Every person will have some degree of DR in the immediate aftermath of delivery. Specialists recommend waiting until you are at least six weeks postpartum to assess the divarication of your recti.
Here is a five-step procedure on how you can check if your postpartum belly has diastasis recti.
#1 Lay On Your Back
To avoid "crunching," roll to your side first, then place your feet level on the ground with one hand behind your head and the other just below your chest with your fingers towards your head.
#2 Assess While at Rest
Run your fingertips along your midline till about two inches below your navel. Discern if your stomach feels springy or smooth and deep with no resistance. This step is to discern how the tissue will feel during the following stage, which involves a head lift.
#3 Exhale with a Head Lift
Take a deep breath and elevate your head barely an inch above the ground on the exhale. Elevate your head as you exhale to check the width and depth of your midline as you walk your fingers down. The lack of bounciness can mean some degree of divarication in your recti.
#4 Compare Results
It is a positive indication if you feel increased stiffness or tension in your linea alba following a head lift. A symptom of damaged tissue is not much resistance in your stomach, and it might signal an over-rehearsing issue.
#5 Get Up By Rolling On Your Side
Return to a sitting posture safely by rolling to the side. It lets you avoid crunching. Immediately seek professional help if you get unfavourable results. Your physiotherapist can also suggest diastasis recti exercises that can help you strengthen your muscles.
Orchard Clinic is a postpartum and postnatal care clinic in Singapore. They offer a one-of-a-kind combination of cutting-edge therapy and high-quality conservative remedies.
Orchard Clinic is a specialised treatment centre that analyses and cures abdominal separation and urinary incontinence for postpartum women in Singapore. Contact them to book your consultation.
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