Exercise after a c section

bacon_bacon_bacon
bacon_bacon_bacon Posts: 15 Member
edited November 23 in Fitness and Exercise
My c section was 5 weeks ago. I'm looking for advice from those who have had one previously. What exercises worked best for you? Or what exercises to avoid? I've been going for walks but I want to have other options too.

Replies

  • hekla90
    hekla90 Posts: 595 Member
    That sounds like a great question for your doctor. They can guide you on what's appropriate and when since they've been taking care of you.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    edited September 2015
    5 weeks, absolutely nothing. Take it easy and let your body recover. After your next appointment, which I assume will happen in a week or so, let your dr check how you are healing and take it from there. For me, the instructions where to ease back into running at about 2 months, no heavy lifting, no exercises stressing the abs until 6 months.
    Do not experiment, I had once a stitch open and it is not something you want to try, trust me...
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    It's been a long time since my C-section but I'm pretty sure my instructions were for the first 6 weeks no strenuous exercise and lifting nothing heavier than the baby (and mine was a chunk!). Personally, I'd wait until you get cleared by your doctor before doing anything beyond walking. You'll sideline yourself for even longer if you do something foolish and get hurt.

    You don't need to exercise to lose weight. Focus on getting enough rest, which is a big component of weight loss, and watching your calories. Breast feeding burns extra calories so for now you should probably figure that as your "exercise" calories and just focus on taking care of yourself and your baby.
  • bud08
    bud08 Posts: 9 Member
    I have had 3 c-sections, do not rush yourself! I wasn't cleared till 12 weeks. I did however take lots of walks. I am 8 month pp right now and some of the ab workouts still kill me.
  • jvs125
    jvs125 Posts: 223 Member
    I had 2 c-sections; was cleared for exercise after 6 weeks for both. I specifically told my doctor that I was very active before and wanted to know just how much exercising I could do and how intense. I was told that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I listened to my body if anything hurt.

    I'd say wait for your post partum check up and don't be afraid to discuss specifics with your doctor.

    I took a spinning class with baby that had a core strength component, that was the first exercise I did right at 6 weeks, for about 2 months. After, I incorporated more intense stuff like boot camps and Insanity. After my 2nd, I couldn't take classes anymore because I had the baby and the toddler, so I turned to workout dvd's. Jillian Michaels 30 day shred was a great starting point because of the time constraints I had.
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