a significant difference either. Another sign to look out for is a ‘coning’ or ‘doming’ shape appearing on your belly when you lean back. While it’s possible to perform a self-check, the most reliable way to confirm a diagnosis is to consult with a healthcare professional.

Certain factors can increase your susceptibility to developing diastasis recti. Here are some of the risk factors you should know about:

How to Diagnose Diastasis Recti: Tests and Procedures

Diagnosis starts with a hands-on examination by a healthcare provider, usually during your postpartum check-up before you get the green light to exercise again. Your doctor will use their fingers to feel for gaps and assess the muscle tone in your abdominal area. This condition can affect you above, below, or right at the belly button.

In some instances, additional tools like an ultrasound, measuring tape, or other instruments might be used to get an even more accurate measurement of the abdominal gap. For Medicare purposes, a gap wider than 3 centimetres is generally classified as diastasis recti. Sometimes, the gap is also measured in terms of finger widths, like a two or three-finger separation. Depending on the diagnosis, your healthcare provider might suggest specific exercises to help manage the condition or refer you to a specialist for further treatment options.

You can also perform a self-test to check for diastasis recti. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

How to Manage and Treat Diastasis Recti

Managing and treating diastasis recti generally involves a series of exercises designed to strengthen your core and reduce the gap between your abdominal muscles. Before starting any exercise regimen, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider to confirm that it’s safe and suitable for you, especially if you’ve recently given birth.

It’s advisable to work with a physical therapist who specialises in treating diastasis recti. Such a specialist can help you develop a targeted treatment plan and guide you through the exercises, making sure you’re doing them correctly. The plan typically begins with gentle core-engaging exercises, gradually progressing to more challenging ones as you improve.

While undergoing treatment, you’ll also need to avoid certain actions that can make the separation worse. Here are some tips and modifications to consider:

How to Prevent Diastasis Recti

While it’s quite common to experience some degree of abdominal muscle separation during pregnancy, there are proactive measures you can take to minimise the risk of developing diastasis recti:

These preventive steps can go a long way in reducing the risk of developing diastasis recti. However, it’s always advisable to consult a specialist plastic surgeon for personalised advice tailored to your specific needs.

When Should I Seek Medical Help?

If you’re considering surgical intervention for diastasis recti, a consultation at Centre for Surgery could be an important step in addressing the condition effectively. It is advisable to book a consultation under the following circumstances:

When you consult at Centre for Surgery, the surgeon will perform a thorough diagnosis to assess the extent of the muscle separation and will recommend a tailored treatment plan that may include surgical options such as abdominoplasty. This can help you make an informed decision about how best to proceed in treating your diastasis recti.

Why Choose Centre for Surgery for Diastasis Recti Treatment?

Centre for Surgery boasts a team of highly qualified, experienced, and dedicated surgeons specialising in plastic surgery, including treatments for diastasis recti. Our surgeons are recognised as authorities in the field, continually staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques to provide cutting-edge treatment options.

We take pride in our holistic, patient-focused approach. From your initial consultation through to aftercare, we prioritise your comfort, well-being, and satisfaction. Our bespoke treatment plans are tailored to each individual patient’s needs, ensuring optimal results.

Our clinic, located at 95-97 Baker Street, London, offers state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest surgical and diagnostic technology. This ensures that we can offer the best in patient care and treatment effectiveness.

Patient safety is paramount at Centre for Surgery. We adhere to rigorous protocols and hygiene standards to ensure a safe and sterile environment. Our safety track record speaks for itself.

Easily accessible from various parts of London, our clinic offers flexible consultation timings to accommodate your busy schedule.

Ready to take the first step in treating diastasis recti and improving your quality of life? Book a consultation with one of our specialist surgeons to explore your options.