What should you know about born with diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti means the connective tissue between the two sides of the main abdominal muscle is wider or thinner than expected. In infants, a soft ridge may become visible when crying or straining. Assessment helps distinguish this from an umbilical or other abdominal-wall hernia.

The ridge follows the centre of the abdomen because pressure pushes against the tissue between the muscle bands. Diastasis itself is a widening rather than a hole through which bowel is trapped. This distinction is why an examination matters when the label has been assumed from appearance alone.

In an older child or adult who believes the separation has always been present, a clinician can check abdominal-wall function, breathing mechanics, pain and any associated hernia. Appearance does not reliably show how well the abdominal wall functions.

Arrange a routine examination with a paediatrician for a baby, or an appropriate clinician for an older patient. Avoid pressing forcefully on a bulge or using tight binding devices. Normal gentle handling and age-appropriate movement are generally preferable to unprescribed strengthening exercises.

For persistent functional concerns, a physiotherapist can assess movement and choose exercises that limit excessive outward doming. Adult programmes should be tailored to symptoms and control rather than judged only by the width felt between the muscles.

Seek urgent medical assessment if an abdominal or navel bulge becomes hard, very tender, discoloured or cannot relax, especially with repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, feeding difficulty, unusual sleepiness or severe pain. Those features may point to a problem other than uncomplicated diastasis.

Book a non-urgent review if the diagnosis is uncertain, the area is increasingly prominent, movement causes pain, or abdominal function limits everyday activity.

Ask whether the finding is diastasis or a hernia, whether any imaging is needed, which activities are suitable, and what change should trigger reassessment. For an older patient, ask whether physiotherapy should address breathing, posture, lifting technique or pelvic-floor coordination.