Working out after a C-section

[susanbbb]

Hello ladies,

I had a c-section almost 12 weeks ago and I wanted to know how long should I wait to start exercising normally. I’ve been doing light floor work, no crunches or hard exercise. I’ve been searching on the internet and there are no guidelines for when it’s ok to do so. I read somewhere that because a c-section is a mayor surgery that 9 months is a good time to start hard exercise. What are y’all a experiences?

 

[davidmark]

@susanbbb Did your doctor give you any guidance? I also had a c-section and was cleared for exercise right at 6 weeks. My recovery has been really good and I was walking 3-4 miles by week 3 postpartum, so I felt comfortable going back to yoga, Pilates, and running relatively quickly. However, I’m still modifying a lot and taking it slow compared to how I used to do these workouts. I’m 8 weeks out now and started weight training again this week (again, everything pretty light to start). I’d say just do what you feel is comfortable/safe for your body!

 

[xamot]

@susanbbb I was cleared by my doctor at 6 weeks to go about my regular exercise routine. He said to “just listen to your body”. I was still definitely too sore to go about any vigorous cardio or core workout though. Now I am at almost 5 months pp and I finally feel like I can go back to working out like I did before pregnancy and feel comfortable running.

 

[puzzles]

@susanbbb Your doctor should have been able to tell you at your 6wk appt. if you’re not sure, just give them a call and visit. We can never be too sure.

 

[susanbbb]

@puzzles I did call and still waiting to hear back,

 

[valeriyk2022]

@susanbbb Agreed with comments here, listen to your body and try to get feedback from your doctor. Agreed my first I was playing volleyball again at 5 weeks post partum (albeit, modified to be fairly low impact). I'm having another c-section with#2, due in a couple of weeks and hope to follow the same rhythm: starting with walking and increasing intensity as I feel comfortable.

 

[susanbbb]

@valeriyk2022 He told me that I was clear to workout normally again but I still have light stretch pain in my lower abdomen so I’ll wait. It’s definitely important to listen to your body.

 

[that_guy_you_are]

@susanbbb There is a great way to help with the scar tissue mobility of the c section. It’s called skin rolling and easily YouTube’d. We also have a post on Instagram on skin rolling (

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

)

 

[susanbbb]

@that_guy_you_are Thank you. I’m following your channel now

 

[that_guy_you_are]

@susanbbb I agree with listening to your body and to go slowly and light. The deal is though that your body no matter c section or vaginal delivery went through a lot of changes in positioning and muscle releasing for baby to grow and develop. I emphasize that all women need to work on their deep core muscles before returning to regular routines that your doctor typically says you are cleared for anything. That’s not actually true because it takes longer for recovery and we need to be more intentional about what exercises we do and how soon we progress. It’s an individual process but can be guided. I am a pelvic health specialist and focus on recovery postpartum and also at any stage of life. The biggest take away is to find a source near you that helps teach you the correct focused attention to muscles and then work into your normal workout routine when you’ve allowed that process to support you while you advance exercises.