Abdominal muscle separation
Also known Diastasis Recti, Diastasis Rectus Abdominus Muscles, DRA or DRAM.
During pregnancy it is normal for the abdominal/tummy muscles to stretch and the ligament between the bands of muscle to widen to make space for your growing baby. All women have some degree of separation between the bands of muscle at 35 weeks pregnant and 39% at 6 months postnatal (Mota et al 2014). This is called Diastasis Recti.
If your tummy ligament has become wider or weaker you may notice your tummy “doming” or a “gap” in your tummy muscles when you do things that require lots of abdominal activity e.g. sitting up from lying, coughing or straining to move your bowels.
If you have abdominal separation during pregnancy your midwife, GP or obstetrician may refer you to physiotherapy for assessment and to teach you abdominal exercises to maintain your strength until your baby is born.
What can you do?
- Avoid activities and exercises which cause doming in the middle of your abdomen
- To get out of bed, roll onto your side and use your hands to push up from the bed. This puts less stress on your abdomen.
- It is important to remain physically active throughout pregnancy and exercise your abdominal muscles safely to reduce the risk of DRA.
- Try Tubigrip or high waisted maternity clothes to give you some support
- Read the information and watch the videos on this page to get a better understanding
Stage one: Exercises for your tummy muscles | NHS Fife
Incontinence during pregnancy
Incontinence can affect up to 40% of pregnant women and can persist after childbirth in up to 43% of women. It is NOT normal for incontinence to persist post birth and it can be successfully treated with pelvic floor exercises. Different foods & drink, especially those containing caffeine may irritate the bladder and therefore make symptoms of incontinence worse. Constipation can also affect incontinence and straining to open your bowels can weaken your pelvic floor muscles.
If your midwife has referred you to physiotherapy due to urinary leakage or incontinence during pregnancy, you will be invited to attend an assessment. The assessment will last no more than 60 minutes and will involve teaching the correct technique for pelvic floor exercises and also lifestyle changes that may help.
What can you do?
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem affecting the wrist and hand during pregnancy. It affects approximately 62% of pregnant women. The symptoms include pins and needles or numbness of the wrist and fingers, wrist pain, reduced grip strength and reduced dexterity (eg difficulty completing intricate tasks such as doing up buttons or tying laces). The symptoms tend to increase at night and may interrupt your sleep. This is commonly due to fluid (oedema) in the Carpal Tunnel which increases the pressure on the nerve running through the wrist. If the wrist can be kept neutral and the oedema reduced, the symptoms should ease.
Treatment of this condition involves the use of night splints, advice on avoiding extremes of wrist movements, control of swelling / oedema and simple exercises. However, in some cases, steroid injections are required to ease the symptoms prior to delivery. In the majority of cases (85%) the pain dissipates within six weeks after birth, but occasionally (15% of women) the symptoms can continue beyond 3 months after delivery. It is important to remember that in most cases, splinting and self management is effective. Further treatment is only required occasionally.
What can you do?
If you have been referred by your GP or midwife you will be sent a carpal tunnel information leaflet in the post or you can access it here Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy.
