Rectus diastasis after pregnancy

During pregnancy the abdominal muscles are stretched over 9 months to allow room for the growing child. The abdominal muscles become weaker. After delivery, the abdominal muscles do not immediately return to their original position and an existing rectus diastasis occurs.

Normally, the rectus diastasis recedes on its own during the first few days. Physiotherapists and midwives always address the abdominal muscles as part of general regression exercises and thus support the regression of rectus diastasis. If the rectus diastasis remains, a specific training program should be set up to strengthen the abdominal muscles.

The gap between the two muscle bellies of the rectus abdominis muscle can be from 1 to 10 centimeters long. It is most frequently found in the area above the navel. The abdominal muscles may also start to move apart even before delivery.In late pregnancy, the uterus or the contour of the child can then become visible through the skin, as no muscle layer lies over it.

During childbirth, rectus diastasis can make delivery more difficult, as the abdominal muscles may not be able to exert sufficient force due to rectus diastasis. In addition, the muscle weakness on the front side of the body can lead to overloading of the structures behind. Pain in the lumbar spine or even in the buttocks is a common side effect during pregnancy.

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In very rare cases, e.g. when there are complicated organ protrusions (fracture) or for aesthetic reasons, rectus diastasis can be corrected surgically. In this case, the position of the abdominal muscles is changed again by suturing so that there is a physiological distance between the two rectus abdomen. For this purpose, the muscle attachment is further sutured in the middle of the linea alba. In the case of severe instability of the abdominal wall, this can be reinforced by inserting a plastic net in order to avoid possibly complicated organ fractures.

Rectus diastasis in the baby

In the newborn, a physiological rectus diastasis often occurs. The abdominal muscles are still differently demanded than in adults and are positioned further away from the midline. In the course of time, usually with the beginning of walking and standing, the rectus diastasis disappears by itself. If it persists, it is called a (rare) congenital rectus diastasis.