Normal width of the inter-recti distance in pregnant and postpartum primiparous women

• Published in: Musculoskeletal science & practice Vol. 35; pp. 34 - 37
• Main Authors: Mota, Patrícia, Pascoal, Augusto Gil, Carita, Ana Isabel, Bø, Kari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Abdominals; Diastasis recti; Linea alba; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Ultrasound imaging; Diastasis recti; Linea alba; Ultrasound imaging; Abdominals
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.02.004

Abstract Study Design Longitudinal descriptive exploratory study. Objectives Evaluate the normal width of the linea alba in first-time pregnant women during pregnancy and postpartum. Background There are normative values on the width of the linea alba for nulliparous women, but limited knowledge about the normal width of the inter-rectus distance (IRD) in pregnant and postpartum women. Methods Ultrasound images were recorded in 84 primiparous women, at 3 locations on the linea alba (2 cm below the umbilicus, and 2 and 5 cm above the umbilicus) and at 4 time points (gestational weeks 35–41 and 6th to 8th, 12th to 14th, and 24th to 26th weeks postpartum). The 20th and 80th percentiles were used to define the normal width of the linea alba. Results During pregnancy, the 20th and the 80th percentile corresponded to 49–79 mm below the umbilicus, 54–86 mm at 2 cm above the umbilicus and 44–79 mm at 5 cm above the umbilicus. At 6 months postpartum, the 20th and the 80th percentile corresponded to 9–21 mm at 2 cm below the umbilicus, from 17 to 28 mm at 2 cm above the umbilicus and from 12 to 24 mm at 5 cm above the umbilicus. Conclusion Different normative values for the width of the linea alba were found at different locations of the anterior abdominal wall. In primiparous women, the IRD may be considered “normal” up to values wider than in nulliparous.