To accommodate your growing baby, your body slowly stretches the abdominal wall, allowing the two long muscles to move outward as the connective tissue in between expands. Depending on how you carry your baby, there might be more expansion above, centered or below the belly button.

After delivery, your organs, including your stomach, intestines, uterus and everything in between, all slowly shift back to their original places (as close as they can). This takes time. The expansion of your abdominal wall took 10 months to complete, so yes, it’s going to take a while to collapse again. If you find it’s been a couple months since you’ve had your baby and you’ve got this “soft spot” still, it’s time to test yourself.

Test for Diastasis Recti:

• Lie back on the floor and bend your knees so your feet are on the floor, too. Make sure your back is pressing into the ground.
• Place two fingers on the center line of your abdominal wall. You can draw an imaginary line from your belly button to your sternum and from the belly button down to the pubic bone. Relax.
• Gently lift your head, tucking your chin into your chest. This will cause the tummy muscles to contract or flex.
• If you feel a gap between your muscles with your two fingers, you could have diastasis. Anything as wide or wider than two fingertips is cause for concern. Anything smaller than that should heal on its own with time and appropriate ab exercises.

“I think I have diastasis!” Don’t freak out. Women who haven’t been pregnant, even men, can have this diagnosis as well. With patience, you can bring it all back together.

Here’s how to fix diastasis recti. First, talk to your doctor. Your OB-GYN can recommend some pelvic floor therapy in addition to a chiropractor or physical therapist who can start you on your path to recovery.

There are several resources available online, but sometimes it’s more worthwhile to go in and see a professional who can make corrections and help you pace yourself. The most important thing to remember is to be gentle, and NO CRUNCHES! Check out this video workout below designed just for C-section moms to get started on your recovery:

Source: skinnymom