Do you still look pregnant even months after childbirth delivery? If yes, chances are you have an abdominal condition called diastasis recti. It is a common postpartum condition that makes your belly bulge. If you have it and want to learn more about it, keep on reading.
What Is Diastasis Recti?
As mentioned above, it is the abdominal condition that makes your postpartum belly stand out. It usually appears between your left and right muscles.
This condition is not limited to pregnancy. Others can have it, too, such as babies and men. Also, some doctors prefer calling it “stomach pooch” since it looks so round and firm.
How Does It Develop?
Excessive expanding of the uterus and inner-abdominal pressure can cause diastasis recti from happening, causing recti muscles to separate. You will know you have one if your pelvic and lower back keeps aching.
Sometimes, it happens to babies, especially premature ones. It is because their abdominal muscles are not well developed and connected.
Self-Check: How to Identify Diastasis Recti?
It is easy to do a self-check for diastasis recti. All you have to do is lay down as your knees bent on the floor. While doing that, you may raise your shoulders a bit and use your one hand to support your head.
Use your other hand and place it between your navel. Press it down gently. Once done and you feel a gap, you have a diastasis recti.
For an accurate diagnosis, feel free to get a diastasis recti checkup in Singapore. Either your doctor or physical therapists can do the evaluation.
Things to Avoid
Like most conditional, there are ways of preventing your diastasis recti from worsening. Make sure to follow these things until your abdomen healed.
Carrying and lifting heavy items.
Participating in strenuous exercises.
Coughing and sneezing without abdominal support
Holding your baby in one hip
Want to get rid of your postpartum belly right away? Get abdominal physical therapy. You can get one at Orchard Clinic. They specialise in treating and relieving diastasis recti! Visit their website today, and find out how their services work!