One common issue post-pregnancy, that is often not discussed, is tummy muscle separation or diastasis recti. This is where your rectus abdominus muscles (six-pack muscles) separate during pregnancy after being stretched. The separation can make your belly stick out or bulge months or years after your last baby. It’s not painful, but you may feel weakness in your core when doing simple tasks, like lifting your baby. Some people feel a jelly-like texture in the middle of their tummy when contracting their abdominal muscles.
Common Causes
Tummy muscle separation is typically caused by pregnancy, but can also be caused by excessive abdominal pressure, incorrect posture, or rapid weight gain. It’s a very common condition with around 6 in 10 women experiencing tummy muscle separation following pregnancy.
What can I do about my tummy muscle separation?
Many women can do gentle exercises to strengthen the rectus abdomens muscle and assist in allowing the muscle return to its normal position. This is more effective in cases where the degree on muscle separation is relatively minor.
If your tummy muscle separation is quite significant you may like to consider diastasis recti surgery. Diastasis recti surgery is a surgical procedure to repair the separation of the rectus abdominus (“six-pack”) muscles. It involves stitching the separated muscles back together, which helps to reduce the appearance of a “pooch” or bulge in the abdomen. It can also help to improve core strength and posture.
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I’ve already been assessed for my tummy muscle separation
If you’ve already discussed your tummy muscle separation with a cosmetic surgery consultant, you may have filled in an assessment form from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. See Example.
If you have previously completed an assessment form for your condition, please do bring a copy to your initial consultation.
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