Recovery After C Section

recovery after c section graphic



Exercises for your abdominal muscles are essential for proper healing and recovery after c section because your muscles and tissues in your abdomen have been cut through.

However, you need to use a certain amount of caution until your stitches heal, working into the exercises gradually.

After your stitches have healed, your muscles can be strengthened in the same way as if you had a vaginal delivery unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Regardless of the exact type of C Section you had, there are some basic exercise principles that you can use to help speed up your recovery.

For Recovery After C Section: Suggested Post-Cesarean Exercise Program

Day #1 - Focus on deep breathing, making sure to protect your incision by applying pressure (also called "splinting") your stomach with a pillow or your hand while breathing. You can also begin pelvic floor exercises right away as tolerated.

Day #2 and 3 - Continue exercises from day #1 plus add the pelvic tilt (side-lying or sitting), leg slides and hip hikes as tolerated. The explanation of these three exercises can be found here.

Day #4 and 5 - If you are able to get up and walk around easily, discontinue the breathing exercises. Check for diastasis recti abdominis and if needed, do the corrective exercises.

Day#6 - Do all previous exercises and add pelvic tilt on all fours.



Advancing Your Exercises

- As you progress through your recovery after C Section, gradually add more challenging abdominal exercises, including the oblique exercises as directed by your doctor. The key is consistency and not trying to do too much too soon. Listen to your body.

Normal tissue healing takes about 5-6 weeks for good scar tissue to form. Therefore, as a general recommendation, beyond six weeks you can begin slowly progressing your abdominal strengthening as well as the lengthening of your muscles. A great way to regain your core strength after a c-section or at any time in your life is by using the Plank Exercise. It is an isometric exercise and will help build your deep, stabilizing abdominal strength.

Using an exercise ball is also a great way to regain your abdominal muscle tone -- a progression from abdominal exercises done on the floor or a mat.

Sometimes, after your scar heals, you may notice a puckering. This may be due to scar adhesions from the way your scar tissue healed. Several days after having your stitches removed, you should be able to begin gently scar tissue massage as advised by your doctor or health care professional. Place your fingers over the scar and gently move the scar in circles (clock-wise and counter clock-wise). Your fingers should not slide over the skin. This can help smooth out your scar.

Later, once your scar is healed, you can do a gentle back extension stretch. Laying on your stomach, with your hands on the floor or table, gently arch your back until a stretch is felt in your stomach. You should feel a strain, but not pain. If any exercise is painful, discontinue the exercise and contact your doctor.



Read More About Recovery from C-Section

Read about Abdominal Exercise After a C-Section

Read Other Visitors' Stories of How They Recovered from a C-Section

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What Advice Do You Have For Recovery from a C-Section?

C-Section deliveries can leave scars, weak muscles and limited function. What did you do that helped in your recovery? Share your story here.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Moving Around the House 
After I had my c-section, I was weak for the first two days, but by day three I was moving a lot, and they sent me home. There I stayed moving as much …

Twin Unwanted C-Section 
I didn't plan on having a c-section, but I just moved, and the doctors I just started seeing told me at the last minute their hospital didn't allow vaginal …

4 C-Sections 
I've had four c sections my last two were suppose to be painful but I recovered with two weeks. My second section was the worst had a painful experience …

Recovery not too bad after c-section 
I had a planned c-section, which I did not want after having a natural birth with my first child I was terrified but my second child was breech. Anyhow …

2nd c-section at age 37 
My best advice after a c-section is to WALK, WALK, WALK! I surprised myself being able to walk around the house without pain and take care of my family …

C-section story - not that bad! 
After having two vaginal births and the lastest twin birth being a c-section...I'd have to say that it wasn't all that bad. I was prepared for the worst …

My C-section Story 
I had a c section at 19 years old, with twins because the umbilical cord was wrapped around one of the twins neck. After the surgery i ws weak , couldn't …

emergency cesarean after 17 hours of labour and 3 hours pushing! on 31/01/09 
My waters broke at 8am my partner was not home and struggled to get hold of him by the time he came home at 9am my contractions kicked in by 10am they …

No More Ugly Scars 
This is my second c-section. The scar from my first one was very ugly and it puffed out. So this time my doctor prescribed me a cream called "Aldara" It …

Mommy of two, two and under 
I have had 2 c-sections, my son, first born left me with horrible stretch marks and 9 months later I was pregnant again with my daughter. The first time …

Katie 
I had an emergency c-section 8 weeks ago. I got out of bed as soon as the nurse let me, and started walking the halls as soon as they let me. I have …

how to get back into shape after a c section 
I have had three c-sections and before I became pregnant with my third son I had spent a great deal of time losing the weight from my second child (70 …

How to get back into shape after a c section 
I have had three c sections and before I became pregnant with my third son I had spent a great deal of time losing the weight from my second child(70 lbs.) …

26 Hours In Labor And Still Had A C-Section! 
I began having contractions early that day and not until midnight they started getting worse 5 minutes apart, after 3 hours of that my water broke at home, …

C-sections 
I have had three c-sections. My three kids are two years apart and the doctor told me that that was too soon for c-sections to reoccur. But I did it. …

My c section recovery experience.... 
Give yourself credit for the small accomplishments and positive affirmations. Don't compare yourself to other mothers who didn't have a c-section to recovery …

Husband 
My wife had a c-section 14 years ago. She decided to recently do some sit ups and drastically hurt herself incidentally. Her stomach was very painful …

My first c-section was scary - umbilical cord around my baby's neck 
I had my first c-section 35 years ago because my daughter's umbilical cord was wound around her neck. I was a little scared because I didn't know anything …

My Two C-Sections 
I had two c-sections for both of my boys. My first son was delivered by c-section two weeks after my due date. This was a planned c-section because as …

My C-Section Recovery Story 
With the birth of my first and only child, I had to have a c-section. I was full term, 5 days past my due date. I went into labor while having a check …

C Section Recovry 
I think for the most part, was to get up and move as soon as you can - I would get up in the hospital walk slowly to the nursery, and get my baby for the …

My advice for recovery after c-section...MOVE! 
After 24 hours of labor and four hours of pushing, I had to have an emergency C-Section for multiple reasons. I was scared, upset, felt like a failure …

My personal advice for recovery from C-section 
Last four months ago, I underwent c-section with my fourth and last child because I decided to have my ob-gynecologist cut my fallopian tube. Every time …

Strong Core Muscles Helped Me Recover from Two C-Sections 
I had a C-Section with both of my babies (12-03 emergency and 02-07 planned) as well as had a c-section incision for a surgery on my ovaries. Overall …

Click here to write your own.

I've Had Three C Sections 
The most important things I discovered that helped with the recovery process was a positive mental attitude, getting enough rest, and getting up and moving …

Recovery C Section 
Recover C Section... Having recovered recently from a C Section I must say, that it was more painful than I had expected. Before my baby was delivered, …

Losing Weight After C Section 
I had my first C-Section after 10 hours of hard labor. Seeing my baby boy shot me full of endorphins and the next day the nurses doubtfully took the catheter …

C Section Recovery 
Here is my story about my C Section Recovery. Three weeks before my due date, I left work to go to my normal doctor’s appointment. At my appointment …

Recovery after a C-Section 
I am the proud mother of 2 children, ages 6 and 4. I had an emergency C-Section for my first child. Since I was not prepared for a C-Section delivery, …

Click here to write your own.


Recommended Book: Pregnancy Without Pounds



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