Pregnancy & Baby Index: Pregnancy - Postpartum: Back in Shape: Abdominal exercises after a c-section
Abdominal exercises after a c-section
Lisa Stone
After a cesarean section, how can you get your abdomen back in shape? Lisa Stone, an ACE-certified Pre-and Post-Natal Fitness Instructor, has some suggestions to consider along with your caregiver's advice.
Your question
What strengthens the stomach muscles after a c-section? - Sharon C, California
The expert answers
Sharon,
You can begin doing isometric abdominal contractions as soon as your baby is
born. Combine those with Kegel exercises to get the maximum benefit. Also,
be aware of holding in your stomach *all the time* - that's a great
strengthener!
When your baby is at least 4 weeks old, you can begin doing more traditional
abdominal exercises. You'll first want to check to make sure you don't have
any separation of the main abdominal muscle that runs vertically down your
torso (if you need instructions on how to check for separation, look here).
Assuming everything's okay there, start with modified
crunches: lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor;
place one hand behind each ear with elbows pointing out to the sides and
chin lifted toward the ceiling; tilt your pelvis slightly so that your lower
back is pressing into the floor; take a deep breath in, and, as you exhale,
lift your head off the floor, tightening the muscles in your abdomen and
pulling your belly button in toward your backbone; inhale as you lower your
head. Start with 8-12 repetitions. Gradually increase the number of
repetitions to 3 sets of 12. As you feel stronger, make the exercise more
challenging by lifting your head and your shoulder blades off the floor
with each repetition. Visualize scooping out your abdomen as you tighten
the muscles.
To target the lower part of the abdomen, try the following exercise: lie on
your back with knees bent and feet lifted off the floor so that your shins
are parallel to the floor (this is your starting position); place one hand
behind each ear with elbows pointing out to the sides and chin lifted toward
the ceiling; tilt your pelvis slightly so that your lower back is pressing
into the floor; take a deep breath in, and, as you exhale, lift your hips
slightly off the floor, tightening the muscles in the lower part of your
abdomen (make sure to use your tummy muscles and not your buttocks!); inhale
as you return to the starting position. Start with 8-12 repetitions.
Gradually increase the number of repetitions to 3 sets of 12. As you feel
stronger, increase the difficulty by lifting your head and shoulders off the
floor at the same time you lift your hips.
To target the waistline and really flatten the tummy, you'll need to work
your obliques: lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor;
place one hand behind each ear with elbows pointing out to the sides and
chin lifted toward the ceiling; tilt your pelvis slightly so that your lower
back is pressing into the floor; take a deep breath in, and, as you exhale,
lift your right shoulder blade diagonally toward your left knee (visualize
peeling your shoulder blade off the floor toward the opposite knee); inhale
as your return to the starting position; repeat on the other side. Start
with 8-12 repetitions. Gradually increase the number of repetitions to 3
sets of 12.
These should get you started!
Lisa :)