Effect of Antenatal Exercise Program with and without Abdominal Strengthening Exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis - A Post Partum Follow Up

Diastasis rectii abdominis (DRA) is defined as separation of rectii abdominis muscles as a result of widening of the linea alba (Nobel,1982). During pregnancy DRA can vary between a small gap of 2–3 cm wide and 12–15 cm long to a space measuring 12–20 cm in width and extending nearly the whole length of the rectii muscles. DRA caused by hormonal influences and biomechanical and structural changes mainly of the rectus abdominis and linea alba during pregnancy.

To compare the effect of routine antenatal exercises with inclusion of abdominal exercises along with routine antenatal exercises on their size of the diastasis rectus abdominis in the postnatal mothers.

Quasi experimental post test design carried out in this study. 50 antenatal women randomly selected in this study and divided in Group A and Group B. DRA was measured by dial caliper. The DRA was measured at the level of umbilicus on the third post partum day. Presence of DRA was considered when the width was more than 2.5 cm (1 inch).

Finally data from 30 Antenatal women were analyzed. Chi square test was used as statistical tool. Out of 15 Antenatal women in Group A, 8 (53%) women had DRA (>2.5 cm= 1 inch) and 7 (47%) women did not have DRA (<2.5 cm=1 inch), whereas out of 15 Antenatal women in Group B, 14 (93%) women had DRA (>2.5 cm= 1 inch) and 1 (7%) did not have DRA (<2.5 cm=1 inch). The mean difference of diastasis rectii at the level of umbilicus between the Group A and Group B was 0.439 inch (1cm).

There is significant effect of abdominal exercises along with routine antenatal exercises than the routine antenatal exercises alone on Diastasis rectus abdominis among the postnatal mothers.