How do I fix Abdominal Separation?

Let’s talk about Abdominal Separation

During pregnancy, it’s completely normal for the tissues that run down the middle of your abdominal muscles (your “six-pack” muscles) to stretch to make room for your growing baby.

This is called diastasis recti - and most women experience it to some degree by their third trimester. It is a completely normal part of pregnancy

After birth, your body begins to heal, but sometimes that distance remains wider than the considered ‘normal’ or the tissue continues to feel lax or may feel weak. You might notice:

• A doming or bulging down the midline when you sit up

• A feeling of core weakness

• Changes to the appearance of your abdominal wall

Here’s the good news:

With the right exercises and support, we can get great changes through the abdominal wall. Physiotherapy can help by assessing your abdominal wall and provide strategies to:

• Reconnect with your deep core and pelvic floor

• Improve tension through the connective tissue

• Build strength for daily life and exercise

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. We can assess abdominal separation from as early as 3 weeks postnatal and begin exercises. If you have recently had a baby, book a postnatal assessment to check your abdominal wall (and more!)

Book an appointment to have your abdominal wall assessed