A cesarean section, whether planned or unplanned, is a serious abdominal surgery that carries risks. Your lifestyle immediately after a cesarean section may be different than you had imagined. Your activities, including exercise, will be limited during the first few weeks. When you are ready to exercise, you should begin slowly.
When to Begin Exercising
It is best to wait a full six to eight weeks after a cesarean section before beginning an exercise program. Your body will be doing a lot of healing the first few weeks and it needs as much rest and nutrition as possible. Not everyone will feel ready to exercise at six weeks. It is more important to listen to your body and watch for cues that it is ready, instead of forcing exercise when you don't feel up to it.
Speak with Your Physician
Each person heals differently, and at different rates, after a cesarean section. Your body may take longer than six weeks to heal and be ready for an exercise program. Before starting any type of program, you should make an appointment to see your physician. She can evaluate your health status and make sure that your body is ready to exercise. If you begin too soon, you may cause additional injuries.
Start Slowly with Low Impact Exercises
As with any exercise program, start slowly. Diane Lee, an education and clinical consultant at Ocean Pointe Physiotherapy Consultants in British Columbia, says that exercising too quickly after birth can result in lower back pain, uterus or bladder problems, pelvic pain and urinary incontinence.
Yoga and Pilates
Yoga and pilates are optimal exercises after a cesarean section. Both are low-impact and focus on toning muscles instead of quick, jerky movements and intense cardio. Sarah Perron, co-author of "Baby Om," says that the Modified Boat Pose, Locust Pose and Plank Pose are good for mothers after a cesarean section because those help to build core strength and abdominal muscles.
Watch for Warning Signs
Once you have started exercising, it is extremely important that you watch for warning signs that you may be doing too much, too soon. Warning signs include: heavy bleeding, abdominal pain near the incision, a feeling of extreme fatigue, or any signs of infection, such as fever or redness near the incision site. If any of these appear, you should stop immediately and contact your physician.
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