Diastasis recti is very common during and following pregnancy. This is because the uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen to accommodate your growing baby. One study found that up to 60 percent of women may experience diastasis recti during pregnancy or postpartum. The condition isn't limited to pregnancy, though.

How do you know if you have diastasis recti?

Place your fingers on your belly button, pointing towards your pelvis, and press down. Lift your head up about an inch while keeping your shoulders on the ground. If you have diastasis recti, you will feel a gap between the muscles that is an inch wide (~ 2 fingers) or greater.

How early can you get diastasis recti?

DRA may affect women during and after pregnancy. Typically, DRA develops in the second or third trimester. It is during this time that the fetus is growing most rapidly and can result in the greatest increase in distance between the two sides of the muscle, potentially resulting in diastasis recti pain.