If You've Had a C-section

I was able to get back to normal in a few months except for abdominal exercises. I still can't do crunches ( it aggravates scar tissue), but I can work on a machine at the gym.

6 weeks i got all clear and hit it hard from day 1. i did workouts till 33 weeks when i was only allowed to swim and i did that up to 5 days before Tabytha was born. I was walking dogs about a mile 2 weeks post-op and did some arms about that time as well

First of all - good luck with your endeavor! I know women who have started exercising within 3 weeks and those who waited till at least 6 months. The key is to do what is comfortable and don't exert your abdominal muscles until you feel ready to do so.

As for burning fat around your mid-section, sit-ups or any array or ab workout won't help. You cannot target areas to burn fat while working out. Your body lets go of excess fat as it sees fit. Proper food is going to be your best way to burn fat. Choose lean proteins, lots of fruits and veggies, and food high in omega oils 3 & 9. Omega 6 is good too, but you already get it in a lot of foods, so you don't want to get too much by adding more.

Workout: a cardio program like aerobics, biking, jogging at least three days a week. AND a structured weight training program. The more muscle you gain, the more calories your body naturally burns daily. So even though cardio will produce the fastest weight loss results, you need lean muscle to maintain the results...plus, a little bit of sculpting looks good on everyone!

6 months should be plenty of time, so if you've had a scan and everything looks good - I say get started! Take it easy and if it hurts, stop and work on something else.

Good luck!

I was walking and lifting things within a few weeks of both my csections. I really cant remember how long before I was doing situps and stuff. I just waited till i felt like i could handle it. I know my body and knew how much was to much. everyone is different so it just depends on you! You could always ask your childs dr, or even call your dr and see what they generally recommend. Good luck!

i have had three c- sections i was back to normal in 2 mths or less doing evrything i always did . you are good to do situps now just dont try to out do youreself when you feel pain slow it down . only yoou know youre body .. good luck !!!

I had a c-section and had horrible pain upon walking and execise. They ran all the tests in the book and decided that it was adhesions from the surgery. My son is 3 and the only exercise I can do is ride a bike or swim as EVERYTHING else causes my lower abdomen a lot of pain to the point that I almost can't walk. The pain isn't like being sore it feels more like someone ripping my incision apart. I suggest doing what you can but really listen to your body.
Good Luck!

I have had two c-sections and I started doing crunches after my six week appointment. My doctor told me just to start off slow. If you start to feel any pain then stop. He said you will feel some pain way before you do anything damaging to your incision. But I never felt pain at all. So I think after 6 months you should be good to go :)

Krys, Like you I was lifting, driving, you name it, right after my C-section. It wasn't until 10 day check-up when the doctor "cleared" me to do those things that I realized I shouldn't have done it. But, none of those things caused me pain so why not do it. I attended a pilates class all during my pregnancy - I switched the ab work to breathing and stretching - and then went back at my 6 week mark. Started back slowly, definately not at the place, pace, stage before I was preggers and I've never had a problem. Like others have said, the most important thing is listen to your body and take time to properly warm up, stretch, cool down and do a final stretch.

I would let your body tell you. Try a more intense workout than what you are doing now. If you feel good, you can step it up some more. If it feels bad, give it some more time. Your doctor can tell you what they recommend for everyone but you are the only judge of how you feel. At 6 weeks things should be healed well enough that you don't need to worry about injuring yourself. Keep in mind that situps will not reduce or burn belly fat- they will only tone the muscle underneath the belly fat! There are some modified exercises for postpartum moms out there- you can probably google and get some good abdominal workouts.

I was like you within days I was moving and doing my normal activities. My first I went back to work in 3 weeks bc I wasn't allowed maternity leave... I was doing everything normal including going to college on campus that very monday, had my baby on a tue. The second I had no help with my oldest so I was lifting her and cooking and cleaning just 5 days after my c-section. I was doing situps at about 3 months but got busy and stopped the routine. Joining a gym next month and my baby just turned 7 months... I finally got some extra cash! Let your body tell you how much is too much! Good luck!

i did have a c-section and in less then 3 months i begun a three day a week yoga practice. i think you have to listen to your body, as we are all different and heal differently.

I had issues with my c-sec so I cannot answer for me... but my cousin that had identical twin and carried full term with no bedrest... she started at 6 weeks but started slow. Think she started with walking and push ups. Then progressed to something harder.

Good luck on your returning to working out.

I had 2 c-sections and both times was told no exersize for 8 weeks but then I could go back to any exersize I wanted.

6 weeks is the standard. However my doctor also stress "listening to your body" since everyone's experience is different.

I was in the gym at 3 mon. Weightlifting, elliptical then step class and kickboxing. I had no trouble but everyone is different.

I was told upon leaving the hospital no abdominal exercises for 3 months. But I am sure by this point you are good to go. Just listen to your body and stop what you're doing if you feel anything weird or uncomfortable!