Prevalence of Diastasis Recti among Postpartum Women-An Observational Study

The diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle or Diastasis Recti is defined as the abnormal separation of the right and left rectus abdominis, appearing as an increase in the width of the line alba.

To investigate the prevalence of diastasis recti among postpartum women during 1^st, 3^rd and 6^th week of puerperium and to compare Diastasis Recti above, at and below the level of umbilicus among post partum women.

Non-Experimental Design, Observational study.

Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 postnatal women were selected. Diastasis recti measurements were graded by digital caliper at 1cm above, at and 1cm below the umbilicus.

The results of the study shows that there was a significant difference in the measurement of diastasis recti at the level, 1 cm above and1 cm below umbilicus in primiparae (p<.05) and multiparae (p<.01) between 1^st week and the 3^rdweek postpartum and between 1^st week and 6^th week postpartum and there was no significant difference in the measurement of diastasis recti in primiparae (p>.05)and multiparae (p=.01)at the level and 1cm below umbilicus between 3 rd week and the 6^th week postpartum.

Mean diastasis recti was highly prevalent at the umbilicus (96.55%,) 1cm above the level of umbilicus (68%), 1cm below the level of umbilicus (40.75%). This study concludes that there was a prevalence of diastasis recti at, 1cm above and 1cm below the level of umbilicus during 1^st, 3^rd and 6^th week of puerperium.