Postpartum Diastasis Recti Exercises at Home

Recovering from diastasis recti doesn’t require a gym membership or fancy equipment—just the right postpartum diastasis recti exercises at home and consistency. Whether you’re weeks or months postpartum, these gentle routines will teach you how to close the gap, strengthen your core, and support your daily activities—all without leaving your living room.

Why Home Exercises Work

You don’t need fancy machines—just proper technique. Home exercises let you focus on gentle core‑closing movements, such as diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic tilts, that protect the connective tissue and gradually rebuild strength. Learn more about your healing timeline in How Long Does Postpartum Diastasis Recti Take to Heal.

Phase 1: Core Activation

  • Diaphragmatic Breathing: Lie on your back, inhale into ribs, exhale drawing navel to spine. 5 minutes daily.
  • Transverse Draws: Seated or supine, exhale pulling belly inward. Hold 5–10 seconds. 8–10 reps.
  • Pelvic Tilts: Exhale to flatten lower back into mat. Hold 3 seconds, 12 reps.

Phase 2: Controlled Movements

  • Heel Slides: Supine tabletop, slide one heel out on exhale, return on inhale. 10 reps each side.
  • Toe Taps: Lower one toe at a time with core engaged. 8–10 reps per side.
  • Supported Bridge: Lift hips while maintaining navel‑to‑spine. Hold 5 seconds, 10 reps.

Sample Daily Routine

Integrate these moves into a quick circuit you can do every day:

  • Diaphragmatic Breathing (3 min)
  • Transverse Draws (10 reps)
  • Heel Slides (10 reps each)
  • Pelvic Tilts (12 reps)
  • Supported Bridge (8 reps)

For safe progressions, see our Safe Postpartum Ab Workouts for Diastasis Recti guide.

Measuring Your Progress

Check your gap every 2–4 weeks using the fingertip-width test at your belly button. Photograph your midline bulge for visual tracking. For detailed measurement methods, read Postpartum Core Rehabilitation Plan for Diastasis.

Fuel tissue repair with collagen‑rich foods and lean protein. Consider supportive splints—learn more about the Best Splints for Postpartum Diastasis Recti Support to maintain alignment during exercise.

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About Julie Tupler RN

Julie Tupler, RN, is a registered nurse, certified childbirth educator, certified personal trainer, and creator of the Tupler Technique® Program, which she developed in 1990. For more than 30 years, she has been teaching and developing the Tupler Technique® Program for the treatment of diastasis recti in women, men, and children. Through Diastasis Rehab, Julie teaches clients and professionals how to use the Tupler Technique® to help address abdominal separation with a non-surgical, research-based approach. She is also the author of multiple books on maternal fitness and diastasis recti, including Maternal Fitness, Lose Your Mummy Tummy, Together Tummy, and Will You Be My Belly Buddy?