Doming or coning
Noticing a ridge, bulge or cone shape through the middle of your tummy during movement or exercise.
Abdominal separation
Understanding diastasis recti after pregnancy, and how physiotherapy can help with abdominal strength and movement.
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What is abdominal separation?
Abdominal separation, also called diastasis recti, is where the connective tissue between the abdominal muscles stretches during pregnancy. For some women, the area still feels soft, weak, domed or difficult to control after birth.
The aim is not just to “close the gap”. What matters is how your core manages pressure, movement, lifting, exercise and daily life. Physiotherapy can help you build better control, strength and confidence without guessing what you should or should not do.
Softness through the midline
Feeling a gap, softness or lack of tension through the centre of your tummy.
Exercise uncertainty
Not knowing which core exercises are safe, what to avoid, or how to progress without making symptoms worse.
Assessing abdominal strength and control
In everyday life
Getting up from the floor, lifting your baby or carrying bags. We’ll look at the movements where you feel less supported and explore how to make them more manageable.
When you exercise
Breathing, abdominal control and how your body manages effort. We can adapt your starting point and help you build strength without guessing which exercises to choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is it too late to improve abdominal separation?
It is still worth getting support, even if you are months or years postnatal. The focus is not only the size of the gap, but how your core manages pressure, lifting, movement and exercise. There is often a lot that can be improved with the right plan.
Does the gap need to close completely?
Not always. A smaller gap can be helpful, but function matters more than the number alone. We look at how your tummy manages pressure, whether you notice doming or coning, how supported you feel, and how your core works during daily life and exercise.
Will I need an internal assessment?
Not usually for abdominal separation alone. Assessment often focuses on your abdominal wall, breathing, movement, posture, strength and how your body manages pressure. If pelvic health symptoms are also involved, Garance will explain your options clearly and nothing is done without your consent.
When can I start physiotherapy after birth?
You can ask for advice early, but the right starting point depends on your birth, healing, symptoms and energy levels. Early support can be gentle and practical, then strength work can build gradually as your body is ready.
