Exercise After C-section

I started doing full pre-pregnancy exercises 2 months after the C-section. It included running, sit-ups and push-ups. I tried not to strain the incision area, because, like you, I had cramping around the incision area.

I would wait at least 6-8 weeks to let your body heal from the trauma of pregnancy, birth, and your c-section. Right now all of your organs that got pushed around to accommodate your growing baby, and all the muscles that got relaxed and stretched during pregnancy are trying to find their place in your body. If you overdo things now you could really damage your body even more.

I have had multiple abdominal surgeries and a c-section. I was told a minimum of 6-8 weeks before doing any real exercise besides casual walking.

I wouldn't worry too much about the preggo weight coming off. You figure it took you 9 months to put the weight on, so it should take you about 9 months to take the weight off in a healthy manner.

Save your energy right now for caring for your new baby, spending time with family, and taking care of yourself.

My doctor told me I was looking at 6 to 8 weeks. Your stomach muscles are still separated, so you don't want to build them until they come back together.

Most doctors say to give it 6-8 weeks. You may want to slow down a little. You're body needs to heal from the surgery and the PREGNANCY. It takes your uterus alone, 6 weeks to get back to its normal size. Don't rush it, give it a little time. Just keep in mind everything that your body has been through for the last 10 months. I am a mom of two - one natural and one C-section. Even though the first six weeks was impossible to take it easy, I am now less than what I was before my first pregnancy. Just give it time.

Cramps are a bad sign, get medical advice and stop when you experience pain!
This aside...

Pilates, you can start now so long as it s transversus work not rectus. (ask your instructor)

jogging, gently when / if you feel up to it, careful with stretches

and weights less so... would advise waiting
weighting !
geddit?
;-)
aww well
;-(
so much for the comedy!!

definitely NO 'ab work' Ok
you need your muscles to go back together before you do any sit ups
I MEAN IT
In the UK the midwife would check you, and tell you
do you have that in USA?
or maybe a medic that checks you in stages going on after the birth?

BASICALLY you feel down the line from your navel, pes with 2 fingers, pretty hard... there should be NO spaces or gaps when you press.
Once that gap is CLOSED you can do sits ups etc
if you do them sooner you wull get stuck like that
(and I'm not joking now)

Congratulations on your baby!

Aloha L.,

I had a c-section with my 3rd baby. The doctors told me not to do any physical activity for 6 weeks to allow my body to heal. Of course, I'm not good at doing what doctors say! Since we were moving back to Hawaii one month after his birth, I had a lot of packing and moving of boxes to do. The boxes were definitally heavy. I never picked up a box, but pushed them across the floor slowly. After the 6 weeks, then I went walking everyday with the stroller. Doing that simple activity made my stomach shrink and the weight come off. From the sound of it, 6 weeks is the recommended wait time for any form of exercise including yoga, pilates, jogging, weights, etc.

I hope this helps,

Marie-anne
Children's Health & Wellness Advocate

Hi L.:
The best advice is to go by your doctor's release which for c-sections is usually 8 weeks. There is a chance you have come back to fast and too soon. Please listen to your body and progress slowly. Let me know if you have any questions, I would love to help!

F.

I didn't have a c-section but I had my second child three months ago and I can assure you your old body WILL come back if once you get back to your regular routine.

It does however take time!!!! Be patient. It may take anywhere from 6 months to a year. Even the flat belly comes back (if you had one before).

Be easy on yourself! Enjoy motherhood!!

The rule is 6 weeks, but my md gave me the ok after 4 weeks. your are just supposed to listen tp your body and if you have a cramp that means stop. definitely ask your doctor. Exercising too soon can compromise your incision. Nik

I have had a cesarean section and I am a labor and delivery nurse. Like the other woman said, you need to wait a least 6 weeks, 8 is better. They have to cut through a lot of layers with a c/section. You basically heal from the inside out. You do not want to risk the inside sutures opening up, then you will be out for a lot longer. Listen to your body, and if it starts to hurt, stop. It took me a good 8 weeks to be pain free, but abdominal work took longer. I gained 65 pounds with my daughter and lost it all in 6 months...Be patient ad just enjoy your baby....Good Luck

I've had 4 c-sections and I'm an avid runner who loves pilates. With each baby I've asked when I can get back to my pre-pregnancy routine. Everytime the doc (4 different docs) have said the same thing: no exerxise for at least 6 weeks!! Basically the pregnancy, and then the c-section specifically, moves around all the organs inside your body and it takes about 6 weeks for them all to move back to where they should be. It can be very dangerous to exercise before they are back where they should be. If you start cramping or excessive bleeding stop whatever it is you're doing.

When I pushed the doc after baby #3 he said I could "stroll" as fast as I could comfortably push the stroller, NOT as fast and my husband could push it! If you give your body time to recover, getting back in shape will be easier.

Now, after having done this four times I can assure you what my doc told me is true! I gained 46, 49, 47 and 43 pounds resepctively with each of my four kids and I managed to lose it all eash time, with reasonable diet and reasonable exercise. I have no idea what your body type is, but my experience has essentially been to gain around 45 pounds when I'm pregnant (regardless of how much I eat or exercise!) and then lose 20 pounds the first week and then it takes me anywhere from 7 months to 12 months to work off the rest (after #2 I didn't start running till he was 4 months old and I wasn't comfortable with my body again till he was a year old, with the others I started sooner and finished sooner).

An unsolicited piece of advice I'll give you because it was the best advice given to me after I had my first baby: get yourself a girdle. Yes, a lycra 40's girdle!! I know it sounds stupid but with all the extra skin pulling on the incision I felt like I couldn't walk without my insides falling out (it was easier the more c-sections I had). The doc said if a woman would wear a girdle the first couple months after having a baby all the stretched out extra skin would go back where it's supposed to be. I've had 4 kids (ages 11 to 3) and I look better than I did in high school! Give it a try.

Good Luck!

My daughter had a C-section and experienced the
same type of pain in her incision site upon resuming her exercise routine. This was after at least six weeks since her C-section. She had to stop and wait additional time before
starting up again. Maybe decreasing the incline and not
cycling for now might help. Your body is your best indicator
along with your doctor's advice as to when to start up again.

I think that you should listen to your body. If you are having any pain at the incision site then I think you need to slow down. I had a c-section with my son and I thought I was going to go crazy not being able to work out. But believe me, your body just went through not only a major process of carrying a baby for 9 months, but you also had MAJOR surgery! I think my doctor told me 6 weeks before I could work out but talk to your own doctor before you do any serious working out. If you don't heed advice by your doctor you could possibly get hernias and rupture the inside suturing (spelled right?). Even though it looks like the outside is healed the inside is still doing it's job.

Hey L. W,

I remember when my mom had her C-section, she waited at least six to seven months before she started to really do any heavy exercise. However, she walked the second month every day. My C-section was a little different, I could hardly walk the first months the hospital let me go home. I was having problems with the staples, but the third month was easy for me because I started walking around the house and gradually I went walking around the block with my mom. The fourth month I was able to walk by myself and walk faster. The thing is you may be pushing yourself too hard, don't use the treadmil just yet. Try to walk around the block, start out slow. Our body knows what it can and can not take. So, Pace yourself. Don't over do it.

I had a c-section, but to tell you the truth I did not have the energy to start up an exercise regime right away. I took my son on walks outdoors after he was 4 weeks and not consistently til he was probably about 6 weeks. Then at about 2 to 3 months I started "running" (if you could call it that) and walking with him. I wouldn't recommend doing any ab stuff until you ask a doctor. Don't worry the weight will come off, but you have to be patient, it takes awhile. For me, I really started to lose weight around 6 months postpartum which I think had alot to do with healthy diet, consistent running, and breastfeeding. In fact, I now weigh less than before I got pregnant and even less than when I was running in college!

Hi L.,
Congratulations on your little boy!
I can understand your need to get back to your excercize routine. But your surgeon should have advised you on this. Typically, after any invasive abdominal surgery, it is advised to wait at least 6 weeks before resuming a normal routine. I would be very suprised if using the bike was okay until at least 4 to 6 weeks. Walking is usually good after surgery, but not necessarily a vigorous walk. Please DO talk to your doctor ASAP and follow their advise. You really don't want to do any damage that can't be undone.

B

Dearest L., Give yourself 6 weeks before trying to get back in shape. Your body has been through a beautiful trama.
Honor that. B. B

I appreciate your desire to get back to pre-pregancy shape however you have to recognize that you experienced MAJOR surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago and your doctor should have told you that you shouldn't be doing anything like you are describing for at least 6 to 8 weeks!!!! Before doing any exercise you should have clearance from your doctor, you may have ruptured your internal stitches. If you do not allow the incision to heal completely you may cause yourself long term damage. Even if you had delivered vaginally you would have to allow you body a chance to recover.

Relax and enjoy your baby and being a new mother.

You sound like me. The more active you were during pg, the more active you can be after... your body is used to it. Your doc will tell you not to do anything till 6 or 8 weeks post partum, but sounds like you alraedy are. I couldn't wait that long either, drove me nuts. Just take it easy so you don't mess anything up. You want to heal now, otherwise you'll have long term issues that won't heal completely. I did a lot of pilates & yoga, walking...You knowyour body better than your doc, good luck, but do take it slow.

Hi L.,

I just had my son almost six weeks ago via c-section. You can walk, push the stroller as long as you don't over-do yourself. I don't recommend weights or ab exercise until at least 5 or six weeks after. Believe me, you'll feel it a few hours later and you might get a scare like I did. I though my guts were going to fall out.
You have to listen to your body. I know you're anxious to get back to "normal" but you have to keep in mind that you just had a major surgery and getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight might take a little more time than you anticipated.

Hi L.!
I've had 2 c-sections in the past 2 years. I couldn't wait to work out but my Dr. told me to wait 6 weeks. He said it was entirely up to me but if I pushed myself I could set myself back even further. Just walk for now until your Dr. releases you to do a normal workout.
Good luck, L.

Wait at least 8 weeks (with Dr. permission) and then go at a comfortable pace from there. Ab work can feel awkard even up to a year. Hold off on sit ups/etc.. until they feel OK.

With both of my kids (both c-sections) I began walking with a jogger way too early and paid a price (about 2 weeks post partum) - I wanted to get out! With my next I will start walking as soon as I feel I can but won't start running until at least 8 weeks or more post partum.

Don't stress about your post prego body. The weight will come off.

**Adding this on: I missed what you said about already using the treadmill and bike. STOP! Treadmill - MAYBE, with NO INCLINE!!!! Bike, NO! I'm not a Dr. but seriously, if you start out too soon/too hard, you will possibly end up injuring yourself and not be able to do anything! Enjoy your baby, you will have plenty of time to get that body back!

Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy,
M.

Hey L.,
I went through the same thing. I also wanted more. I moved here from NYC with my husband when we found out we were going to have a baby. I was an aerobic instructor/personal trainer before becoming pregnant. I created a class that I teach here called Bounce Bebe. I now teach it on Fridays at Kona Yoga and I just released a DVD. It incorporates a fitness ball to target your core and your baby serves as the weight. Check out my web-site www.bouncebebe.com and see if it is something you would be interested in. If so, we would love to have you in the class. A lot of fun!
Take care & hang in there...it does get better!
P.K.

i was very anxious to get my pre-baby body back as well with my third child and now in retrospect i see how much time i wasted doing that and not just spending my first 6 weeks post-op completely adoring my beautiful baby - i can never regain that time. i also had only 10-15 lbs to get rid of. my 4th child is now 3 1/2 mos. and even though i am speed walking 3-4x's per week and doing yoga 2x per week, i still have that 10lbs on me. i have been told some women hold on to that amount of weight until breast feeding is done too, so i am just trying not to think about me and just adore my lovely girl. my incision site bothered me and sometimes still does at the sides, never in the middle so i take it easy with ab stuff. i do the plank position in yoga but no heavy duty scrunch type stuff. but take this time to focus on your beautiful gift and not you - and i say that with caring =)

Congrats on your baby! Also if you've lost 25 lbs already less than a month after he was born you are doing well. The most important thing is to check w/ your doctor about what you can handle physically. Usually they recommend 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery before resuming strenuous exercise so it's probably at least an 8-week period after a C-section. But every mom is different so this conversation w/ your doctor, especially because you're experiencing pain at the incision site, is CRUCIAL. That said, once the doc allows you to resume exercise, start slowly and build up gradually. Your body is still full of the hormones that relax your connective tissues so it is easy to injure yourself in the beginning. Finally, if you are not familiar with Stroller Strides, I highly recommend it. www.strollerstrides.net -- check it out for class locations near you. This is a cardio & strength-training workout designed for moms pushing strollers. The workouts are scaled to different levels of fitness, it's easy to dial up the difficulty level as you are feeling up to it and the instructors are trained in workouts for postpartum (and pregnant!) women. It's also a great way to socialize with other new moms (hugely important resource when you're a first-time parent!) and as your children grow they become friends with the other kids in the class! Plus you will set a great example for your child because as he grows he will see you exercising regularly. Great, great program. But if you choose another workout, good luck and have fun with it. Just definitely have a detailed conversation with your doctor first!

Don't do ANYTHING yet! You need time to heal. You wouldn't want your incision to open and have to have more surgery. You have to remember that it took 9 months to put the weight on and it's not just going to fall off, (except for super models and other freaks of nature :) ). Just enjoy your baby and look at your body as a thing of beauty. After all, you just performed a miracle of sorts. You can start exercising after your six week check up, if your doctor gives you the green light. Congratulations on your baby! :)

I had my 1st child at 35,a c-section and 2 more before 40.I've always been active all my life.
You know your body,go slow and do what you can.Just keep moving.

Good Luck S.,Mom of 3,

I'm an OB nurse and we tell our moms not to exercise for at least 6 weeks. It took you 40 weeks to gain the weight and it's not good to try and be back in shape in just a few weeks. You've had surgery. You shouldn't be lifting anything heavier than your baby. Walking is acceptable. I'm amazed you lost 20 pounds after delivery unless you had a 20 lb child. The baby and placenta usually don't weigh more than 8-10 lbs depending on the size of the baby. If you had a scheduled c-section you usually get a couple IV bags prior to the surgery then one with Pitocin post op and then LR for another 24 hours till you're able to tolerate food. That can cause a little weight gain. If you're breast feeding you'll notice mild cramping when you nurse your baby and this will help trim your tummy but you still have to eat a healthy diet. Just take it easy and give it time. You sound like someone who doesn't want to be overweight so take care of yourself and don't try to lose it overnight. Give your body a chance to heal and recover. Call your doctor for sure but 6 weeks is usually the time frame to ease back into an exercise routine. Good luck.

I was told No excersize until my Dr examined me at the 6 week check up. Then he told me to start very slow and no hard ab work until 3 months after the c-section. He reminded me I had major surgery and that the incision was a hole right into the "guts of my abdomin" and that he didn't want me to tear anything.

BTW if you are concerned about weight gain try an keep up the nursing (if you chose that route) as much as possible. You can burn up to an extra 500 cal a day!

Just my experience,
G.

I think I have to agree with most of your other responses. Take it easy right now. You'll have plenty of time to loose that weight. I've read many reports that it's more important to get that sleep as opposed to getting in a "workout" at this early stage. Your body needs to heal. My incision sight got infected because I was doing too much too soon. It was my body's way of saying "slow down" and I did. I was able to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight by 5 1/2 months. Breastfeeding, I think was a big part of it, and just eating healthy. My son is now 10 1/2 months and I am now 5 lbs under my best pre-pregnancy weight when I was training for triathlons. Just take care of yourself & your beautiful baby right now, you'll have plenty of time later to workout, but these early moments with your baby will fly by...way too quickly. Good luck & Take Care!

L.,
I have had 2 c-sections. 3 1/2 weeks is very early. You are not even supposed to lift anything haevier than 10 pounds until 3 weeks after the c-section. You should have a 6 week appt. with your doctor and at that point he/she will probably release you to full exercise. You have just had a major abdominal surgery. YOU should give your body a chance to heal and waiting the full 6 weeks isn't going to set you back any. Relax, and enjoy being a mommy. Rest, and nourish yourself. It will be time soon enough for you to start your exercise routine. Congrats on your new baby boy.

Hi L.,
I have had two c-sections. My advice would be for you to listen to your body and certainly don't do anything too strenuous before 6 weeks. Please give your body adequate time to heal. You will get back in shape. You seem to be very driven. Don't worry. Your body has been through major surgery in addition to the sudden hormone changes, lack of sleep, and the added responsibility of caring for your baby. Give yourself a break and just take care of yourself and your baby. Three and a half weeks is too soon.

You can start doing isometric exercises right away. You can do this all the time. This is just holding your stomach in. You can also do vacuums. You can do vacuums standing and when you feel ready you can do them on your hands and knees. To do a vacuum you blow out all of your air, then suck your stomach in as if you were to pull your belly button into your spine, then hold it in tight and be sure to breath, every 15 seconds suck it it some more until you reach 1 minute.
Have fun!! You can do this while driving, watching tv, etc.
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at ____@____.com
C. :)

I had a c-section and as much as you want to get your body back please take it easy. Its good that your body has started losining some weight but you have to let your body heal. It took me over a month just so I could really walk a long distance without any pain or cramping. Don't over due your body I think you can really hurt yourself. If you have cramping try just walking and as for all that jogging and ab work that might be a couple of monthes you have to think that you just had surgery. and would you be doing all this excersize after surgery.

Talk to your doctor. This is surgery & you don't want to overdo it & cause problems for yourself. Hey it's an incision in your belly! Pain or discomfort is a sign to lighten up. You don't mention your age, but the older we get, the longer it takes. Reality is that you won't get your perfect pre-pregnancy body back. The Hollyweird stars who look as good or better after a pregnancy have armies of people with airbrushes!You will be beautiful, & you will realize that you look beautiful now with all the curves. Keep walking & don't be a couch potato, although it doesn't sound like you have any risk of that. But give your body time to heal. You'll appreciate that later! And Congrats on your lil new baby man!
PEACE & LOVE
M.

I am a physician and have experienced two C-sections myself. While I understand the desire to get your pre-preganancy body back ASAP, I would recommend exercising caution for at least the first 6 weeks post-op. This means no heavy lifting (over 10 lbs.) and no straining of the incision. Remember that the incision you see is only the superficial skin portion - the underlying fascia has also been cut and is healing. If you "rip" this fascia by overly strenuous exercise early on, you could end up with a hernia. After 6 weeks, wounded tissue has gained about 50% of its eventual strength. Walking is great exercise during this time. Definitely no sit-ups or strenuous abdominal exercise. Listen to your body and if what you're doing hurts, back off and try something else. Good luck and congratulations on your beautiful baby!

Thats something I would definetly contact my Dr about

You MUST wait until at least 6-8 weeks for a C-section although longer would be better. Although you may not think that you are doing anything wrong, you will end up doing some major damage on the inside. PLEASE!!!! Wait... I totally understand your desire to get back in shape. I have been tormenting myself and wanting to finish what I started. I had lost 105 pounds naturally before becoming pregnant and was only 50 pounds from my goal weight when I ended up pregnant and it has taken its tole on my emotionally, but I didn't want to not be able to workout or have another child. So just wait! You can WALK and that is at a slow pace and NOT up hill!