All you postpartum mamas out there should give this a little read….and if you have carried a baby in your belly….then you are a postpartum mama!! It doesn't matter if you are 8 weeks postpartum or 80 years postpartum, you are postpartum and can still help your abdominal separation and help to reconnect your core. However, don't get fixated on the ‘gap’ in the abdominal wall. Instead try to focus on the connection between your breath and the linea alba (your connective tissue which hold the two muscles together).
One of the most common complaints in women after they have had a baby is ‘I still look pregnant’ or ‘I want my belly back to how it was before’. The most likely cause for this is a condition called diastasis recti, This is when the two rectus abdominis muscles separate during pregnancy and the connective tissue (the linea alba) stretches to make space for the baby! amazing right?? However, if it does not heal on its own….it will need a little extra help. There are studies showing that 100% of women will get this separation and 52.4% will still have one present at 6-8 weeks postpartum (Mota et al 2014)
But I need you to look past the gap and the mummy tummy for a moment and realize what the separation can really be doing to your body. First and foremost it is detrimental to the health of your core/how it functions. Without a good core connection your body is going to begin to suffer. But AGAIN don't worry if you can’t close the gap, lefts work on getting your core to work properly (that will be another post) :)
So how do I know if I have Diastasis Recti??
Watch this video to see a full demonstration of how to check for Diastasis Recti OR follow the steps below. If you have any Questions just shoot me a message and I will gladly help you out. If you don’t feel comfortable checking yourself contact a professional like me or a physiotherapist.
How to check for Diastasis Recti.