Diastasis recti happens when the  left and right sides of your rectus abdominis muscle  (your "six-pack" muscle) stretch along the  linea alba , the connective tissue down the center of your abdomen. This is often caused by the pressure and stretching of the abdominal wall during pregnancy but can also affect men and non-pregnant women due to heavy lifting, improper exercise, or underlying connective tissue conditions. Signs of diastasis recti include: A visible bulge or “dom