What Exactly is Diastasis Recti?

In this condition, the postpartum abdominal muscles separate significantly.

by Jenna Phipps
Dec 29, 2018

After giving birth to her third child, Sarah Tar noticed that her regular workouts weren't affecting her stomach. Even her core exercises did not reshape her abdominal muscles. She also noticed pelvic and back pain, which further convinced her that something was wrong (TODAY).

Tar researched her symptoms online and discovered diastasis recti. This condition separates the abdominal muscles, which then heal much more slowly than in women who don't have the condition. Tar discusses her experience with diastasis recti in her interview with TODAY.

Dec 11, 2018

Diastasis Recti: A Common Condition in Pregnancy

by Jenna Phipps

The abdominal muscles separate, weakening the stomach.

Diastasis Recti: A Common Condition in Pregnancy

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Physical therapist Marianne Ryan explains that if women feel two fingers' worth of space between the separated abs, they probably need to be rehabilitated. Instead of intense core workouts, rehabilitating after diastasis recti means engaging in proper posture and breathing exercises. Hard abdominal workouts can actually exacerbate the problem.

It can be hard to diagnose diastasis recti just weeks after birth, because most women are still healing. When more time has passed, and the stomach is still not returning to normal, it's easier to identify. Most people were unaware of diastasis recti in previous years, even OB-GYNs; but now, fortunately, more people know about the condition.

Sarah Tar insists that you can find help for diastasis recti, if you just ask the right questions (TODAY). Click here for the full article.

Jenna Phipps

Jenna Phipps is a writer, editor, and dancer based in Nashville, Tennessee. She enjoys working with other people to improve their writing, taking long road trips, experimenting with choreography, and reading many novels.