During pregnancy, and more specifically during the second half of pregnancy, the increased volume of the abdomen leads to the separation of the two parallel abdominal muscles that extend from the chest to the pelvis. This change is normal and is called abdominal diastasis. Normally, they disappear around 8 weeks after the baby’s birth, without the need for any special measures. However, in some cases, muscle separation persists – one in three women is still affected by this problem 12 months after giving birth – which has consequences for women’s self-esteem, but not only. Discover the most common symptoms, risk factors and best indications!
Symptoms and clues
- Visible bulge above and/or below the navel, more noticeable when muscles contract
- Flaccidity and abdominal weakness
- Difficulty lifting or carrying objects or performing daily activities
- Bad posture
- Pelvic, lumbar or hip pain
- Stress urinary incontinence
- Constipation
Risk factors
- Multiple pregnancies (twins)
- Pregnancy from age 35
- Large baby (>4Kg)
- Vaginal delivery
- Abdominal obesity
- Multiple abdominal surgeries
Finding the right treatment
Before starting any physical activity, make sure it’s adapted to your degree of abdominal diastasis. Unfortunately, most well-known exercises – the classic abdominal crunches or planks and even certain yoga positions – can aggravate the situation. An initial period of treatment under the supervision of qualified professionals may be required before an individualized, tailored rehabilitation program is implemented, guided by the physiatrist.
