Diastasis recti abdominis during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth: prevalence, risk factors and report of lumbopelvic pain

Abstract

Background/aimDiastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is defined as a separation of the 2 muscle bellies of rectus abdominis. To date there is scant knowledge on prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of the condition. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of DRA during pregnancy and post partum, presence of possible risk factors, and the occurrence of lumbopelvic pain among women with and without DRA.MethodsThis prospective cohort study followed 300 first-time pregnant women from pregnancy till 12 months post partum. Data were collected by electronic questionnaire and clinical examinations. DRA was defined as a palpated separation of ≥2 fingerbreadths either 4.5 cm above, at or 4.5 cm below the umbilicus. Women with and without DRA were compared with independent samples Student's t-test and χ2/Fisher exact test, and OR with significance level >0.05.ResultsPrevalence of DRA was 33.1%, 60.0%, 45.4%, and 32.6% at gestation week 21, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post partum, respectively. No difference in risk factors was found when comparing women with and without DRA. OR showed a greater likelihood for DRA among women reporting heavy lifting ≥20 times weekly (OR 2.18 95% CI 1.05 to 4.52). There was no difference in reported lumbopelvic pain (p=0.10) in women with and without DRA.ConclusionsPrevalence of mild DRA was high both during pregnancy and after childbirth. Women with and without DRA reported the same amount of lumbopelvic pain 12 months post partum.

Diastasis recti abdominis — a review of treatment methods

“…The size of IRD decreased from 64.6 mm (SD 19.00) to 15.3 mm (SD 8.4), similarly the prevalence of DRA decreased from 100% to 39.3%. A higher percentage of DRA occurrence at 6 months postpartum was reported by Sperstad et al [14]. In the group of 300 women it amounted to 45.4 %, and decreased to 32.6% at 12 months postpartum.…”

“…Some studies, however, deny these statements. Sperstad et al [14] reported no difference between women with and without DRA in prevalence of low back pain, similarly as Mota et al [13] and Parker et al [21]. In Norwegian study, women with DRA did not have a weaker pelvic floor muscle or more pelvic floor dysfunctions than women without diastasis [22].…”

“…Mota et al [13] and Sperstad et al [14] reported no association between DRA and the pre-pregnancy body mass index, weight gain, a baby's birth weight or abdominal circumference, heavy lifting, lifting and carrying children, and regular exercise.…”

Técnica quirúrgica para reparar la diástasis de rectos asociada a hernia umbilical. Diez años de experiencia

“…Sin embargo, lo más frecuente es que la DR se presente en el adulto joven, especialmente en la mujer tras el embarazo 3 . La revisión de la bibliografía publicada no muestra trabajos exclusivos sobre el tratamiento de este problema, excepto publicaciones realizadas en centros de estética que ofrecen tratamientos mediante ejercicios que supuestamente mejoran el defecto, pero sin ningún tipo de evidencia científica.…”

Existe associação entre os desconfortos no puerpério imediato e a via de parto? Um estudo observacional

“…A lombalgia no puerpério pode apresentar diversos fatores predisponentes. A diástase dos músculos retos abdominais, desencadeada na gestação, compromete a capacidade da musculatura abdominal de estabilização do tronco, interferindo no alinhamento postural e no equilíbrio da musculatura lombar 7 , bem como nas atividades do cotidiano. Assim como a diástase dos músculos retos abdominais, a incisão cirúrgica da cesárea também contribui para a redução da ação da musculatura abdominal como estabilizadora de tronco, contribuindo para susceptibilidade à lombalgia.…”