Checking for Diastasis
After delivery, the abdominal muscles are always loose and soft. The abdomen looks and feels like gelatin, which can be quite a shock. It is important to check the linea alba between the rectus muscles for separation, called diastasis. The opening between the muscles may be slight or so large that the uterus or abdominal contents can be felt bulging through the opening.
Since there must be a good balance between back and abdominal muscles, a large diastasis will eventually cause backaches [and possibly radiating leg pain] jut from moving through the normal day’s activities of caring for an infant or managing a full-time job at or away from home. If no corrective attempts are made to close the opening, reestablishing muscle balance and strength, there will be little support for a subsequent pregnancy. Posture will be poor and many aches and pains will develop, all from lack of abdominal strength.
Check for diastasis on the third or fourth day after delivery. Until this time the area will feel too slack for you to get an indication of the state of the abdominals. Also, you will have had a few days worth of abdominal exercises to help improve your strength.
To check:
- Lie on your back, with your bent. Place the fingers of one hand on your abdomen covering your navel [your fingers should point toward your pubic bone]. Apply firm pressure…
- Inhale deeply. Then exhale slowly and at the same time lift your head and neck slowly. As you lift, you’ll feel each of the rectus muscles tighten and pull toward the center [toward your fingers].
- Check to see how many fingers will fit in the gap. One or two finger widths are normal and to be expected, this will gradually decrease with exercise. Three or four finger widths will require special attention from you to repair and rebalance the muscles.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help from a nurse [preferably a registered nurse] or your physician if you have difficulty checking your abdominals.