Diastasis recti around the belly button

The ridge may become clearer when sitting up, coughing, or lifting. The appearance alone does not show how well the abdominal wall functions, and a belly-button bulge may instead be an umbilical hernia.

The rectus muscles run vertically on either side of the midline connective tissue. That midline crosses the belly-button area, where widening may be easy to see or feel after pregnancy or other sustained stretching of the abdomen.

Clinicians consider more than the width of a gap. They may look at tissue tension, doming during movement, breathing coordination, strength, discomfort, and whether daily tasks are affected.

Avoid repeatedly testing the gap or pressing deeply into a tender area. When getting out of bed, roll onto your side and use your arms as needed. Exhale during effort rather than holding your breath, and reduce or adjust an exercise if it causes marked doming or pain.

Rehabilitation commonly builds coordination between breathing, the deep abdominal muscles, and the pelvic floor before loading becomes harder. Postnatal physiotherapy can provide an individual examination and help adapt lifting, exercise, and childcare movements.

Book an assessment if the area is painful, the bulge is localised to the navel, symptoms interfere with movement, or you are uncertain whether a hernia is present. Get urgent help if a bulge suddenly becomes hard, discoloured, or intensely painful, particularly with vomiting, abdominal swelling, or inability to pass stool or gas.

Ask whether the finding is diastasis recti, an umbilical hernia, or both. Useful follow-up questions include which activities are currently suitable, what symptoms should stop exercise, and whether physiotherapy or a surgical opinion is appropriate.