Severe diastasis recti symptoms: what to know

Diastasis recti is a widening and thinning of the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles. A ridge or doming may appear along the midline when you sit up, cough, or lift. Some people notice poor trunk control, a feeling of abdominal weakness, pelvic-floor symptoms, or aching in the lower back and hips. The size of the gap alone does not determine how severe the functional problem is; pain, movement difficulty, and loss of support also matter.

Arrange an assessment with a clinician or physiotherapist familiar with postnatal recovery, particularly if symptoms limit lifting, walking, exercise, or caring for a baby. Rehabilitation may focus on breathing, gentle deep abdominal activation, posture, pressure management, and a gradual return to loading. Avoid exercises that repeatedly produce marked doming or pain until your technique has been reviewed. Postnatal Physiotherapy can help tailor this process.

Seek prompt medical advice for sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting, a firm tender lump, fever, fainting, new weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These features are not explained by abdominal separation alone and may need urgent assessment. Contact a clinician sooner if the bulge is rapidly changing or you cannot perform usual activities.

Ask whether your symptoms fit diastasis recti, whether a hernia or another condition should be excluded, which movements to modify, and how progress will be measured. Ask when you can safely increase lifting or exercise and whether pelvic-floor assessment would add useful information.