Ab work and c-sections, please let me know if you have any i

Sarah101010

Ab work and c-sections, please let me know if you have any insight!

Hello! I am having my 4th c-section in June and am wondering if it is pointless to do ab work until then (for the next few months or so). My husband is going to buy Insanity and I would like to try it too (within reason, of course). Also, I have some new workout dvds and I know some of the exercises focus on abs. If you have any knowledge in this area, please share! Thanks so much, and I hope that your mfp experience has been as fabulous as mine has been!

TrainingWithTonya

From my Pre/Post Natal Certification, I don't recommend ab work for pregnant women. There's just too much conflicting research on how much stress it puts on the baby for it to be worth the risk for me. Exercise is a good idea though, so if you can do it within your limits by all means, do. Here is a general breakdown of restrictions, contraindications, and recommendations for pregnant women who want to exercise. I'm copying it from where I had typed it up with formatting, which doesn't carry over to posts on MFP so I apologize if it is hard to read without the spaces between headings and lines.

Absolute Contraindications
During a healthy pregnancy, exercise should be an important part of your life. If, however, any of the following Absolute Contraindications are present, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends NO exercise program should be preformed:
Preterm rupture of membranes
Premature labor during a prior or current pregnancy, or both
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure)
Persistent second or third trimester bleeding
Incompetent cervix
Intrauterine growth retardation
Relative Contraindications
If any of the following Relative Contraindications are present, consult your Physician to determine the appropriate exercise program for you:
High blood pressure
Thyroid disease
Irregular heart beat
Obesity
History of precipitous labor
History of bleeding during pregnancy
Heart or pulmonary disease
History of spontaneous abortion or miscarriage
Vascular disease
Anemia
Diabetes
Breech in last trimester
Extremely underweight
History of intrauterine growth retardation
Extremely sedentary
Placenta previa
Multiple births
Excessive weight gain during the second or third trimester
Basic Guidelines for Strength Training
Women possessing any of the ACOG contraindications for aerobic exercise (see above) during pregnancy should not participate in strength training
No ballistic movements should be employed during pregnancy, and supine positions should be avoided after the first trimester.
Pregnant women experience joint and connective tissue laxity, raising their susceptibilty for injury while performing resistance exercises.
Emphasize proper form and good posture.
An adequate warm-up is strongly recommended.
Women should be encouraged to breathe normally during strength training. Oxygen delivery to the placenta may be reduced during breath-holding.
Maximal lifts and heavy resistances should be avoided, especially after the first trimester when increasing amounts of the hormone relaxin are present. Because relaxin increases tissue laxity, the performance of heavy lifts later in pregnancy may increase the risk of injury to the joints, connective tissue, and skeletal structures.
An exercise set consisting of at least 12 to 15 repetitions without undue fatigue should ensure that the resistance level is not too great during any particular strength exercise.
A strength training workout consisting of a single set of a series of exercises, collectively involving all of the major muscle groups, should be performed 2 times per week.
As a training effect occurs, it is recommended that overload be achieved initially by increasing the number of repetitions and, subsequently, by increasing the amount of resistance. Use slow progression.
Strength training on machines is generally preferred to using free weights since machines tend to require less skill and can be more easily controlled. Machines require less balance, which is challenged later in pregnancy.
Choose activities that limit risk of abdominal trauma.
If a particular strength exercise produces pain or discomfort, it should be discontinued and an alternate exercise should be performed. Recognize that body changes can affect blance and coordination.
Avoid hot and humid exercise environments and hydrate well.
A pregnant woman should listen to her body and modify exercises appropriately. She should immediately consult her physician if any of the following warning signs or complications appear: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or cramping, ruptured membranes, elevated blood pressure, or lack of fetal movement.
Basic Guidelines for Cardiovascular Exercise
Exercise goals should be discussed with a physician.
Do not begin a vigorous exercise program shortly before or during pregnancy.
Gradually reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise during the second and third trimesters.
Avoid exercise when the temperature and / or humidity is high.
Tru to run or walk on flat, even surfaces.
Wear supportive shoes while walking or running during pregnancy.
If running becomes uncomfortable during the second and third trimesters, try other forms of aerobic exercise, such as swimming, running in water, and bicycling.
Extend warm-up and cool-down periods.
Body temperature, which should not exceed 100 degrees F, shoudl be taken immediately after exercise. If body temperature exceeds, 100 degrees F, modifying intensity and duration, as well as exercising during the cooler part of the day, should help.
Use the rating of perceived exertion scale rather than heart rate to monitor exercise intensity. Choose an intensity that is comfortable; a pounding heart rate, breathlessness, or dizziness are indicators that intensity should be reduced.
Eat a small snack before exercise to help avoid hypoglycemia.
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.
Avoid overstretching or going beyond normal range of motion.
Any unusual physical changes, such as vaginal bleeding, severe fatigue, joint pain, or irregular heart beats, should immediately be reported to a physician.
Focus on endurance cardio instead of intense cardio.

ladysvs

My gynecologist said no when I was preggers with my second but everyone is different! I've had 2 c-sections.

NYIceQueen

I was told no abs while pregnant for both my babies; HOWEVER, with my first one I had no restrictions so I was still dancing ballet until my 6th month, which at least works "core" muscles without the extra strain.

Ask your OB/GYN but you could do aqua classes. Some of those exercises will still engage your core some without stressing the baby.

ALWAYS ask you OB/GYN because they know you and your pregnancy better than any of us.

As far as personal experience, I've had 2 Csections and a hysterectomy now. The first 4 wks couldn't even try anything. After that I slowly worked in ballet, some light pillates, etc...but crunches/situps were a bear for a long time. You just have to listen to your body and realize you're literally being sliced in half and that takes your body time to heal.

Good luck!

Sarah101010

Thanks so much for your responses! I really appreciate it!