Diastasis recti repair during a C-section

A caesarean birth involves an incision through the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver the baby. Diastasis recti affects the midline connective tissue and is a different issue from the delivery incision. Closing the skin or deeper layers of a C-section does not necessarily bring the separated abdominal muscles back together.

A surgeon may consider other abdominal-wall findings, but adding a repair can change the operation, recovery and follow-up. Pregnancy can stretch the repair again, so future childbearing plans are relevant. The decision needs an individual surgical discussion rather than an assumption that the conditions can be combined.

Tell your obstetrician about bulging, pain, previous abdominal operations, exercise limitations and plans for future pregnancies. Ask whether the visible change could be a hernia and whether a separate abdominal-wall consultation is needed. After birth, follow incision-care instructions and progress movement as advised. Rehabilitation can address breathing, posture and load tolerance; Postnatal Physiotherapy may help once your team considers it suitable.

Seek urgent review for increasing wound redness, separation, drainage, fever, severe pain, vomiting, or a new painful firm abdominal lump. Contact your maternity team for pain that is not settling or difficulty with urination, bowel movements or walking. A persistent midline bulge can be assessed separately after early healing.

Ask whether a repair is medically indicated, what it would add to the operation, how it could affect recovery, and whether future pregnancy changes the recommendation. Clarify who will examine a possible hernia and when physiotherapy should begin.