Postpartum abdominals

tangerine1126

I'm 4 months postpartum and sit-ups (which used to be cake for me) are still very hard on me. I've just been reading that you shouldn't dive back in to abdominal exercises postpartum. Should I do core exercises for a while before attempting sit-up/crunches again? What did you ladies do or what do you recommend? TIA

blu-eyedwife

Did you have a c-section?  I know recovery can be harder after that.  Otherwise I hadn't heard about not diving back in.  I've been doing ab-work since 6 weeks pp.

tangerine1126

Oh sorry I should have mentioned that. No, it wasn't a c-section.

I'm afraid I'm doing harm because I'm sore after just 10 sit-ups I'm super sore for 2-3 days (where before doing 4 consecutive sets of 30 wasn't a big deal). Maybe I just need to break them back in, haha

imurs8228

I had a c-section so it might not be comparable but at 8 wks pregnant I was told by my Dr. that I had excellent core muscles....fast forward to 6 months PP and I still can't do a plank without shaking.  So crappy.

reederah

Do you know if you had any muscle separation form your pregnancy? I know my midwife checked my abdominals to make sure they hadn't separated and gave me the go-ahead to get back to sit-ups right after I had my LO because they hadn't. I'd check with your OB and see what they say!

kimsy

A friend sent me this link not long ago. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan to after my C-section this time before I start doing more serious ab work. 

https://babyfit.sparkpeople.com/articles.asp?id=805 

If, like a previous poster mentioned, your abs didn't separate, it's probably just a matter of building up the strength to do more strenuous ab work. I know it took me a while to feel strong in the abs after DD.  

kg_08

DD is 18 months old and I still have to be careful, though my case is not normal. I CAN do crunches, but I don't want to strain myself too much because my stomach muscles actually never went totally back to where they were before.

Do other exercises to strengthen everything before heading into more "intense" workouts.

tangerine1126

Sorry I haven't replied, I've been too busy for the bump! About the abdominals stretching, I haven't had them professionally checked but I did the little finger-spacing test (like on this page:  https://www.babycenter.com/0_postpartum-exercise-is-your-body-ready_196.bc) and I was good at 2 weeks PP. I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in this, I guess it's pretty normal. I just keep hearing about these wonder women who jump right back in to normal exercise, etc. Thanks ladies!

KWood2011

Your baby is beautiful!

courtneyklv

I have been taking abs class since 4 weeks postpartum too