Abdominal separation after a C-section

The operation does not itself define the size or severity of diastasis recti. Recovery should protect the wound, manage abdominal pressure, and gradually rebuild comfortable control rather than force the gap closed.

Diastasis recti is widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the two long abdominal muscles. You may notice a ridge or dome along the centre of your abdomen when sitting up, coughing, or lifting. The appearance of a gap alone does not show how well your abdominal wall functions.

A caesarean incision involves tissues in the lower abdomen and needs time to heal. Incision soreness, altered sensation, and difficulty moving can temporarily change how you brace your trunk, so an early self-check may not reflect later recovery.

Follow your maternity team's wound and activity instructions. Roll onto your side before rising from bed, exhale during effort, avoid breath-holding, and reduce a movement if it causes pronounced doming, incision pulling, or pain. Walking and gentle breathing can be increased as comfort and surgical guidance allow.

A pelvic health physiotherapist can assess breathing, abdominal coordination, pelvic floor function, scar comfort after the wound has healed, and tasks such as carrying your baby. Exercise selection should be based on symptoms and control, not only finger-width measurements.

Contact your maternity team promptly for increasing wound redness, warmth, swelling, discharge, opening, fever, worsening abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, heavy bleeding, or feeling markedly unwell. Seek emergency help for severe abdominal pain, chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or a painful swollen leg.

Arrange a routine assessment if doming, back or pelvic discomfort, leaking, heaviness, or difficulty with daily movement continues. A new tender bulge that does not settle may need examination to distinguish abdominal separation from a hernia.

Ask when your incision is ready for scar care, which lifting limits apply to your recovery, whether your bulge needs a hernia check, and when referral for postnatal physiotherapy would be appropriate.