Diastasis Recti takes place when your abdominal muscles stretch during pregnancy, resulting in a post-partum belly. Your belly may bulge out and create a pooch long after giving birth. As frustrating as it sounds, this condition isn’t too bad if you know how to go for diastasis recti repair.
Though the condition can present itself any time during pregnancy, it occurs mostly after giving birth. That’s because the abdominal walls are lax, and midline tissues don’t provide the support to your torso. With exercise and diet routine, you can get rid of this pooch. But sometimes, when conditions worsen, it may need surgery instead.
Diastasis Recti Repair
How to Identify If You Have Diastasis Recti?
When you have a gap of nearly 2-2.5 finger-widths between the abdominal muscles, it can be diastasis recti. You may either identify this condition with a few steps or take an ultrasound for a detailed examination.
For self-examination, lie on your back and bend your knees at 90 degrees. Keep your feet flat on the floor and put your palm on your belly button with fingers played on your belly. Now, press gently and lift your head until your chin comes near the chest. It contracts your abdominal muscles, and if you have a gap of more than two finger-widths, it’s diastasis recti.
Apart from these, look for symptoms like bulging belly, pelvic pain, digestive problems, hernia, urine leaks, poor posture, and difficulty in vaginal delivery. If you have any of these symptoms, start exercising unless you need surgery.
Diastasis Recti
When Is the Surgery the Right Option?
When you have a severe case of diastasis recti, you may consider going under the knife. But, experts say that choose surgery only when therapeutic and physical routines fail. Also, you need to see if your problem is a big issue.
If your diastasis recti cause you constant pain, you may need surgery. In other cases, try more straightforward options that aren’t too intense.
What Happens in the Surgery for Diastasis Recti?
The surgery for diastasis recti repair can be a bit substantial. Abdominoplasty or a tummy tuck is the term for these surgical procedures. Sometimes, an endoscopic-assisted non-invasive surgery can help to tighten the muscles even the gap is small.
However, some surgeries are too involved, and you will not even get insurance to cover their expenses. The surgery is a cosmetic procedure, and you need substantial recovery time as well.
Can Exercises Help?
Many experts say that the right exercises, along with a proper schedule, can help to cure diastasis recti. All you got to do is focus on the exercises that pull in your abdominals. These may include pelvic titles, compressions, single-leg stretches, and heel slides.
Whatever exercises you choose, the idea is to tighten the core and pull your belly in at the end of your routine. Start with oblique muscles to bring the separated muscles together. And don’t forget the right breathing techniques as well.
Hence, look for research-based programs that meet your needs. These are customized schedules for your lifestyle in the post-partum stage. Some programs provide guided paths along with daily prescriptions and peer support to help you throughout the process of recovery.
Consult your doctor before commencing any new treatment that can be after six weeks after the pregnancy.
