Working out after a Csection

Spider · 03-30-2007, 03:41 PM

It's been almost 7 weeks since I had my csection (baby is now home and doing great, he gained a pound in a week and is up to 7lbs, 12 oz) and I'm ready to do a bit more than just walking and cleaning

,.

I asked my OB at my post partum checkup today if Iwas clear to work out, and explained that my husband's fitness center does Crossfit, which uses a lot of weight-based training (medicine balls, kettle bells, squat lifts...). The OB said to wait on doing any squats or over head lifts, but crunches would be okay. Now I have about as much faith in him as I can throw him ( but it was a bit late to change), so I'm wondering what others have done in the past or been told.

I've been doing all my "normal" stuff, vacuuming, mopping, raking the garden, lifting way more than the baby's weight... without any pain or issues.

DarkAngel · 03-30-2007, 04:18 PM

I think I was told twelve weeks before I could do any real ab exercises. However, I was sent home with a sheet of modified ones that I was supposed to start doing from almost day one. I believe the book Lose Your Mummy Tummy has info on the best exercises to start with post c-section.

He's home?!?! Yay!! I'm glad to hear he is doing so well!

belicious · 03-30-2007, 05:56 PM

I bought the book "The Essential C-Section Guide" by Maureen Connolly and there is a chapter on post-c-section workouts. I also bought the DVD Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates for post pregnancy and c-section recovery, and it looks pretty good too. Best Wishes to you! You sound like you are doing great already....

RedCatWaves · 03-30-2007, 07:06 PM

I think weight lifting exercises should be approached with caution for the first 3-6 months after delivery, especially if you are breastfeeding. The hormones that loosen joints in pregnancy are still circulating around for a while.

Sounds like you are feeling fine though...so do whatever feels comfortable to you.

curly_keltie · 03-30-2007, 08:13 PM

I don't know about you - but you will definitely feel when you are doing too much. That is how I knew I was over exerting myself.

Spider · 03-31-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedCatWaves

I think weight lifting exercises should be approached with caution for the first 3-6 months after delivery, especially if you are breastfeeding. The hormones that loosen joints in pregnancy are still circulating around for a while.

That's a good point about the ligaments. I did the warmup today and felt pretty good, some things were easier than others. My incision only hurts right now because my husband kneed me in it. He also teaches self-defense and I asked him to show me a ground move (I was the attacker trying to pin him down) and he accidentally misjudged my distance and got me.

inheritedcurls · 04-03-2007, 10:27 AM

My doctor release me to work out after 6 weeks but told me to keep it modified for awhile. I was still too sore to run so I did the elliptical runner and a modified weight work out.

Just be careful and listen to your body. Your body is still healing from major surgery.