Table 4

OR with 95% CI for risk factors compared between women with and without diastasis recti abdominis 12 months post partum

VariableOR (95% CI)p Value
Age (years)0.94 (0.87 to 1.02)0.11
Height (cm)1.05 (1.00 to 1.11)0.05
Mean weight before this pregnancy (kg)0.99 (0.97 to 1.02)0.54
Weight gain from prepregnancy to gestation week 37 (kg)1.01 (0.94 to 1.08)0.80
Baby's birth weight (g)1.00 (1.00 to 1.00)0.32
Caesarean section (elective and acute)1.19 (0.54 to 2.61)0.69
Hypermobility (yes/no)2.24 (0.97 to 5.14)0.06
General cardio exercise 12 months post partum1.23 (0.60 to 2.50)0.58
General strength exercise 12 months post partum0.30 (0.08 to 1.04)0.06
Abdominal exercise 12 months post partum (n (%))
 Never/seldom
 1 time per week1.64 (0.42 to 6.39)0.48
 2 times per week2.00 (0.43 to 9.26)0.38
 ≥3 times per week0.43 (0.72 to 2.54)0.35
Pelvic floor muscle exercise 6–12 months post partum (n (%))
 Never/when needed
 1 time per week2.91 (0.80 to 10.61)0.16
 1–2 times per week3.14 (0.73 to 13.5)0.13
 ≥3 times per week1.33 (0.23 to 7.80)0.75
Heavy lifting ≥20 times per week2.18 (1.05 to 4.52)0.04