Motherhood is an incredible journey filled with many surprises – some wonderful, some not. For some mothers, diastasis recti is one of the unfortunate side effects. Diastasis recti, or DRA, is when the bands of muscles in the middle of the abdomen separate as a result of the expanding uterus. Pregnant mothers won’t notice this bulge or pooch until after they give birth. Then, as their belly is supposed to heal and shrink down, they notice that they still look 4 or 5 months pregnant.
Let’s talk more about the risk factors for diastasis recti and what you can do if you have the condition.
What are the Risk Factors for DRA?
According to WebMD, nearly two-thirds of pregnant women have diastasis recti. It’s common (even men can get it!), but there are certain factors that can put you more at risk. These include:
- Having more than one child
- Having children close in age
- Pregnancy at 35 or older
- Carrying a heavy baby
- Carrying twins or triplets
Could You Have Diastasis Recti?
There are different variations of diastasis recti, though the norm is a gap of 2.7 centimeters or greater between the rectus abdominis muscle. To determine if you have DRA, lie on your back with your knees bent. Press your fingers into your navel area and lift up your head, bringing it to your chest. This allows your abdominal muscles to relax. If the gap is two or more fingers wide, you have a diastasis. Of course, always consult your doctor for a final diagnosis.
Considering Surgery
If you suffer from diastasis recti, schedule a consultation with Berlet Plastic Surgery to learn about the options that are available to you. Luckily, DRA can be corrected through a tummy tuck procedure, which is common in young women, particularly mothers. The tummy tuck will correct the diastasis by folding and sewing back the weak areas in the stomach. Not only will you correct the condition this way, but also have a flat stomach that you can feel good about!