Diastasis recti is a condition that occurs when the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. It is estimated that 60-70% of pregnant women have diastasis recti at some point during their pregnancy. While diastasis recti can cause a visible bulge in the middle of the abdomen, it can also lead to more than just cosmetic concerns. Untreated diastasis recti can weaken your abdominal muscles over time and lead to chronic lower back pain and reduced mobility.
Unfortunately, many pregnant women are unaware they are suffering from this condition as the symptoms can be hard to recognize. Common signs of diastasis recti include abdominal discomfort, lower back pain, and a loss of bladder control. Additionally, some women may experience pain or discomfort along their midline during pregnancy due to their stretched out abdominal muscles. Although there is no cure for the condition, there are ways to reduce its severity or even prevent it altogether.
Some tips for preventing and managing diastasis recti include avoiding activities that require you to strain your abdominal muscles such as sit-ups or crunches, being mindful when lifting heavy objects, practicing proper posture (especially during breastfeeding), and engaging in gentle core strengthening exercises such as planks or pelvic tilts throughout your pregnancy. Regular physical activity during pregnancy can also help keep your abdominals toned and strong which will help prepare them for labor and delivery. Additionally, wearing a maternity belt or support band may help provide extra support to your abdomen which may ease any pain or discomfort associated with diastasis recti.
Although it’s not always possible to totally prevent diastasis recti from occurring during pregnancy, with proper awareness and preparation you can minimize its effects and possibly even prevent it from happening in the first place!
Managing Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy
Yes, it is possible to do something about diastasis recti whle pregnant. The best thing you can do is focus on strengthening your transverse abdominis (TA) muscle, which is the deepest layer of your abdominal muscles that wraps around your abdomen like a corset. This will help to keep your abdominal wall together and reduce the size of the separation between your rectus abdominis (RA) muscles. Exercises such as lying down pelvic tilts, quadruped breathing exercises, and planks are all great for strengthening your TA. Additionally, you should be mindful of how you move in everyday life and activities to ensure that you don’t strain or put too much pressure on your abdominal wall. Lastly, be sure to wear a supportive pregnancy belt when engaging in any physical activity or even just when going about everyday activities.
Source: morelandobgyn.com
The Pain Associated with Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti can cause a range of different types of pain. These can include lower back pain, abdominal discomfort, and a feeling of heaviness in the midsection. In addition to physical pain, diastasis recti may also lead to incontinence and difficulty with bowel movements. In some cases, the abdominal muscles may also become overly tight and cause significant discomfort when moving or stretching.
Location of Diastasis Recti Pain
Pain associated with diastasis recti is typically located in the lower abdomen and lower back, athough some people may also experience pain in the neck or upper back. It can range from a mild ache to sharp, stabbing pains that worsen with activity. The pain can vary depending on the severity of the diastasis recti and how much abdominal muscle weakness has occurred due to it. In some cases, people may even experience referred pain radiating out from the navel area to other parts of the body.
The Feeling of Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy
Diastasis recti while pregnant can feel like your abdominal muscles are stretching and thinning out. You may feel a separation in the middle of your stomach, or a bulge that loos like a ball of pizza dough when you strain your muscles. This is because the rectus abdominis muscle, which normally runs down the center of your abdomen, is separating, leaving no resistance when tightened. Additionally, you may find it more difficult to support your growing baby as the weakened muscle no longer provides enough reinforcement for your growing belly.
The Impact of Diastasis Recti on Labor
Yes, diastasis recti can affect labor. When the Linea Alba (the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles) is thin or weakened, it can cause a number of issues during labor, including an increased risk of uterine prolapse, umbilical cord compression and even fetal distress. Additionally, weakened abdominal muscles can make it more difficult for the baby to move through the birth canal safely and efficiently. It is important for women with diastasis recti to discuss their options with their healthcare provider in order to ensure that they are best prepared for labor and delivery.
The Effects of Diastasis Recti on Pain Sensations
No, diastasis recti does not typically cause sharp pain. However, some people may experience pain along with other side effects of diastasis recti, such as fatigue and lower back pain. This pain is usually dull or aching in nature and typically worsens with movement. Other signs that you may have diastasis recti include a bulge in your stomach when straining or pressure, feeling heaviness or pressure in your abdominal area, and hving difficulty engaging your core muscles when doing simple tasks like lifting a laundry basket. If you are experiencing sharp pain, it is important to speak with your doctor to rule out any other underlying causes of the pain.
The Effects of Making Diastasis Recti Worse
Diastasis recti is a condition in which the abdominal muscles stretch and separate, causing a noticeable bulge in the midline of the abdomen. It is more common in pregnancy, but can also happen due to age, genetics, or excessive strain on the abdominal muscles. Unfortunately, there are certain activities and exercises that can make diastasis recti worse. These include crunches, ab twists, planks, backward bends that stretch the abdominal area, certain yoga poses or any type of heavy lifting activities that bulge out the stomach. Additionally, if you are obese or overweight this can also put extra stress on your abdominal muscles and worsen diastasis recti. Therefore it is important to avoid any activity or exercise that places large amounts of stress on your abdomen.
Consequences of Not Treating Diastasis Recti
If diastasis recti is not fixed, the weakened abdominal and pelvic muscles can lead to a wide range of issues. These include difficulty exercising, back pain, incontinence, constipation, painful intercourse and even a hernia. In extreme cases, this condition can cause a permanent separation of the abdominal muscles that can’t be reversed without surgery. Over time, the weakened tissue becomes increasingly stretched and thinned out wich can lead to reduced stability in the core and put increased strain on other parts of your body such as your lower back. This can cause postural problems and further discomfort. In addition, if the separation is severe enough it may even be visible through clothing or appear as a bulge in the abdomen.
The Relationship Between Diastasis Recti and Pelvic Pain
Yes, diastasis recti can cause pelvic pain. This is becase the condition causes a bulge in the middle of the abdomen, which can put extra pressure on the muscles and ligaments in the pelvic area, leading to significant pain. In addition, diastasis recti can cause lower back pain and other issues related to the pelvic floor, such as constipation or bladder leakage. It’s important to be aware of these risks so that they can be addressed quickly to minimize discomfort.
Signs and Symptoms of Severe Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is considered severe when the linea alba, a connective tissue that runs down the center of your abdomen, has stretched to the point where it can no longer effectively support your core muscles. When this occurs, your deep core muscles are not able to generate tension and provide stability and strength for your pelvis and abdomen. In severe cases of diastasis recti, this can cause an increase in intra-abdominal pressure resulting in pain and discomfort. Additionally, it may be difficult to perform exercises or activities that require abdominal strength or stability due to weakened core muscles.
The Appearance of Diastasis Recti in the Stomach
If you have diastasis recti, your stomach may appear to have a pooch or bulge in the middle when you strain or contract your abdominal muscles. This occurs when the muscles and connective tissues that make up the abdominal wall have stretched apart, creating a gap in the middle of your abdomen. This gap can result in a noticeable protrusion that can look like a ridge or dome-shaped mound on either side of the midline area of your stomach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, diastasis recti is a condition that can be caused by pregnancy or obesity, and can cause a visible bulge in the abdomen. It is important to be aware of its symptoms which may include lower back pain, abdominal discomfort and a loss of bladder control. If left untreated, it can lead to further impairments such as chronic lower back pain and reduced mobility. Fortunately, there are exercises specifically designed to target transverse abdominis which can help improve diastasis recti over time. Moms Into Fitness will provide you with the necesary resources and guidance to help strengthen your deep core muscles and create a strong, functional core that can support you in all of life’s activities.
