What if your diastasis isn't fixable?

Diastasis is a buzz word at the moment - and for good reason! I'm glad there has become increased awareness of the need to protect and restore the abdominal muscles during the pregnancy and postpartum seasons.

Here's a brief rundown on diastasis and how it happens:

When the front your abdominal wall expands, like during pregnancy, the tissue between your "six pack abs" stretches. This tissue, called the linea alba, can be a vulnerable place. This separation of the abs can happen genetically, with pregnancy, or other postural and structural changes (think beer belly).

We start talking about diastasis in pregnancy because that's when we can prevent the most damage. Learning to protect this vulnerable area is one of the pillars of pregnancy pelvic therapy. Postpartum, we are addressing core rehab from every angle (above with the diaphragm, below with the pelvic floor, with the muscles of the back, as well as the ab muscles). Correcting diastasis helps prevent incontinence, prolapse, back pain, hernias, and other pelvic dysfunctions. It also plays a role in aesthetic goals for our clients.

Most women see dramatic functional and aesthetic improvements with traditional diastasis rehab and lots of hard work. It's usually one of the first few things women want to tackle postpartum. It's a high priority and for good reason!

But here's the truth:

Some women are desperate to 'fix' their body because it feels like something they can control amidst a lot of things they can't during the postpartum season.

Let's digest that for a second. Postpartum is a crazy season. Your boobs hurt and so does your vagina. You might be navigating incision healing and potential complications. Breastfeeding is a huge journey that now often includes latch issues and mouth therapy. There are chiropractic appointments, pelvic floor therapy, pediatrician appointments, and a million other things especially if you have the financial resources to get involved in all the "alternative" medicines.

Your baby doesn't sleep, your house is a mess, your body feels foreign, your marriage is adjusting and so are your other kids.

What if diastasis is so appealing to correct because it feels controllable? What if it seems like the easiest of all the factors to address, one that doesn't involve a lot of outside forces? What if fighting for your core is really fighting for your sanity?

I'm not saying it's inappropriate to want to heal your body and give it the best shot at an optimal postpartum recovery. I love me some postpartum fitness! But when those expectations aren't met in your perceived timeline, maybe check the motives and your heart behind your frustrations.

Give yourself patience and grace when healing your diastasis, because I hope you're extending that same grace to the other areas of postpartum.