Dangers of Diastasis Recti: What to Know

Diastasis recti is a stretching and widening of the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles. It may show as a ridge or doming when you sit up, or as reduced abdominal support. Some people notice back discomfort, difficulty lifting, pelvic-floor symptoms, or a feeling that the trunk is weak; others have no symptoms. It is different from a hernia, although both can occur and a new bulge deserves examination.

Arrange an assessment if the gap, bulge, pain, or weakness affects daily tasks. A clinician or physiotherapist can check abdominal and pelvic-floor function and tailor exercises. In the meantime, roll onto your side to get out of bed, breathe without holding your breath, and avoid straining while lifting. Build activity gradually and stop an exercise that causes pain, pronounced doming, leaking, or pelvic pressure. Postnatal physiotherapy may provide supervised rehabilitation.

Seek prompt care for sudden severe abdominal pain, a hard or tender bulge that does not reduce, vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fever, or faintness. These features can point to a problem other than uncomplicated muscle separation. Contact your clinician for ongoing pain, worsening function, or pelvic-floor symptoms.

Ask whether your symptoms fit diastasis recti or a hernia, which movements need modification, how to progress strengthening, and whether you need pelvic-floor assessment or a rehabilitation referral.