Prevalence and factors associated with diastasis recti abdominis in the postpartum period: a binational comparative study (Paraguay–Argentina)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17795099Keywords:
Diastasis recti, Postpartum period, Women's health, Physical therapy modalities, PrevalenceAbstract
Introduction: Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) is a frequent musculoskeletal alteration in pregnancy and the postpartum period, characterized by separation of the muscle bellies at the linea alba. Despite its functional and aesthetic implications, it is often underdiagnosed.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk probability of diastasis recti abdominis in a population of postpartum women residing in Itapúa (Paraguay) and Misiones (Argentina).
Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted from January to July 2021. The non-probability convenience sample included 60 women (30 from Encarnación, Paraguay, and 30 from Posadas, Argentina). Data were collected through a structured digital survey on obstetric, anthropometric variables and associated symptoms.
Results: In the Paraguayan population, young women predominated (23–29 years), with gestational weight gain greater than 20 kg in isolated cases; 50% reported abdominal bulging and low back pain. In the Argentine population, a higher frequency of associated symptoms was observed, such as muscle discomfort (36.7%) and urinary retention (23.3%). In both groups, clinical signs compatible with previously undiagnosed DRA were identified.
Conclusions: There is a high probability of untreated diastasis in both populations, associated with factors such as excessive weight gain and lack of postpartum physiotherapy assessment. It is essential to protocolize evaluation of the abdominal wall in the puerperium.
References
Boissonnault JS, Blaschak MJ. Incidence of diastasis recti abdominis during the childbearing year. Phys Ther. 1988;68(7):1082-6.
Mota P, Pascoal AG, Carita AI, Bø K. Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis from late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, and relationship with lumbo-pelvic pain. Man Ther. 2015;20(1):200-5.
Sperstad JB, Tennfjord MK, Hilde G, Ellström-Engh M, Bø K. Diastasis recti abdominis during pregnancy and 12 months after childbirth: prevalence, risk factors and report of lumbopelvic pain. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(17):1092-6.
Benjamin DR, van de Water AT, Peiris CL. Effects of exercise on diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle in the antenatal and postnatal periods: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2014;100(1):1-8.
Turan V, Colluoglu C, Turkyilmaz E, Korucuoglu U. Prevalence of diastasis recti abdominis in the population of young multiparous adults in Turkey. Ginek Pol. 2011;82(11):817-21.
Wu L, Gu Y, Gu Y, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis in the long-term postpartum: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025; (Preprint available).
Gluppe SB, Engh ME, Bø K. Immediate Effect of Abdominal and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises on Interrecti Distance in Women With Diastasis Recti Abdominis Who Are Postpartum. Phys Ther. 2020;100(8):1372-83.
Mota P, Pascoal AG, Sancho F, Carita AI, Bø K. Reliability of the inter-rectus distance measured by palpation. Comparison of palpation and ultrasound measurements. Man Ther. 2015;20(2):271-5.
Thabet AA, Alshehri MA. Efficacy of deep core stability exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis: a randomised controlled trial. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019;19(1):62-8.
Fuentes Aparicio L, Rejano Campo M. Fisioterapia en la diástasis de los rectos abdominales: una revisión sistemática. Fisioterapia. 2016;38(4):192-9.
Mesquita LA, Machado AV, Andrade AV. Fisioterapia para redução da diástase dos músculos retos abdominais no pós-parto. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 1999;21(5):263-8.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Anabella González, Mariela Rocío Vega Bernal (Autor/a)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Articles are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 licence. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication. Any reuse must acknowledge authorship, cite the original source and indicate whether changes were made.
