Diastasis recti while pregnant

As the uterus grows, the abdominal wall adapts and the central connective tissue can become more flexible. You may notice a line, ridge, or cone when getting out of bed, coughing, or changing position. Some pregnant people feel heaviness, back discomfort, or reduced confidence with lifting; others feel no symptoms. The visible shape can change across the day and with posture. Diastasis recti is different from a painful, firm lump, so a new focal bulge needs assessment rather than a home diagnosis.

Mention the change at a prenatal appointment, especially if it affects breathing, movement, or comfort. Use your arms and a side roll when rising, breathe continuously during effort, and avoid breath-holding while lifting. Choose pregnancy-appropriate activity and modify any exercise that produces pain, pressure, or marked doming. A pelvic-health physiotherapist can tailor deep-core, posture and pelvic-floor work to your pregnancy and can advise on support garments if relevant.

Seek urgent advice for severe or persistent abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, fluid loss, regular painful contractions, faintness, fever, vomiting, or reduced fetal movement when that is relevant to your stage of pregnancy. Contact your clinician promptly for a bulge that is painful, hard, red, or discoloured. Non-urgent review is appropriate for ongoing back pain, pelvic pressure, or difficulty with daily tasks.

Could this midline change be diastasis recti? Which activities should I adapt at my current stage? Can I see a pelvic-health physiotherapist? Which symptoms require an immediate call to the maternity team?