What is abdominal separation?
Over your pregnancy, your abdominal muscles will stretch to accomodate your growing baby. The linear alba, which is the fascia that joins the rectus abdominus muscles together (six pack muscles), will stretch allowing space for the baby to grow. While exercising during your pregnancy, we recommend minimal use of the rectus abdominus, as it can increase the size of the separation. After you have delivered, the abdominal muscles have stretched and will be weak. It is important to re-strengthen these muscles in a safe way to prevent further injury.
Effects of abdominal separation:
- Back and/or pelvis pain
- Poor posture
- Hernia
- Increase risk of abdominal separation in future pregnancies • Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Cosmetic effects
Treatment of abdominal separation:
At Physiohealth Women’s one of our specialised physiotherapists will assess your abdominal separation and then depending on the stage of your postnatal period, tailor a specific and individualised exercise program to you, tailored towards your exercise goals.
