How long does postnatal physiotherapy take to work for diastasis recti?

Diastasis recti is a widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles after pregnancy. Physiotherapy focuses on breathing, deep abdominal coordination, posture, and movement habits rather than simply closing a visible gap. Progress varies with the size and symptoms of the separation, healing after birth, previous activity, sleep, and how consistently exercises can be fitted into daily life.

Early changes may include easier rolling in bed, lifting, or getting up without doming along the midline. A measurement alone does not show the whole picture; comfort, control, and function matter too.

Attend an assessment so the physiotherapist can check abdominal and pelvic-floor function and adapt exercises to your delivery and current recovery. Practise the prescribed movements with steady breathing, and use the same technique when lifting your baby or changing position. Avoid forcing exercises that cause pain, breath-holding, or pronounced bulging. A follow-up can adjust the programme as control improves.

You can read more about [Postnatal Physiotherapy](/treatments/pelvic-floor-and-rehabilitation/postnatal-physiotherapy/).

Contact your maternity or physiotherapy team if pain is increasing, the abdomen becomes newly swollen or very tender, or exercises cause persistent symptoms. Seek urgent medical help for severe abdominal pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, fever, or a wound that is opening or producing pus. A lack of quick cosmetic change is not by itself an emergency, but stalled function or worsening discomfort deserves reassessment.

Ask which movements are suitable at your stage of recovery, how to tell useful muscle effort from straining, and when progress should be checked. Ask whether back pain, pelvic-floor symptoms, or a caesarean wound changes the plan.