Post Partum Ab Exercises « Back to Group Discussions

[chicajones]

So now that I'm feeling a little (slightly) more normal, I really want to start asap doing ab exercises. Most of what I've found seems to be for moms who are further out (it's only been five days for us), so I'm just curious if any of you have suggestions or what's worked for you before. I know it will take my body a while to get back to it's new "normal" but I want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to stay healthy and get in good shape. Thanks!

[AlaskAnne]

I've just been doing kegels but was thinking of trying some of the exercises in the Dr Sears book soon. I'd love to hear ideas from others!

[lulubikes]

I think you don't want to do kegels for awhile - longer if you tore. Need to heal first. Not sure about ab exercises. I think I'd wait 2-3 weeks at least. Need your body to heal first. Your uterus is still shrinking & organs falling back into place...

[engineer_mom]

Originally Posted by lulubikes 

I think you don't want to do kegels for awhile - longer if you tore. Need to heal first. Not sure about ab exercises. I think I'd wait 2-3 weeks at least. Need your body to heal first. Your uterus is still shrinking & organs falling back into place...

Ditto!

It's way too soon for right now...you'll make your recover longer by doing ab exersizes now.  You NEED to rest your pelvis for at least 2 weeks (as tough as that may be).  It took at me months before my muscles really even started to go back to normal.

If you google "bounce back fast helen byrne" there are some great exersizes geared toward post pregancy ab muscle seperation.  Granted, I don't know how well they work because I could never could remember to do them. 

[AlaskAnne]

No kegels, really? My midwives recommended them as soon as I felt up to it.

[chicajones]

Interesting! I definitely don't want to over exert myself but had heard from a number of people that there were certain things you could do that weren't super taxing.

[sweetestday]

I've heard you can start sucking your tummy tight, like as if you were on a beach trying to look skinny in your swim suit. Just having good posture and holding your muscles tightly. I wouldn't try any crunches or sit ups or anything like that. I try not to do those anymore anyway because my muscles are so separated, and that makes it worse. 

[chicajones]

sweetestday, those were the kinds of things I was thinking--gentle exercises, not crunches or anything.