Ask the Expert: Diastasis Recti (Abs separation)
Did you know Diastasis Recti (Abs separation) is common amongst pregnant or postpartum women 😱 There are ways to prevent and treat it without the use of medication or hormone therapy. Thus, to answer your questions we have Cheryl Han - Director and Principal Consultant from Orchard Clinic, where she'll be answering all your questions on this condition 👩🏻💻 So leave your questions in the comment section below before our session! 🧐
I ate more before i delivered. I able to control my diet when im pregnant Im 6 months Pp. But i always feel hungry after pumping ( i do know that calories burnt) but to the extend i ate double or triple after pumping session. Now people thought im having a 2nd bb. How to lost that belly weight ?
Hi Doc, Are there any actions that may worsen Diastasis Recti? / Are there any activities that I should avoid to stop my DR from worsening?
Hi Anini, that's a great question as many mummies aren't aware that certain activities/actions may worsen Diastasis Recti. Basically, the abdominal area should not be overly stretched, contracted or twisted as these are actions that would compromise the already weakened connective tissue. So avoid doing exercises like abdominal crunches or sit-ups for example.
What are the treatment options for Diastasis Recti? How does the non-surgical treatment for Diastasis Recti work? Thanks!!
You can find out more here: https://www.orchardclinic.com/treatments/electromagnetic-therapy/
What about bulging tummy due to DR. Do actually the gap can close with services provided in orchard clinic?
H there, yes we have seen very good results with 95% of mummies seeing gap closure after treatment. Diastasis Recti is also often accompanied with bulging/saggy skin so we would combine skin tightening treatment to address the bulging tummy/skin laxity.
What can i do to get back to normal after delivery and also how long will it take?
Hi Diana, you can seek treatment by doing the right exercises (guided by an expert in Diastasis Recti) or visit us for a consultation. The treatment period depends on the severity of the condition and on the individual, so we can't say for sure. But we always tell mummies to treat it earlier before it gets worse or before their next pregnancy
Can I do anything to prevent it prior to pregnancy or during pregnancy?
Hi Zoey, great question as we always advise that prevention is better than cure! Strengthening the core & pelvic floor muscles before pregnancy or during the early stages of pregnancy is helpful. Also try to avoid constipation, straining, coughing as these increase the intra-abdominal pressure
If one suffers from Diastasis Recti post pregnancy , how to treat it ?
Hi Anu, treatment could be through surgery (e.g. tummy tuck) or non-surgical treatments with medical technology. Our treatment uses USA FDA approved medical devices to stimulate muscle recovery, rehabilitation and growth. This is done through high intensity electromagnetic field to rebuild muscles. You can find out more here: https://www.orchardclinic.com/diastasis-recti/
Are there some at home exercise we can do to prevent diastasis recti?
Hi Chervy, yes indeed there are, however we would caution that certain exercises could worsen Diastasis Recti, so it is best to perform these exercises carefully with a guided professional trained in this area. As part of our treatment, we would advise the right exercises to do at home
What are some symptoms we should look out for abs separation?
Hi there, the most visible symptom would be a depression or gap in the middle of the abdomen. Other common symptoms include: lower back pain, urinary incontinence, weak pelvic floor muscles, hernia, a bulging tummy, saggy skin
Can it eventually go back to normal without treatment?
In some cases, this is possible! We usually advise mummies to wait for some time postpartum first before coming in for treatment.
Principal Consultant at Orchard Clinic, a specialised centre for postpartum recovery