{"id":14720,"date":"2024-03-25T23:43:49","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innerstrengthbayside.com.au\/?p=14720"},"modified":"2024-03-25T23:45:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T23:45:11","slug":"what-is-an-abdominal-muscle-separation-post-child-birth-dram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/innerstrengthbayside.com.au\/what-is-an-abdominal-muscle-separation-post-child-birth-dram\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is An Abdominal Muscle Separation Post Child Birth (DRAM)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UnderstandingWhat is a DRAM?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Diastasis Rectus Abdominis Muscle (DRAM) is the stretching of the two rectus abdominus muscles at the midline, also known as the linea alba. This is a healthy body\u2019s normal physiological change, which occurs typically during the second and third trimester of pregnancy as the body allows room for the baby to grow.<\/p>\n

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What Causes DRAM?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The female body undergoes amazing changes to facilitate making room for the growing fetus. Throughout pregnancy, hormones are released to soften and stretch the body’s abdominal tissues (linea alba) to accommodate the growth of the baby. This is a normal and healthy process, that 100% of pregnant women will experience in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy.<\/p>\n

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How Can I Tell If I Have DRAM?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You may see or be able to feel a gap down the midline of your outer abdominal muscles, especially when your abdominals are contracted. Often with a DRAM, many women may also feel weakness in their abdominal muscles and and poor posture. There is no evidence to suggest that a DRAM will lead to lower back pain.<\/p>\n

You can also perform a simple at home test to assess for a DRAM<\/p>\n

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  1. Lie on your back with knees bent. Place two fingers over your belly button (naval).\"\"<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Lift your shoulders and head off the floor to perform an abdominal crunch.<\/li>\n
  3. Maintain the abdominal crunch, whilst pressing your two fingers down in between your left and right abdominal muscles. Feel to assess a gap between these muscles.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A gap greater than two finger widths, is an indication of a DRAM.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Exercises To Perform To Help DRAM Recovery<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    As every female body is different, it is important to have an individual exercise program tailored to you. Whilst certain core exercises can improve a DRAM, some can make it worse.<\/p>\n

    Things to avoid to prevent straining your abdominal muscles:<\/em><\/p>\n

    It is recommended to avoid certain movements that may strain your abdominals for two months post partum, or until being cleared by your Physiotherapist.\u00a0 Movements that place strain on your abdominal muscles can make the DRAM worse long term, including:<\/p>\n