Which of the following is a risk factor for Diastasis Rectus Abdominus?

• A. Advanced age
• B. Heavy lifting
• C. Multiple births
• D. Low physical activity

Answer: (C)

Multiple births are indeed a recognized risk factor for diastasis rectus abdominus, a condition characterized by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles along the midline of the abdomen. During pregnancy, the increased intra-abdominal pressure and hormonal changes facilitated by relaxin contribute to the stretching of the linea alba, the connective tissue that holds the two sides of the rectus abdominis together. In the case of multiple births, the heightened abdominal distension is more pronounced, which can lead to a greater likelihood of this separation occurring.

Factors such as advanced age may influence overall muscle tone and previous pregnancies but do not directly correlate with an increased risk specifically related to diastasis rectus abdominus. Heavy lifting and low physical activity are lifestyle factors that can influence muscle integrity and core stability, but they do not have the same direct anatomical implications in the context of pregnancy-related changes associated with multiple births. Therefore, the unique physiological changes that occur in women carrying multiples create a specific environment conducive to the development of diastasis rectus abdominus, making this option the most accurate choice.