I have been asked this recently so I thought I would highlight a couple of the moms and daughter duos I have taught recently.
It does make sense that diastasis recti’s CAN run in families, if the daughter inherits the same size torso as their mom, and perhaps carries similarly. Perhaps even the integrity of the muscle could have a genetic component.
Some daughters, of course, will carry babies differently than their moms. Some women carry different child to child. Some daughters will have inherited torso’s more along their dad’s genetic lines.
Obviously, the shorter the torso, the more likely a birth will result in a diastasis recti. The longer the torso, the more room the baby has – generally, to spread out. Since up to 98% of women get diastasis recti ( I personally have only measure THREE women out of probably 1000 + that have not gotten a diastasis postpartum) it can be theorized that those women with a longer torso will perhaps split less than the shorter counterparts.
The other question: Given the same instruction and technique verification, would both mom and daughter tend to close their diastasis at the same pace? Of course, there are many factors – strength, daily habits, how often they do the exercises, etc. But it will be interesting none the less to observe:
Lets meet the first mom and daughter duo.
MOM AND DAUGHTER # 1: The daughter and mom were both around the same height – around 5 “6 and fairly thin women. They each had 3 kids. The daughter (30s) meausred THREE fingerwidths is all three places – at the belly button, three inches above, and three inches below the belly button. The mom (60s) measured a THREE fingerwidths at the belly button, three inches below, and was CLOSED at the top.
After 7 weeks (8 classes) both mom and daughter TOTALLY CLOSED their diastasis and were rock solid. Each lost an inch + in their waist.
So far: mom and daughter 1 had VERY similar diastasis recti, and both closed their diastasis totally after 7 weeks, and both lost inches in their waist.
MOM AND DAUGHTER #2: Both mom (60s) and daughter (30s) were similar in height – 5″4 and 5″5 respectively. The daughter had 3 kids, the mom 3 kids also. The daughter measured FIVE fingerwidths at the middle, 2 fingerwidths at the top, and 3 fingerwidths at the bottom. The mom measured FIVE fingerwidths at the middle, 3 fingerwidths at the top, and 2 1/2 fingerwidths at the bottom. After 3 weeks (4 classes) the daughter was CLOSED at the top, Three in the middle, and CLOSED at the bottom. The mom was CLOSED at the top, Three in the middle, and CLOSED at the bottom.
So VERY similar initial diastasis recti. Just a slight variation. The rate at CLOSING the diastasis is the same. VERY marked progress in both. BOTH WOMEN wear the SPLINT
and both did around 4 to 5 sets of 100 of the SEATED TUPLERS each day.
SUMMARY: SO FAR it seems there is a definite genetic component both with the size of diastasis recti in mothers and daughters and both in the RATE of being able to close the diastasis.
THOUGHTS? If you have a diastasis, mention it to your mom or daughter. If they have one, they could be experiencing back aches because the function of the recti is both to hold in your organs AND give back support. Also, of course is the cosmetic component – everything will fit better and look better and the waist will be smaller AFTER closing the diastasis recti. Next time, I will have a look at SISTERS!! If you have experienced a diastasis recti, your sister could as well – let her know!!
Do you have a mom, daughter or sister that has a similar diastasis as you do? Measure and let us know!
