During pregnancy, you may notice a visible bulge or ridge in the middle of your abdomen, or a gap between your rectus muscles. Additionally, you might experience lower back pain, weak core muscles, or difficulty engaging your core. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help determine if your stomach muscles have separated.
During pregnancy, it is common for the abdominal muscles to separate, a condition known as diastasis recti. This occurs when the connective tissue, called the linea alba, that joins the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle (the “six-pack” muscle) stretches and weakens, creating a gap between the muscles.
To determine if your stomach muscles have separated during pregnancy, here are some signs to look out for:
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Visible bulge or ridge: You may notice a visible bulge or ridge in the middle of your abdomen, particularly when sitting up or performing certain movements. This bulge is often more pronounced when the abdominal muscles are engaged.
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Gap between the muscles: Gently pressing on your abdomen, just above your belly button, you may feel a gap between your rectus muscles. This gap may range from a few fingers’ width to several centimeters, depending on the severity of the diastasis recti.
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Lower back pain: Diastasis recti can contribute to lower back pain during pregnancy. As the abdominal muscles weaken and separate, they may struggle to support the spine, leading to increased strain on the lower back.
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Weak core muscles: If you find it challenging to engage your core muscles, such as when attempting exercises like planks or sit-ups, it could be an indication of diastasis recti. Weakened and separated abdominal muscles may result in a loss of core strength.
Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial for a proper assessment and diagnosis of diastasis recti. They can accurately measure the width and depth of the separation and provide guidance on exercises and treatments to help restore muscle function and alignment.
Famous quote on the topic:
“The most important thing is to have a thorough evaluation and seek guidance on specific exercises, because not all exercises are created equal. In some cases, more traditional abdominal exercises may exacerbate the separation, making it worse.” – Leah Keller, a specialist in postpartum restoration.
Here are some interesting facts about diastasis recti:
- Diastasis recti is prevalent during pregnancy, with estimates suggesting that it affects up to two-thirds of pregnant women.
- While pregnancy is a common cause of diastasis recti, it can also occur in men and women who are not pregnant, often as a result of significant weight gain or intense abdominal exercises.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy, such as the increased production of relaxin, can contribute to the separation of the abdominal muscles.
- Diastasis recti can affect the postpartum recovery process, including core strength, pelvic stability, and overall body alignment.
- It is important to differentiate diastasis recti from a hernia, as they may present with similar symptoms. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help determine the correct diagnosis.
Table: Exercises to Avoid and Recommendations for Diastasis Recti
| Exercises to Avoid | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Sit-ups or crunches | Opt for diaphragmatic breathing exercises and modified core exercises. |
| Planks and intense core exercises | Focus on gentle exercises that engage the deep core muscles, such as pelvic tilts and gentle Pilates. |
| Heavy lifting or straining | Practice proper body mechanics and avoid lifting heavy objects until the separation is healed. |
| Traditional ab exercises (e.g., Russian twists) | Incorporate exercises that promote abdominal wall strengthening without overstretching the connective tissue, like transverse abdominis exercises. |
Remember, the severity of diastasis recti and the recommended exercises may vary for each individual. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in postpartum or pelvic health to personalize your treatment plan.
In this video, you may find the answer to “How do you know if your stomach muscles separated during pregnancy?”
In this YouTube video, Kimberley shares her personal journey with diastasis recti (DR), a condition where the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. Despite being fit and active, Kimberley struggled with a swollen and pregnant-looking stomach. Traditional exercises only exacerbated her condition, until she discovered the Tupler technique, a non-surgical approach to healing DR. By wearing a splint, performing specific exercises, and following the program for 15 weeks, Kimberley experienced significant improvements in both her physical and emotional well-being. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help from providers who understand and treat DR, as not all doctors recognize its impact on both the body and mind.
Other responses to your question
One of the most common signs of diastasis recti is a bulge in your midsection that doesn’t go away, even after exercising or losing weight gained during pregnancy. Another sign is that your belly cones or domes when you lean back on a chair or get up out of bed.
You can check if you have an abdominal separation by trying this:
- lie on your back with your knees bent up
- place your flat fingertips across your belly at the level of your belly button
If your abdominal separation is not too big, you may decide to live with it. But you should bring those muscles back together before you have another pregnancy. Your doctor can measure how far apart your muscles are using finger widths, a measuring tape or instrument, or ultrasound. Then they can see whether it’s getting better or worse.
During pregnancy, you might not have any noticeable symptoms as your abdominal muscles separate. But during the second or third trimester, you might see a bulge or ridge developing on your belly. It can appear above and below the bellybutton.
I am sure you will be interested in this
What does muscle separation feel like in pregnancy? In reply to that: The separation isn’t painful. You may feel that your core has become weak, for example when lifting something like a laundry basket. You can check if you have an abdominal separation by trying this: lie on your back with your knees bent up.
In this manner, What does the start of diastasis recti feel like? Answer will be: Diastasis recti is a common condition many women get during and after pregnancy, indicated by lower back discomfort, constipation, or incontinence, along with a bulge in the belly.
Then, Can your stomach muscles split during pregnancy? As an answer to this: It’s common for the 2 muscles that run down the middle of your stomach to separate during pregnancy. This is called diastasis recti, or divarication. The amount of separation can vary. It happens because your growing womb (uterus) pushes the muscles apart, making them longer and weaker.
Just so, At what week of pregnancy does diastasis recti occur? The reply will be: Diastasis Recti Is Common!
And in this study on the prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti from late-pregnancy to six months postpartum, 100% of participants had a diastasis at gestational week 35 and 39% of participants still had a separation at six months postpartum.
What causes abdominal muscles to separate during pregnancy?
Response to this: During pregnancy, the growing uterus sometimes causes the abdominal muscles to separate (diastasis recti). Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
Secondly, What happens if you have rectus abdominis diastasis during pregnancy?
Response to this: Your body goes through a ton of physical changes during pregnancy, which can lead to all kinds of unexpected postpartum conditions. One of which is abdominal separation, also called rectus abdominis diastasis (RAD). This is a condition that causes weakened and separated stomach muscles and can affect women during and after pregnancy.
Just so, Why does my belly stick out after giving birth?
When the tissue loses its elasticity from being overstretched, the gap in the abdominals will not close as much as it should. This is diastasis recti. If you have diastasis, your belly may appear to stick out just above or below the belly button, making you appear pregnant months or years after giving birth.
What should I do if I Have abdominal pain during pregnancy? As a response to this: Most women will experience some abdominal separation during pregnancy. This can weaken your core and lead to back or pelvic pain. You may need to wear a binder or Tubigrip for support during the day. Also, take care to do the following: Avoid any heavy lifting or further straining of your abdominal muscles until after you deliver.