During labor it may become necessary for you to have a C-section in order to protect you and your new baby's health. During the C-section an incision is made along the lower portion of your abdomen. This can raise concerns about getting your abdomen tight and toned postsurgery. Tightening these muscles is a matter of strengthening your abdominal muscles with the proper exercises.
Step 1
Consult your physician. Your doctor will provide guidelines for when you can resume exercise and any precautions you may need to take. Exercising prior to your doctor's approval can be detrimental to your health.
Step 2
Participate in abdominal training every other day. Start slowly with 10 to 15 minutes of exercise to reengage your abdominal muscles, and work towards 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 3
Execute exercise ball crunches during abdominal training sessions. Shape Fit recommends this exercise as a way to rebuild postpregnancy muscles. Place your upper back on the top of a stability ball with your feet flat on the floor. Hold your arms overhead, tighten your stomach muscles, sit upward as far as you can, lower back down and repeat. Try working up to five sets of 25-40 repetitions per set.
Step 4
Perform pelvic tilts to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Lie with your back on the floor, bend your legs, lift your legs into the air so that your lower legs are parallel with the floor and place your hands behind your head. Keep your abdominal muscles tightened during the entire exercise. Rotate your hips upward toward the ceiling to press your back into the ground. Press your hips into the floor to place a small curve in your lower back. Start with eight to 12 repetitions and work up to 3 sets of 12 repetitions.
Step 5
Control your abdominal muscles throughout the day. Suck in your stomach to engage your entire midsection while sitting, walking, talking and standing. This helps to tone your muscles when you cannot perform exercises.
Things You'll Need
- Stability ball
