Abdominal Diastasis: What it is and How to Eliminate 'Mommy Belly' Safely 2024

For many women, motherhood brings with it a number of physical and emotional changes. One of the most common and least discussed problems is the abdominal diastasiswhich affects approximately 60% of women after childbirth. This term refers to the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, resulting in what many refer to as the "abdominal abdominal abduction. "mommy's tummy". If you have noticed that months after giving birth you still have that bulge in your belly, you may have diastasis.

What is Abdominal Diastasis?

The abdominal diastasis occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles separate due to the pressure that pregnancy puts on the abdominal wall. This separation not only causes an aesthetic change, but can also be accompanied by a number of other problems. bothersome symptomssuch as:

• Urinary incontinence
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Low back pain
• Bad posture
• Difficulty in performing everyday movements such as bending over.
• Constipation

These symptoms, which many women normalize after childbirth, can significantly affect quality of life, both physically and emotionally.

How to Detect if You Have Abdominal Diastasis

You can make a self-diagnosis easily from home. Follow these steps:

1. Lie on your back on a firm surface.
2. Slightly raise your legs and torso, as if you were going to do a sit-up.
3. See if the "mommy belly" sticks out.
4. Place your fingers just above and below the navel, pressing gently.

If you feel your toes digging into the space between the muscles, it is likely that you have diastasis. It is important to confirm this diagnosis with a health care professional, preferably a abdominal wall surgeon.

Abdominal Diastasis Treatments

Hypopressive Exercises: The Natural Solution

One of the most effective treatments for correcting diastasis is through the use of hypopressive exercises. This technique combines breathing and postural exercises that help strengthen the pelvic floor and close the separation of the abdominal muscles.

• Benefits of hypopressive exercises:
  • Improve posture.
  • They reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence.
  • They help to recover the tone of the abdomen.

It is recommended that a professional, such as a pelvic floor physiotherapistI will show you how to do them correctly. Although it is ideal to start doing these exercises in the first few months postpartum, they are also effective if you start years later.

Abdominal Wall Surgery: When to Consider It

In some cases, exercises are not sufficient to close the diastasis, especially if the separation is significant or if there is excess skin. In these situations, the solution may be a abdominal wall surgery. This procedure, similar to a tummy tuck, not only corrects the separation of the muscles, but can also treat other related problems, such as the umbilical hernia.

During surgery, an incision is made to repair the muscles, remove excess skin and flatten the abdomen. It is important to consult with a specialized surgeon to evaluate if this procedure is right for you.

When to Seek Medical Help

If in addition to abdominal separation you experience urinary incontinenceit is crucial that you visit a functional urologist. This symptom is one of the most uncomfortable and should not be ignored. Many women are slow to seek help, but it is essential to address it to improve your quality of life.

Conclusion: Seek the Right Diagnosis and Regain Your Wellness

It is important to educate yourself about the abdominal diastasis and seek the help of appropriate specialists to receive an accurate diagnosis. By knowing the cause of your symptoms and treating them in time, you can improve not only your physical health, but also your self-esteem.

By eliminating the "mommy belly" and regaining your well-being, you will experience a before and after in your life as a mother.

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