Definition av Diastasis Recti

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WHAT IS A DIASTASIS?

DEFINITION OF DIASTASIS RECTI

The word diastasis means separation. So a diastasis recti is a separation of the rectus abdominis or the outermost abdominal muscles. When the muscles separate, the connective tissue that joins them, stretches sideways. The more it stretches sideways the thinner and weaker it becomes.

CAUSE OF A DIASTASIS

Everyone is born with their muscles separated. Whether it closes depends on the amount of force or pressure on the connective tissue that joins the outermost abdominal muscles.  If the muscles close, they are always at risk for separating again when there is continuous force on the connective tissue. Force can be caused by:

1. Weight gain in the abdominal area
2. Growing uterus during pregnancy
3. Doing abdominal and weight lifting exercises incorrectly

A diastasis can also be a cause of lower back pain and poor posture. Surprisingly, sit ups and most other abdominal exercises only make a Diastasis worse.

RISKS OF A DIASTASIS

The function of the outermost abdominal muscles are to support your back and your organs. When the abdominal muscles separate, this support system is weakened causing low back pain and the "mummy tummy " or “guy gut.” The mummy tummy or guy gut is actually your internal organs falling forward against the connective tissue, (called Linea Alba), causing the abdomen to protrude. The internal organs are protruding because they are now being supported by a thin (Glad Wrap-like) piece of connective tissue instead of your abdominal muscles if they were together. This is often the reason why, in successive pregnancies, that women pop out and show quickly.  

If there is trauma to the abdominal area and the connective tissue is torn away from the muscle, your organs will come through and a ventral hernia can develop. Surgery will be required. A large diastasis on a pregnant woman will cause the uterus to tilt forward putting the cervix out of alignment. This will make pushing the baby out vaginally much more difficult.  

DIASTASIS & PREGNANCY

Most women develop diastasis recti during pregnancy. A diastasis will have an impact on your overall core strength including your pelvic floor, on the effectiveness of your pushing, on how fast your abdominals recover from a caesarean, on how your tummy looks after baby is born and on how much back pain you experience during your pregnancy.

The two halves of your recti muscle are joined together at the linea alba, a string of connective tissue. During pregnancy, as the uterus grows, that muscle lengthens and causes the two halves to separate. As the muscle separates, the connective tissue stretches sideways making it thinner and weaker. Now, instead of muscle, you have weak connective tissue supporting your lower back and your organs. No support for the lower back translates into more back pain and no support for your organs means more difficult pushing during labor.

With diastasis recti your growing uterus is held in place by a separated recti muscle and stretched out connective tissue. Pushing the baby out is very difficult to do with a separated muscle. The uterus will tilt forward as the connective tissue cannot hold it in place properly. When it tilts forward the cervix moves out of alignment with the vaginal canal creating a detour in the baby‘s passage through the birth canal. 

A sure sign of a diastasis during pregnancy is:

*belly button becomes an outie;

*belly cones when you crunch up or strain your belly in any other way

BENEFITS OF CLOSING A DIASTASIS

Closing a diastasis will give you:  

• a flatter and more toned tummy; 
• a smaller waist;
• a stronger core;
• strong muscular protection and support for your internal organs;
• improved pelvic floor strength; 
• strong muscular support for your back and spine; & 
• can help relieve any back problems you are experiencing.
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