C-Sections and Crunches

AlanaDumas
AlanaDumas Posts: 6 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello. So I did crunches for the first time in forever yesterday. I did two types: one with legs down, knees bent and the other with legs up knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Anyways, I could feel the burn in all areas of my abs, including my C-section scar. I'm guessing just scar tissue pulling? It has been two years since I had my kid and I haven't attempted exercise since. Plus, today I only feel sore in my upper abs.
So why does my C-section pull and what ab exercises can I do that are effective for lower abs? You know, that part that hangs over your pants line. Thanks everybody!!!!

Replies

  • PinkGemini612
    PinkGemini612 Posts: 63 Member
    I have had 2 C Sections. The latest being 5 1/2 years ago. It has only been recently that I haven't noticed feeling it. It was a sensitive area for years! I don't have any advice. Just wanted to comment on the pain!
  • dandelyon
    dandelyon Posts: 620 Member
    Might be scar adhesions - I've seen suggestions for using vitamin E oil (massaged into the skin around the area) to help free things up. My ICAN chapter had a meeting on scar motility, or learning how to massage your scar area and try to keep adhesions from occurring, but I didn't see anything helpful on Google.
  • tlcarolinagirl
    tlcarolinagirl Posts: 1,700 Member
    I had a c-section 10 years ago and sometimes when I do the crunch where I pull my legs up, I feel the burning pain right in the scar. I just ignore it and keep going. As soon as I am done, it goes away, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.
  • msaestein1
    msaestein1 Posts: 264 Member
    hi Alana. A trainer told me to start with planks. I had the same issues. Once you can master the plank for about a 60 sec hold, you will be able to do anything. Start on your knees if you have to, then work up to on your toes. Also, Jillian Michael's Six Week Six pack really helped me as well in building that area. Its a combo of core training and cardio. Its about 30 mins. long. Perfect for moms. Level II is intense. Stick to level 1 until you have the strength since its been a while since you worked out. Good luck!
  • MamaFunky
    MamaFunky Posts: 735 Member
    My last c-section was 7-1/2 years ago and I have no issues with my scar area anymore. For the first few years I could feel a pain and numbness around the scar, but that has gone away. I guess it just takes time for that area to heal after going through all that muscle tissue etc.

    Good luck and I hope it feels better soon!!
  • broox80
    broox80 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I am still sensitive as well and I had my C-Section 15 months ago.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Hello. So I did crunches for the first time in forever yesterday. I did two types: one with legs down, knees bent and the other with legs up knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Anyways, I could feel the burn in all areas of my abs, including my C-section scar. I'm guessing just scar tissue pulling? It has been two years since I had my kid and I haven't attempted exercise since. Plus, today I only feel sore in my upper abs.
    So why does my C-section pull and what ab exercises can I do that are effective for lower abs? You know, that part that hangs over your pants line. Thanks everybody!!!!

    Pretty sure the burning was just your abs working. With the scar it probably was just stretching a bit as obviously tighter in that area. I'm not sure if you have surgical mesh when you have a C-section or not, but that could be part of the feeling as well.

    Leg raises for beginners & hanging leg raises for more advanced will work the lower abs.

    Although if you have a high amount of fat in the area, I strongly suggest you concentrate on your calorie intake along with compound exercises more than isolation exercises for the abs. This is where you will see results.

    I very rarely do any isolation of abs, perhaps a plank every once in a while. It will take a while to loose the fat in the area depending where your body is programed to there and for the skin to rebound assuming you have some to lose, but that is the nature of the beast.
  • AlanaDumas
    AlanaDumas Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks everybody...the next day I didn't feel any pain around my scar only pain in my upper abs so I guess that ended up being the only place I was really working out. I have the classic small buldge right below my rib cage, my tummy slightly thins right around my waist and then totally buldges out by below my belly button. I can't find any ab exercises that will make me feel anything in that big buldge below my belly button. It's like I have absolutely no muscle there! Which is fine, I could care less about muscle right now...I just want the fat gone! Later when I am skinny and bored I will work on muscle and tone. Any suggestions on pure fat burning for that area?
  • PinkGemini612
    PinkGemini612 Posts: 63 Member
    Unfortunately you can not pick where the fat comes off! Eat a clean diet and work out hard and you will get there!

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