C/S moms: Working out?

skio · June 2011

If you're doing something other than walking without feeling pain or strained, please share what in god's name it is!

I was a runner pre-pregnancy and also did Bikram Yoga regularly. The yoga will be put off for at least several more months because I am not in any shape to be in that heat and my spine is still sore from my epi. But I feel like I can't do ANYTHING and it it really weighing on me. My whole lower belly is still sore to the touch and I still need to use my arms to help myself up from any sort of reclined position.

All I'm doing now is walking 2 miles a few times a week. I tried to do some lunges and teeny crunches yesterday and am having searing pains in my lower abdomen today. Soooo forget that for a bit longer. I'm almost 12w pp and I can't help but wonder how long it will be until I can work out and feel like myself again. Errg.

Anyone else frustrated with the surgery recovery?

RayRay007 · June 2011

I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time. And I thought I was slow going. I don't have any pain to the touch, but I still have to help myself up from laying down or reclining most of the time. My abs are wrecked. I started a mom & baby exercise class a couple weeks ago, but it doesn't cater to c-section moms at all. I have to ask for variations of exercises because I can't do mountain climbers or bicycles or anything. One thing the instructor suggested is to do crunches etc. with my feet elevated on the step bench so that I am using my upper abs and not so much my lower abs. I also just press my lower abs with my hands (hold them in, sort of thing) during some exercises. A friend that didn't have a c-section uses a tensor type thing for exercising. You may want to go to a physiotherapist. I considered doing that, but am feeling more able these days. Good luck!

vlagrl29 · June 2011

as far as physical issues i don't have much: i just have that tingly feeling below belly button because of the nerves being cut. i started out at the gym the first week of may and hired a trainer cause i knew i could possibly hurt myself because of the incision. I'm doing the eliptical about 1/2 hour a day 5 days a week. I work my abs 4 days a week with exercises she showed me: basic crunches with different variations. also weight training 2 times a week, squats, free weights, and some of the machines. just last week i started PIYO: pilates/yoga. and i can't do lunches very well because of my belly fat is still in the way. i had to start out very basic though and i'm just now getting all my strength back

cedgar778 · June 2011

I just started doing the 30 day shred video and it's kicking my butt! I used to be a runner pre-prego too and I worked out (mildly) most of my pregnancy, but now, I totally feel like I've never worked out a day in my life! I am so sore and tired from this 20 minute workout! Anyway, I had a c-section too, but oddly (and thankfully), I don't have any pains/numbness or anything else... just extremely weak abs. Maybe try a workout video and see if that gets you some results? I think you need to do cardio and strength training to get better results - and with a video you can kind of go at your own pace, so if it's too much at first, you can take it easy.

sunflower0520 · June 2011

I recommend some sort of girdle or abdominal binder. I got mine at Motherhood Maternity when DS was 1 week old. I wear mine (elastic is adjustable, I like it a lot) whenever I work out and periodically during the day for bloating and to help my posture. I'm a terrible sloucher and really have to remember to 'suck it in'.Working on my posture seems to help with the discomfort and seems to help with incisional pain. I still feel a lot of 'pulling in', particularly on the right side of my incision. It seems like the incision was deeper on that side, or slower healing maybe.

I was on a lot of percocet for the first three weeks, and just stopped needing motrin several times a day at 9 wks PP. I was always a 'comfy clothes' type girl around the house, but I've found that wearing fitted jeans or shorts (ie zipper and button) holds me in better and reduces pain and bloating. I still get bloated a lot, especially in the evenings if I don't work out during the day. But that pain is nothing like the uncomfortable feeling of a breech baby resisting any sort of tight clothing, or even my seatbelt during pregnancy.....

Hope this helps!

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