Answer: For most women, yes. But the question itself is worth unpacking, because what recovery means for diastasis is different from what most people expect.

Recovery is about function, not closing the gap
The goal of diastasis recovery is not to close the gap between the abdominal muscles. Research has not found a consistent relationship between the size of the separation and how well the abdominal wall functions. Two women with the same gap measurement can have completely different functional outcomes.
What matters is whether the abdominal wall can generate and transfer load effectively, supporting movement, managing intra-abdominal pressure, and working as part of the whole system. That is what recovery looks like.

What happens after birth
For many women, natural resolution of diastasis begins in the first eight weeks after birth as hormone levels settle and the abdominal wall begins to adapt. But resolution is not the same for everyone, and the timeline varies significantly.
There is currently no universally agreed definition of what counts as a resolved diastasis, which makes the research on recovery rates difficult to interpret. What we do know is that gap measurement alone is not a reliable indicator of whether recovery is complete.

The abdomen after birth
It is worth understanding that the abdomen after birth will look and feel different from before pregnancy for most women, and for many that is a permanent change. That is not a flaw or a failure. It is the body having grown and birthed a baby.

Can exercise help?
Exercise is an important part of postnatal recovery, but no single exercise has been shown to consistently resolve diastasis. The evidence points toward a whole-system approach, building abdominal wall function progressively and moving in ways that support rather than overload the healing tissue.

If you want guidance, a health and fitness professional with specific training in postnatal recovery can assess how your abdominal wall is functioning and support your recovery.

What about surgery?
Surgery is a legitimate option for some women, particularly where there is significant functional impairment that has not responded to conservative management.
For some women the concern is not functional at all. After birth, the abdomen looks and feels different, and wanting to address that is completely understandable. This is a valid reason to explore your options, including surgery, with a specialist.
Surgery can address specific concerns but it is a significant procedure with a recovery period that requires real consideration. Lifting restrictions and limited movement in the weeks following surgery can be genuinely difficult when you have a young baby or children who need physical care. Any specialist worth seeing will discuss this honestly with you before you make a decision.
If you are considering surgery, a referral to a specialist with experience in abdominal wall reconstruction is the right starting point.

Where to start
If you are concerned about diastasis after birth, a functional assessment gives you more information than a gap measurement alone. Your GP is a good first point of contact and can help direct you to the right support.
For more on diastasis during pregnancy, including why it happens and what the research does and does not tell us, read our article on diastasis recti during pregnancy. Diastasis During Pregnancy – WHEN
For health professionals and those wanting the full clinical detail, WHEN has published a position statement on abdominal exercise and diastasis recti during pregnancy. Abdominal Exercise and Diastasis Recti During Pregnancy – WHEN

References
Cabral et al. (2025). Transversus abdominis and rectus abdominis activation exercises do not alter inter-recti distance in pregnant women: a randomised trial. Journal of Physiotherapy, 71, 254-259.
Gluppe et al. (2021). What is the evidence for abdominal and pelvic floor muscle training to treat diastasis recti abdominis postpartum? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 25, 664-675.
Skoura et al. (2024). Diastasis recti abdominis rehabilitation in the postpartum period: a scoping review. International Urogynecology Journal, 35, 491-520.
Bixo et al. (2022). Association between inter-recti distance and impaired abdominal core function in post-partum women with diastasis recti abdominis. Journal of Abdominal Wall Surgery.
Lee and Hodges (2016). Behavior of the linea alba during a curl-up task in diastasis rectus abdominis: an observational study. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 46, 580-589.