Diastasis Recti
Listen to our Podcast on Diastasis Recti with Dr. Sinead DufourDiastasis Rectus Abdominis (DRA) (aka Diastasis Recti)
What is Diastasis Recti?
The linea alba (intricate connective tissue) that runs between the rectus abdominis muscles (“6 pack abs”) and the transversus abdominis is designed to thin out during pregnancy to accommodate baby. It is also meant to thicken up again after baby is born.
Diastasis rectus abdominis (sometimes called diastasis recti) has been undergoing some new research and in the process, the definition of it has changed (officially in 2017 with 22 pelvic health experts from Canada led by Dr. Sinead Dufour). The confusion around this is likely because literally, diastasis translates to separation.
Artwork by Lindsay Hobbs
Who is Susceptible to DRA?
DRA is common in pregnancy (66% of pregnant women in 3rd trimester) and newborns. For newborns, the rectus abdominis may not be sealed at the midline. For pregnant or postpartum women the separation is caused by the pressure of the growing uterus in conjunction with pregnancy hormones that soften the connective tissue of the linea alba.
Diastasis recti can occur anytime in the last half of pregnancy but is most commonly seen after pregnancy when the abdominal wall is lax and the thinner midline tissue no longer provides adequate support for the torso and internal organs.
DRA often lessens in the months after childbirth. However, some degree of damage / strain might remain up to a year after childbirth and beyond.
- 35+ in age
- Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.)
- High birth weight baby
- Repeated pregnancies
Prenatal – how can we prevent Diastasis?
- Avoid exercises that concentrically engage the superficial abdominal muscles such as crunches and sit-ups
- Emphasis on facilitating optimal co-activation of the deep inner unit in a synergistic manner (pelvic floor, diaphragm, transversus abdominis and multifidus)
- Promoting effective, tension free diaphragmatic breathing – more rib cage breath, less abdominal breathing that will be extending the abdomen more
- Modify postures that are creating excessive intra-abdominal pressure (example: plank pose)
- Watch for breath holding
- Watch for invagination or doming at the linea alba
Intrapartum (during childbirth) considerations
- Continuous breath – no Valsalva breath (ensure glottis is open)
- Avoiding a back lying position when possible
Prenatal yoga teachers are the ones who can advocate, inform and empower those who are susceptible to diastasis or other pelvic health issues.
Postpartum (4th trimester) – “critical healing period”
- Promote exercises that engage abdominal muscles without concentrically engagement (crunch, flexion) – example of zipper hoodie in a crunch – imagine a small split in the zipper first
- Everybody is unique and so each person needs something different – some might be able to get back to certain poses in weeks postpartum, while others may need to find other options
- Watch for doming or invagination at linea alba during movement / yoga poses
- Aim for optimal load transfer at linea alba
When can we do front-loaded poses (bird dog, plank)?
Wait until the linea alba can maintain tension, the breath is tension-free and continuous and there isn’t any doming or invagination at the linea alba.
Autonomic nervous system tension affects the tissues of the body. Yin, restorative or gentle yoga to help our connective tissue, so it is a great addition for those with DRA.
“We cannot train tight tissue.” ~ Dr. Sinead Dufour
Do I Have Diastasis?
According to a 2017 Delphi study, Diastasis has nothing to do with the inter-recti distance (the width between the rectus abdominis muscles).
It is more about:
- The behaviour and the ability of the linea alba tissue to generate tension
- The intra-abdominal pressure or manometric pressure system (pressure system modulated by the core four)
- The quality of the linea alba tissue (palpate and see if it changes in texture – The linea alba runs from the xiphoid process (base of sternum) to the symphysis pubis (center of pelvic bone))
Now that the Delphi study was done, 22 experts have asked that we now let go of the inter-recti distance that used to be the test for DRA.
Self-Assessment for Diastasis Recti (DRA)
It is best to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist (physical therapist in the US) if you think you may have DRA. Here is a quick at-home test, but you really need an expert to diagnose you and to give you tools to help if you do have DRA.
- Lie on your back, with your feet on the floor bend your knees.
- With a relaxed abdomen place fingers up near the xiphoid process (where the ribs meet)
- Push down gently and see what the linea alba tissue feels like.
- Continue down towards the pubic bone and notice what the difference in the tissue is.
- Roll your upper body off the floor into a very slight “crunch,” and see how that changes the tissue along the linea alba line. Watch for the doming or invagination at the linea alba. If this is happening, leave out the tiny crunch.
- Now, what is it like if you engage pf and/or TvA?
NOTE:
If at any time you see a round, hard, or painful bulge protruding from your belly button area, or along your mid line, consult with your healthcare provider.
Thank you for sharing. I had a hernia that would occasionally pop through because of my Diastasis recti. My baby was 2 and the only episodes were getting frequent and scary. Doctors didn’t seem to know what I was talking about when I described it. It sounded like a hernia, but it wasn’t showing when they looked and they couldnt confirm. The surgeon couldn’t see it on a scan since it wasn’t popping out at the moment. He said I had diastasis recti, but had no advice on what to do about it since it wasn’t bad enough for surgery. I finally found a PT that specialized in women’s postpartum issues and finally found someone who know what I was going through and could help me try and reduce the diastasis recti. I have greatly reduced the episodes of having the hernia pop out by doing the exercises they recommend. I’m happy to see a site that talks about this issue, in case someone else out there feels frustrated, misunderstood, and scared when their body is doing weird things.
Hi, I too have diastasis recti. And I didn’t find any physician who could guide me with this. Could you please share your exercise routine?
Thanks a bunch
Hi Jyothsna,
Thanks for your comment. The first thing to do if you have Diastasis Recti is to get a referral to or book an appointment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist or physical therapist (they have different names in different countries). Then you can get a diagnosis and treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Next, I would encourage you to have a listen to this podcast episode with Dr. Sinead Dufour — http://www.theconnectedyogateacher.com/33 — there is a lot of new research on this topic.
At MamaNurture we are looking at sharing a yoga flow for those who are pregnant and dealing with DR. Keep watching our site. Also, it is best to work 1:1 or in a group class with and RPYT (Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher) who has knowledge about DR. Once you have a pelvic floor physio and a yoga teacher who know your specific needs — you will have a customized practice.
A year late but still will be helpful- check out Every Mother workouts/app
Nice to hear. . Can you please share the routine you followed to reduce the popping …
When is it safe to return to the exercises that we must avoid on this list? I would like to return to ashtanga yoga and handstand practice in the future . My baby is only 4 weeks old at the moment though.
Hi Louise. We have updated this article since the new Delphi study in 2017 was released. If you have time, have a listen to that — it is full of such great information. Personally I wish that I would have known about pelvic floor physiotherapy much sooner. I was 9 years postpartum when my diastasis was diagnosed. I had a lot of low back pain and didn’t realize that it was so connected.
I can’t recommend this program enough https://restoreyourcore.com/ it’s diastasis recti and pelvic organ prolapse safe.
Hi Shona,
Thanks so much for connecting us with Lauren and for this link to her program.