For some women, you may actually just see a bulge in the middle when you do a sit up. If you can feel a gap of two finger widths or more, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, OBGYN or physical therapist for a definitive diagnosis.
Diastasis recti can occur above the belly button, below the belly button and at the belly button. Your provider will use their hands and fingers to feel the abdominal area for gaps and muscle tone. Some providers may use ultrasound, measuring tape or a tool called a caliper for a more accurate measurement.
Diastasis recti often isn't detectable early in pregnancy. Later on, the uterus may bulge through the abdominal muscles — though you most likely won't notice anything is off until after you give birth. At most, your abdominal wall might feel loose.
The main way to tell if you have a hernia or diastasis recti is whether you feel pain. Hernias can cause substantial pain while diastasis recti may increase discomfort and abdominal wall weakness.
Ultrasound imaging is an acceptable method to measure IRD in postpartum women with diastasis recti.
Difference between diastasis recti and belly fat
One way to tell if you just have excess weight or an actual muscle gap is by tensing your belly muscles. Try lying flat and then lifting your head like when doing a sit-up. If present, the gap or bulge of diastasis recti will be pronounced in the center of your belly.
Diastasis recti can come with visible bulging or doming at the center of the abdomen that appears with certain movements, with some women saying they still look pregnant long after giving birth.
Diastasis Recti Symptoms
Feelings of “flabbiness” in the abdominal muscles. Pelvic-floor muscle dysfunction that causes urinary or bowel problems (incontinence, leakage, constipation, etc). Low back or pelvic or hip pain. Poor posture.
Sometimes the appearance of belly fat is exacerbated by a condition called diastasis recti, in which your abdominal muscles have separated due to pregnancy, weight gain, or other conditions.
Is Diastasis Recti a Hernia? While diastasis recti and abdominal hernias may look similar, they are not the same. Diastasis recti is not a protrusion of intestines or abdominal tissues like a hernia; it is a bulge of muscle due to the stretched connective tissue.
While rare, severe cases of diastasis recti may make it more complicated to have a vaginal delivery in the future, since it can be harder to engage the core muscles needed to push. This is especially true when pregnancies are close together. Talk to your midwife or doctor if you think this may be an issue.
It's believed that most, if not all women experience some separation of the linea alba during pregnancy. Pretty much every woman will have a diastasis of greater than 16 millimeters by weeks 35 to 39 of her pregnancy [1].
How Do I Check Myself for Diastasis Recti? You can assess whether you're a first-time mom or a more seasoned mom. I recommend waiting until you're about two weeks postpartum to do your first assessment.
Rectus diastasis creates a visible bulge in your abdomen, but it's more than just a cosmetic concern. Untreated rectus diastasis can weaken your abdominal muscles over time, leaving you with chronic lower back pain and reduced mobility.
Depending on the severity of your diastasis recti, it can take anywhere from 6-12 months of consistent work. It is recommended to work with a PT or Pilates instructor three times a week. ProHealth Physical Therapy and Pilates in Peachtree City, GA can help you get started on your healing process today.
Brown explains, no amount of weight loss can fix the physical problem of having two muscles stretched apart. They must be sewn back together, which is why diastasis recti repair is best performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.
If there is a gap of more than 2 fingers width between either side of the muscles, that is technically defined as a “diastasis recti.” This can also create the “Breadloafing” effect in the belly that many call the mom belly.
Poor Posture
Your core helps to stabilize your spine. With diastasis recti, your ab muscles are weakened and can cause poor posture. Poor posture can also make diastasis recti worse. It's always good to be mindful of your posture, but especially if you are trying to repair your diastasis recti.
Diastasis recti can lead to side effects like lower back pain, constipation and urine leaking.
Both vaginal and c section delivery affect the abdominal muscles and can cause postpartum diastasis recti. Some research has found that the condition is more common in women who have given birth by c section. The nature of c section delivery and recovery can weaken the core, resulting in diastasis recti.
The Diastasis Recti
After birth, the muscles don't always bounce back, leaving a gap known as the mommy pooch.
Problems caused by Diastasis recti
Thickened waist: the abdominal muscles act as an internal corset and, as they weaken and separate, a wider waistline can result. Hernia: as the linea alba stretches, it becomes thinner and an epigastric hernia can form.