{
  "id": 15515940,
  "title": "Still have a tummy bulge after pregnancy despite exercising? It could be diastasis recti",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/still-have-a-tummy-bulge-after-pregnancy-despite-exercising-it-could",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T23:33:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/women/diastasis-recti-postpartum-tummy-bulge-exercise-6432746"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Diastasis recti, a condition affecting roughly a third of women after childbirth, is not merely a result of being unfit or exercising insufficiently, according to medical experts. This separation of the abdominal muscles can impact core strength and daily activities, and while exercise and physiotherapy can help strengthen the muscles, they may not always fix the issue, according to doctors.\n\nThe condition arises due to the stretching of the abdominal wall muscles during pregnancy, often caused by the expanding uterus, larger babies, or multiple pregnancies. Heavy lifting, straining, and chronic coughing can also place excessive stress on the abdominal wall. Ageing, genetics, and even constipation can contribute to the development of diastasis recti.\n\nSymptoms can range from abdominal discomfort and bloating to urinary incontinence and painful intercourse. A visible bulge in the mid-abdomen, especially when coughing or straining, may indicate the condition. However, a self-check may not accurately determine its severity.\n\nTreatment options depend on the severity. Mild cases may only require targeted exercises, while severe cases might necessitate surgery, especially if the gap is over 3cm. The primary goal of physiotherapy is not to close the gap completely but to enhance abdominal wall tension and core strength, enabling women to resume their desired activities.",
  "summary": "Affecting around a third of women after childbirth, diastasis recti isn’t simply a sign of weak abs or not going to the gym enough. The abdominal separation can affect core strength and everyday function – and exercise alone may not always fix it, say doctors",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}