What should you know about diastasis recti tear?

During pregnancy or major changes in abdominal pressure, the connective tissue between the two rectus muscles can become thinner and wider. This can create a ridge or soft gap along the centre of the abdomen when you sit up. The rectus muscles themselves are not necessarily torn. A painful, localised lump may instead suggest a hernia, while sudden pain after an accident or heavy effort may point to a muscle or soft-tissue injury. The appearance alone cannot tell these conditions apart.

Book an assessment if the gap, doming, pain, or weakness affects lifting, rolling in bed, walking, or caring for a baby. A physiotherapist can observe breathing, posture, pressure management, and deep abdominal control; Postnatal Physiotherapy may be a useful related service. Use a side-roll technique to get out of bed, breathe out during effort, and avoid exercises that cause pronounced doming or pain until you have guidance. Keep ordinary gentle movement within comfort rather than prolonged bed rest.

Seek urgent assessment for sudden severe pain, a hard or tender bulge, vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fainting, or abdominal swelling that is rapidly worsening. Contact a clinician soon for persistent pain, bruising, weakness, or a bulge that appears with coughing and does not settle.

Ask whether the finding is diastasis recti, a hernia, or another injury; which movements are suitable now; how to lift safely; and whether imaging or specialist review is needed.