Pregnancy is the single most important risk factor for diastasis recti in women. As the baby grows, hormones soften the connective tissue and the growing uterus pushes outward, so the linea alba stretches and widens. Some widening is normal and expected — the question that matters is how well it recovers afterwards, and how to help it.
Key points
- Pregnancy is the main risk factor for diastasis in women.
- About 35–60% of women develop some separation during pregnancy.
- One study found diastasis in 100% of women at 35 weeks.
- Prevalence falls to 52.4% at 6–8 weeks and 39.3% at 6 months postpartum; about 30% still have it.
- Much recovers naturally over ~6 months; beyond 12 months it tends to be definitive.
- Gentle, guided core work supports recovery — start once cleared.
Why does pregnancy cause diastasis recti?
Two things happen together. Hormones such as relaxin soften the connective tissue to prepare the body for birth, and the growing uterus steadily raises intra-abdominal pressure and increases the abdominal diameter, with a greater lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt. The linea alba stretches to make room — so some degree of diastasis in late pregnancy is almost universal.
A normal adaptation
Widening during pregnancy is the body doing what it should. It becomes a concern only if it stays wide, deep or symptomatic well after birth.
How much recovers after birth?
The numbers tell the story: in one study every woman had some diastasis at 35 weeks, falling to 52.4% at 6–8 weeks and 39.3% at six months after delivery, with roughly 30% still affected. The body runs a natural recovery over about six months; recovery is fastest early and then slows. If a meaningful gap remains beyond 12 months, the diastasis tends to be definitive.
Give it time, then reassess
Rather than judging the gap in the first raw weeks, reassess a few months after birth with a self-check and, if needed, an ultrasound.
What makes a diastasis persist?
Several factors increase the chance of a diastasis still being present at 12 months: maternal age over 35, multiple pregnancies, a twin pregnancy, fetal macrosomia (a large baby), a sedentary lifestyle, a high pre-pregnancy BMI, and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Evidence beyond 12 months is limited; resuming appropriate physical activity may help modestly, but the data are not yet conclusive.
How can I support recovery?
Once your clinician clears you — generally at least 6–8 weeks after a vaginal birth, a little longer after a cesarean — gentle hypopressive core work supports recovery. Avoid crunches and heavy lifting without protection. If the gap stays wide or symptomatic, surgery can be discussed later, ideally once you have completed the pregnancies you want, given the risk of recurrence.
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Reviewed by Federico Fiori, MD · Updated 2026-08
Frequently asked questions
- Is diastasis recti normal in pregnancy?
- Yes. Some widening of the linea alba is normal and almost universal in late pregnancy — one study found it in 100% of women at 35 weeks. It becomes a concern only if it stays wide or symptomatic well after birth.
- Does diastasis recti go away after pregnancy?
- Often much of it recovers over about six months — prevalence falls from 52.4% at 6–8 weeks to 39.3% at six months, with about 30% still affected. If a meaningful gap remains beyond 12 months it tends to be definitive.
- What makes diastasis recti persist after childbirth?
- Risk factors for persistence at 12 months include maternal age over 35, multiple or twin pregnancies, a large baby, a sedentary lifestyle, a high pre-pregnancy BMI and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
- When can I start exercises after birth, and can I have surgery?
- Start gentle hypopressive core work once cleared, generally at least 6–8 weeks after a vaginal birth. Surgery, if needed, is best considered after you have completed the pregnancies you want, because of the risk of recurrence.
Frequently asked questions