This event can occur in the weeks following childbirth as a consequence of the modifications in the woman’s body during pregnancy. Generally it resolves spontaneously within eight weeks from the birth of the child, but in some cases it can extend and request a medical evaluation
By post-child abdominal diastasis we mean the excessive separation of the central rectus-abdominal muscles, following the changes that take place during the pregnancy. In the weeks that follow the birth, this space is gradually reducing itself. Sometimes, however, abdominal diastasis after childbirth remains It needs a treatment, which can be rehabilitative or surgical.
What is abdominal diastasis?
The right muscle of the abdomen extends longitudinally from sternum to pubis. It is made up of two contiguous bands which, physiologically during pregnancy, separate to make room for the fetus, especially between the second and third quarter. This phenomenon is called abdominal diastasis or diastasis of the right muscle of the abdomen. There is talk of abdominal diastasis when the distance between the straight muscles of the abdomen is greater than 2 cm. Visually it looks like a sort of infossible ridge along the belly – from top to bottom, from the sternum to the navel to end up in the center of the pubis – which is observed more in the event of the contraction of the musculature of the abdomen.
How long does abdominal diastasis last? Pregnancy determines a physiological diastase that is felt even after childbirth and which generally resolves spontaneously within eight weeks of the birth of the child. In some cases, abdominal diastasis after childbirth is manifested for a longer duration of time and in these cases a medical clinical evaluation is needed.
How to understand if you have abdominal diastasis after childbirth?
Post -delivery abdominal diastasis has certain characteristics. It is felt to the touch in the first weeks after the birth of the child, as the two bands are still far from each other, but a clinical visit is necessary to evaluate it correctly.
A sign of this condition is the evident abdominal swelling especially during physical efforts.
Others Symptoms of post -birth abdominal diastasis very common I am:
- Abdominal pain.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Back or pelvis pains.
- Digestive difficulties.
It should be specified that the four listed are “nonspecific” symptoms, that is, they can be related to other conditions.
Sometimes abdominal diastasis is also associated with an umbilical hernia.
In the presence of one or more of these symptoms after childbirth, you need to contact a specialist for an accurate evaluation.
Can abdominal diastasis be prevented after childbirth?
When we talk about abdominal diastasis after childbirth, what does prevention consist of? For prevent abdominal diastase Some rehabilitation exercises can be done a few weeks after birth (pregnancy specialists can indicate the most correct ones to be carried out). It is important not to start early in order not to worsen the characteristics of the abdominal diastasis, and avoid do -it -yourself.
Obesity and muscle laxity represent risk factors for the development of abdominal diastasis. For this reason, the activity will be focused on the functioning of the abdominal musculature, on the aerobic activity in order to encourage the loss of fat mass and the role of the perineum in the presence of an increase in abdominal pressure (the perineum plays a fundamental role in the containment of the abdominal organs and in the containment of urine, feces and gas).
How does abdominal diastasis resolve after childbirth? In the milder cases of rects diastasis, a rehabilitation treatment will be recommended that provides postural exercises, reinforcement of the abdominal musculature and the pelvic floor muscles (we talk about it in this article, in which we also deal with the theme of the use of post -door clipper). Surgical treatment is indicated in the most evident cases, in the presence of symptoms or associated abdominal hernia.
