Diastasis of Recti Abdominis Muscle (DRAM)

Most people don’t notice signs of diastasis recti until they are postpartum. You can have diastasis recti during pregnancy, but it’s hard to distinguish because your abdomen is stretched. Common signs of diastasis recti during the postpartum period are:

• A visible bulge or “pooch” that protrudes just above or below the belly button.
• Softness or jelly-like feeling around your belly button.
• Coning or doming when you contract your ab muscles.
• Difficulty lifting objects, walking or performing everyday tasks.
• Pain during sex.
• Pelvic or hip pain.
• Low back pain.
• Poor posture.
• Urine leaking when you sneeze or cough.
• Constipation.
• Feeling weak in your abdominals.

Diastasis recti is not painful. You may feel pain associated with some of the side effects of diastasis, but the ab separation itself doesn’t hurt. You may feel weakness in your core when doing once easy tasks, like lifting a laundry basket. Some people feel a jelly-like texture in the space between the left and right abdominals when contracting the ab muscles.

There are some common signs that can signal you have diastasis recti. One of the most common signs of diastasis recti is a bulge in your midsection that doesn’t go away, even after exercising or losing weight gained during pregnancy. Another sign is that your belly cones or domes when you lean back on a chair or get up out of bed. You can check for diastasis recti on your own, but it is always a good idea to speak with a health care professional about your symptoms.

Yes. It is possible to fix diastasis recti without surgery. Surgery is rarely performed. Many healthcare providers will recommend physical therapy or at-home exercise to help as a first line treatment. However, before starting an exercise programme, be sure to work with physical therapy who has experience with this condition as certain movement may make abdominal separation worse. Tone is a safe and effective treatment that provide alternative solution for those who did not gain improvement with traditional approach.

If left untreated or in severe cases of diastasis recti, complications can include:

• Umbilical hernia.
• Increase in back pain.
• Pain during sex.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Pelvic and hip pain.

You can test yourself for diastasis recti:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
• Lift your shoulders slightly off the ground, keeping one hand behind your head for support. Almost like you are doing a sit-up. Look down at your belly.
• Move your other hand above your belly button area, palms down and fingers towards your toes.
• Use your fingers to feel for a gap between the abs. See how many fingers can fit in the gap between your right and left abdominals.

If you feel a gap of two or more finger widths, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. They should confirm diastasis recti with a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate care.

Diastasis recti is a common and easily treated condition. If you have more than a two-finger gap between your abdominals or are experiencing pain, contact your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.