Diastasis Recti:
Why do Ab separations happen & how do we treat it?

Sometimes also referred to as a ‘mummy pooch’, Diastasis Recti occurs when there is a gap between your abdominal muscles after going through pregnancy. This makes your lower belly stick out due to the excess space between your left & right abdominal muscles. 

 

Did you know? About two-thirds of pregnant mummies have it and it is highly treatable! Oftentimes, Diastasis Recti gets better in the first 8 weeks after delivery.

 

How do ab separations happen in the first place?

 

The reason why so many pregnant women have this condition is because pregnancy puts immense pressure on the belly. As the uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus, so does the abdominal area surrounding it. A connective tissue between your ab muscles, also known as the linea alba, stretches and loosens out gradually as your hormones fluctuate throughout the course of your pregnancy. Over time, the pressure exerted on the abdominal muscles causes it to separate from each other – thus resulting in Diastasis Recti. 

 

There are varying degrees of abdominal separation that can occur, and it is highly dependent on many factors. For example, there are higher chances of Diastasis Recti forming when a mom has more than one child, especially if the children are close in age. You would also be more likely to get it if you are pregnant while being over 35 years old, have weak abdominal muscles pre-pregnancy, if you have a heavy fetus, or are conceiving twins or even triplets. 

 

Diastasis Recti can make a vaginal delivery more difficult due to the decrease in support from the abdominal muscles. It can also lead to other conditions such as bladder leakages (incontinence), constipation and lower back aches when there is an over-separation of your ab muscles. The effects of Diastasis Recti varies from woman to woman, as with the time needed to go through the healing journey after going through childbirth. 

 

To find out if you have Diastasis Recti, you can perform a self-check in the comfort of your own home and see if the common symptoms are applicable to you – simply click here to find out!

 

When should I seek treatment for Diastasis Recti?

 

It is important to seek a professional when it comes to treating Diastasis Recti so that your body is able to heal optimally. The urgency of seeking treatment for this condition varies greatly on how severe it is. If the ab separation is very apparent and stretched out, it would be more pressing to seek treatment to prevent future problems from occurring as a result of severe Diastasis Recti.

 

Some symptoms to look out for if you have severe Diastasis Recti would be:

• Lower back pain

• Urinary incontinence

• Constipation

 

In that case, how do we treat Diastasis Recti?

 

At Emkore Clinic, we use a highly specialized machine to target the areas where your abdominal muscles are separated. The weakened abdominal muscles have to be retrained in order to go back to its optimal pre-pregnancy condition. We use radiofrequency technology to promote collagen production which helps to repair the overstretched linea alba, and reduce fat around the area as well.

 

Our consultant would also go through a customized treatment plan with you and provide advice to help you in your healing journey. In the meantime, you should also take it easy at home and avoid doing strenuous activities that will further strain your abdominal muscles, such as sit-ups and crunches. You can instead try light exercises such as pelvic tilts to gradually strengthen your pelvic floor.

 

Overall, Diastasis Recti is a common issue mommies face that can be improved with the right treatment plan, and our team is more than ready to help you get through this recovery process!