Sit ups and c-section

jlsmith4439

This be mostly a question for the ladies on here . I had a c -section 3 years ago and of course haven’t build up any muscle since then because I’m lazy . So now I started on sit ups and I’m in agony .
25 reps I was sore for 4 days..
Tried again I managed to do 5 before my lower half started to be in agony .

Not sure if this is a gp matter of basically me having no muscles . Anyone had similar experiences ? Does it get better ones I build up my muscles ?

ExistingFish

I had a c-section 5 years ago (and two more pregnancies, both vaginal deliveries) since. I honestly haven't done a sit up but I've done lots of planks and other core exercises and my abs have definitely been sore. Maybe try some different things besides sit ups? I haven't done a single one. I've done planks, side planks, bird dogs, planks with cable rows and planks with pull downs, cable wood chops, planks with feet on a ball....the list goes on. None have given me specific c-section area pain.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/want-a-stronger-core-skip-the-sit-ups

cwolfman13

Don't know anything about the c section thing, but I recommend NOT doing situps. It is a very sub-optimal movement and I think I'm being generous here. You'd be much better off doing planks, using an ab roller, hanging leg raises, etc.

julie_broadhead

I wouldn’t recommend sit ups either. I’d start with something geared towards diastasis recti (separation of the abdominals) just to introduce some gentle movement and get you core working again. Here is one that I like:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EXm5UcVXuEU
There is another post pregnancy video by the ladies at The Bump Room that you can do after this one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KzbvjewY-iE
After you can do that video without any pain, progress to planks, dead bugs, and toe taps.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VVMJDt_DwTs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=klQ2RSalzRU
Best wishes to you!

jlsmith4439

Wow I think it’s time to re-educate myself with basic stuff . Thank you everyone for all the help and tips !
I’m gonna try those now and toss the sit up idea 😂 ( clearly that’s not the way to go )

lorrpb

I haven't had a c section and I don't do sit ups!

sgt1372

Situps and crunches.are bad for your lower back and are absolutely unnecessary if you feel the need to do isolated exercises to strengthen your core.

I prefer compound lifts or exercises for this purpose (things like squats,deadlights and rowing) but, if you must, exercises like hanging leg raises would be much better.

Chieflrg

I had a long incision from my belly button down to my pelvic bone. So the opposite direction than a C-section. My abs show even at a higher body fat % like in my profile pic (17-19%) as a nearly 49 year old male.

The lower abs never returned exactly where they were pre surgeries. Pretty similar to what most c-section females experience

For what it's worth, I don't do any ab exercises but maybe 3-4 times a year and just do squats & deadlifts.

VUA21

I had a C-section as well, and am about to have lower abdominal surgery soon (tummy-tuck due to losing ~180lbs and the skin only partially shrinking back). I don't do situps. I do different abdominal exercises (figure 8's, plank crawls, russian twists, etc) that work out my abs but don't bother my old scar.