Pregnancy Inter-Recti Abdominis Distance Has No Impact on Respiratory Strength

[Purpose] This study compared the association between the Inter-Recti Abdominis Distance (IRD) and respiratory muscle strength in primiparous women and determined the prevalence of IRD rise in primiparous compared to nulliparous women. [Subjects] One hundred and twenty pregnant women and forty non-pregnant women participated in this study. IRD was measured by a digital caliper 4.5 cm above and below the umbilicus, as well as at the umbilical level. Respiratory strength was measured as maximum inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures using a digital pressure transducer. [Results] There was no correlation between PImax and PEmax at any of the abdominal anatomical levels assessed, despite a positive correlation being found for IRD and the length of the gestation weeks. Nulligesta IRD of nulliparous women values were lower than those of pregnant women at all the three umbilical levels. Prevalence values varied from 27.5% to 99% depending on the literature values used. IRD rises with duration of pregnancy but doesnÅft interfere with the PImax and PEmax. [Conclusion] Since there is no evidence in the literature for an accurate cutoff point to identify pathological IRD there is a need to define reliable patterns as a reference for diagnosing pathologic IRD according to age and gender.