Does pregnancy increase your risk of abdominal separation?
Before the joy and excitement of bringing a baby into the world, you may experience some discomfort during your pregnancy, including abdominal wall separation.
Also known as diastasis recti or rectus abdominis diastasis, abdominal separation occurs when the abdominal wall muscles become spaced apart. While this condition is common in newborns, it’s also extremely common in pregnant people because of the increased tension on the abdominal wall.
“Abdominal separation can be hereditary but often appears during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester,” says Dr. Rachel Harrison, an OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine physician at Advocate Health Care. “Pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on the abdomen and that can cause the muscles in front to lose their shape. It’s not a true hernia, but it can appear as though the abdomen has a bulge.”
This condition can occur during and after pregnancy because the uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen to accommodate the growing baby. The National Institute of Health found that up to 60% of people may experience abdominal separation while pregnant or in postpartum.
“You are at a higher risk for abdominal separation if you have given birth before, are pregnant at an advanced age, carrying extra weight or giving birth to multiples,” says Dr. Harrison. “This is because the abdominal muscles have already been stretched and are experiencing more strain due to pregnancy.”
Signs of abdominal separation
- Pooch or bulge in your stomach in the midline that increases with muscle straining
- A ridge running down the middle of the belly area, especially in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Extra skin and soft tissue in front of the abdominal wall during early pregnancy
- Lower back pain
- Poor posture
- Constipation
- Bloating
Treatment for abdominal separation
If you see separation, your health care provider can recommend exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles as well as refer you to physical therapy. Most often, that will help the abdominal separation heal, but if it doesn’t, you and your doctor can explore surgical options.
“If you think you have this common condition, avoid heavy lifting and make sure to practice good posture, perform abdominal strengthening exercises and support your lower back when you’re sitting to help the healing process,” Dr. Harrison says.
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About the Author
health enews contributor, is on the digital content team at Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care. They received their bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and French from Ohio Wesleyan University. Outside of work, they are a writer and comedian and can be found in the mountains during their free time.
