Abdominal diastasis: all about this complication during pregnancy
Abdominal diastasis: all about this complication during pregnancy
Abdominal diastasis, also called diastasis of the right, refers to the separation of the superficial abdominals (grand rights, known as the pretty name of "chocolate bars"). These muscles are united at the line of the navel, called the white line or linea alba, by a connective tissue. The separation of the abdominals occurs when this tissue stretches to excess.
The diastasis of these muscles occurs mainly in two types of populations: newborns and pregnant women.
In neonates, especially in premature infants, right angles are not always fully developed to be welded to the linea alba, the midline of the body.
In pregnant women, or after pregnancy, the separation of grandfathering is caused by their stretching as a result of increased uterine volume. The uterus puts pressure on the abdominal muscles, which will stretch to make room for the baby. It is therefore a phenomenon quite physiological.
It is estimated that at least 50 to 60% of pregnant women have a diastasis of the right muscles in late pregnancy and during the immediate postpartum, that is, the first days and weeks after delivery.
Note that an abdominal diastasis can also occur in people who have undergone a very important and very rapid weight gain.
How do you know if you have an abdominal diastasis?
To find out whether or not there is a diastasis of grandfathering linked to pregnancy, it is first of all advisable to wait until having given birth. During pregnancy, the abdominal diastasis may be visible when the belly forms a "pointed" dome rather than a well rounded hump.
After pregnancy, it is quite easy to see for yourself whether or not there is significant abdominal diastasis. Unless otherwise indicated by the doctor (in particular for the caesarean section scar), you just have to lie on your back comfortably and then lift your head slightly as if you were trying to sit down. With one hand, you touch your abdominals at the navel. If we feel a gap between the two hard surfaces on either side of the white line, the middle line of the body, it is that there is an abdominal diastasis. It may be more or less important depending on the size of the spacing between the abdominals.
Diastasis of grandfathering during pregnancy: risk factors
Although no risk factors for diastasis have been clearly identified to date, several criteria seem to increase the risk during pregnancy:
multiparity;
an age greater than 34 years;
waiting for a big baby (fetal macrosomia);
significant weight gain during pregnancy;
a caesarean section;
multiple pregnancy
lack of exercise during pregnancy
a large abdominal circumference at the end of pregnancy.
As it is not always easy to intervene on these criteria, we will take care especially during the pregnancy to maintain as much as possible a varied and balanced diet, and a physical activity adapted to prevent the risk of abdominal diastasis, if not to limit this one .
How to make a diastasis disappear from the rights?
First of all, it is important to remember that abdominal diastasis occurring during pregnancy is neither exceptional nor abnormal. And this diastasis of rights usually fades over the weeks following childbirth.
However, it is possible to promote the attenuation or even the disappearance of the abdominal diastasis, by ensuring:
to drink a lot of water ;
monitor your posture by avoiding over-stressing the white line, especially by standing straight;
do not over-stress your abs.
After delivery, two approaches coexist to reduce or eliminate an abdominal diastasis: physiotherapy and abdominoplasty.
With specific physical exercises and supervised, physiotherapy will strengthen the abdominal belt and reduce the gap between the abdominals.
As for the abdominoplasty, it is a surgery under general anesthesia consisting in bringing the abdominal muscles together with the help of threads. However, it is only possible if one does not envisage a new pregnancy, and is supported by the Social Security only under certain conditions. Wearing an elastic abdominal sheath is necessary for one month after the procedure.