After giving birth, many women, including myself, face a variety of physical challenges. I have personally struggled with postpartum abdominal muscle separation, a condition known as diastasis recti. This condition not only affects physical appearance but also causes discomfort, pain, and overall decreased quality of life. For many of us, the only viable solution is surgical intervention, which is unfortunately only accessible through private healthcare in the UK.

This lack of accessible treatment poses a significant problem for countless women who are unable to afford private healthcare. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, diastasis recti affects approximately 60% of women post-delivery. Despite the high prevalence, there remains a gap in the availability of necessary treatments within the National Health Service (NHS).

The NHS provides a wide range of essential services to support new mothers, but the current exclusion of postpartum muscle repair treatments leaves many women without the help they need. The addition of this treatment can greatly improve the lives of women suffering from this condition, enhancing their physical health, mental well-being, and overall sense of self.

While some cases are currently dismissed as cosmetic, the reality is that these conditions can lead to chronic pain, weakened core stability, back problems, pelvic floor dysfunction, hernias, posture issues, incontinence, and long-term mobility difficulties.

At present, many women are left with extremely limited treatment options. Physiotherapy can provide support for some individuals; however, for many mothers with severe muscle separation, physiotherapy alone is insufficient and only serves as ongoing management rather than a long-term solution. As a result, countless women continue to require repeated NHS appointments, referrals, pain management support, physiotherapy sessions, mental health support, and treatment for secondary complications over many years.

Although the NHS is already under considerable financial strain, failing to provide effective corrective surgery may ultimately place an even greater long-term burden on healthcare services. Women living with untreated postpartum abdominal injuries are more likely to require:

Ongoing physiotherapy treatment
Repeated GP appointments and specialist referrals
Pain management support and medication
Treatment for hernias and musculoskeletal complications
Mental health support related to reduced quality of life and body confidence
Additional support linked to reduced mobility and physical functioning
Providing access to appropriate surgical intervention in eligible cases could reduce the need for long-term repeated treatments while significantly improving patient outcomes and overall wellbeing.

The potential benefits of making postpartum muscle repair surgery more accessible through the NHS include:

Improved physical health and mobility
Reduced chronic pain and musculoskeletal complications
Better pelvic floor and core function
Reduced long-term dependence on physiotherapy and pain management services
Improved mental health and self-confidence
Increased ability for mothers to work, care for children, and maintain active lifestyles
Potential long-term cost savings for NHS services through reduced repeat care. 

As a mother-led initiative, I am currently working toward establishing a charity to support women affected by these conditions and to campaign for greater recognition, research, and treatment accessibility within the healthcare system.

I strongly believe postpartum recovery and maternal health deserve far greater attention and investment, and I hope this issue can be seriously considered as part of future NHS women’s health priorities.

By incorporating postpartum muscle repair into the NHS, we can ensure that all women have equitable access to the care they desperately need. This decision would represent a compassionate step towards supporting mothers in the postpartum period, underlining the importance of their health in the public healthcare agenda.

To achieve this, we urge the NHS and relevant policymakers to consider the integration of surgical and non-surgical treatments for diastasis recti into mainstream NHS services. This would entail comprehensive assessment, referral, and treatment pathways designed to support women during the postpartum period.

Your signature can help make a change. Supporting this petition means advocating for the health and well-being of thousands of women who are currently without options. 
Please sign this petition to make postpartum muscle repair treatment available on the NHS, ensuring that no woman has to bear the physical and emotional burden of this condition alone.