Does your belly still look big after having a baby? This could be due to a separation of the abdominal muscles (Diastasis Recti)!

Does your belly still feel like it's sticking out after giving birth ? Some people call it "mommy pooch" or "mommy tummy." You may be frustrated that you haven't been able to lose that belly fat despite dieting and exercising. Most of the time, it's not just belly fat that you think. There may be a medical reason for it. That's what we're talking about today. It's a condition called "Diastasis Recti."

Simply put, what is this separation of the abdominal muscles (Diastasis Recti)?

It's very simple. You have two large muscles that run from the front of your stomach, from top to bottom, in the middle. We call these the `rectus abdominis` muscles. That's what we call six-pack abs. Usually these two muscles are connected by a piece of connective tissue in the middle.

Think about it, as your belly grows during pregnancy, as the baby in your womb grows, your uterus expands. This pressure stretches the tissue in the middle, and the two muscles move apart. It's like a zipper opening in the middle. That gap between those two muscles is what we call `Diastasis Recti`.

This condition can occur not only in pregnant women, but also in newborn babies. But it usually goes away on its own with time. Also, this condition can occur in men who lift weights incorrectly and do exercises like sit-ups incorrectly.

Who is most at risk for this condition?

Although anyone can develop this condition during pregnancy, some people are at a slightly higher risk.

• If you have had several children before: This risk is higher, especially if the age gap between the children is small.
• If you get pregnant after the age of 35.
• If you are expecting a large baby or twins or triplets.
• If your abdominal muscles are weak even before pregnancy.

What are the possible effects of muscle atrophy?

In addition to making the stomach appear protruding, the separation of these muscles can cause several other minor problems. This is because these muscles provide great support to our spine and internal organs. When these muscles separate, that support is reduced.

• Back pain: Pain may occur, especially in the lower back.
• Constipation : Constipation can occur due to difficulty in passing stool.
• Leakage of urine: You may lose a small amount of urine uncontrollably when you cough, sneeze, laugh loudly, or lift something heavy.
• Difficulty breathing and moving: Some people may find it difficult to breathe normally and move their bodies.
• Hernia : This is very rare. But if the gap between the muscles gets too big, an internal organ (like the intestines) can protrude through the gap. This is called a hernia.

This gap often shrinks and narrows after childbirth, but some studies have shown that in some women, this muscle has not returned to normal even after a year.

What should we do about this? Do's and don'ts!

It's important to manage this condition. Especially if you're expecting another baby, it's essential to get these muscles back together before then. Let's take a look at what to do and what not to do.

What's the best?

The best thing to do is to do exercises that strengthen your abdominal muscles before you get pregnant. This will greatly reduce the risk of developing Diastasis Recti during pregnancy.

What are the treatments for this?

If you suspect you have this condition, the first thing to do is see your doctor . He or she can examine your abdomen and measure how large the gap is between the muscles. This can be done with your fingers, a tape measure, or an ultrasound scan.

1. Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is often the best treatment for this. Your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist who specializes in this. They will teach you proper posture, breathing techniques, and specific exercises to strengthen your deep abdominal muscles.

2. Surgery: If exercise and physical therapy do not help, and the gap is very large, surgery may be considered as a last resort. This surgery is called an `Abdominoplasty` or `tummy tuck`. In this surgery, the surgeon stitches the torn muscles back together. Sometimes, a `Laparoscopy` surgery can be performed without a large incision, through a few small holes. However, as with any surgery, it is important to remember that there are risks involved.