Diastasis post partum: what to know

Diastasis recti occurs when the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles has been stretched. After birth, some people notice a soft gap, a ridge or doming when they lift their head, reduced core support or an aching back. The appearance of a gap does not determine whether treatment is needed. Pain, weakness, breathing habits, posture and pelvic-floor symptoms are relevant to the assessment. A healthcare professional can distinguish diastasis from a hernia or another cause of a lump.

Breathe normally during movement and avoid holding your breath while lifting. Roll onto your side before rising from bed, keep loads close to your body and increase activity in stages. Begin with comfortable walking and gentle coordination of the breath, deep abdomen and pelvic floor when your clinician says it is appropriate. Avoid exercises that produce pain, pressure or pronounced doming. Postnatal Physiotherapy can assess your pattern and tailor exercises to your birth history, symptoms and daily demands.

Book an assessment if abdominal weakness, back pain, urine leakage, pelvic heaviness or difficulty lifting is affecting daily life. Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, a hard tender bulge, vomiting, fever, wound concerns or inability to pass stool or gas. These signs are not typical of simple post-partum separation and need prompt review. If you are unsure whether a ridge is diastasis or a hernia, do not repeatedly press it or intensify exercises to test it.

Ask whether your abdominal findings are consistent with diastasis recti, whether you need a hernia check, which exercises suit your stage of recovery, and how to manage pain or pelvic-floor symptoms alongside rehabilitation.