...to start doing sit-ups 3 weeks post-partum??

[fancynancypants]

Can I start on the tummy exercises yet?? Or do I really have to wait until after the 6wk check?

The muscles are there but are so loose. I can pull my tummy right in but if I relax it sags a lot... I feel I need to do some serious exercises to get it all back firm again.

Also, any recommendations for good effective exercises I can do at home? I'm thinking sit-ups, plank, leg-lifts, that sort of thing??

[WorraLiberty]

I was told by my midwife I could start straight away with 'crunches'.

She said lie flat on my back, lift my head and shoulders off the bed, hold for a couple of seconds and repeat.

[RobinSparkles]

It doesn't sound as if your are ready if it sags. I would just stick to the PN excercises on the leaflet until the check.

You might be fine but you'd be kicking yourself if you gave yourself an injury.

[SheppySheepdog]

Press ups are amazing for your stomach muscles. I found this out when I tried to do one two weeks post partum and couldn't manage it as my stomach muscles were so shot! A few months later I was fine again - you'll get there, take it easy!

[SmellsLikeTeenStrop]

Are you talking about the exercises that are specific for women who have recently given birth? I asked my midwife about them (I'm 2 weeks post-partum) and she told me I could start them whenever.

[Sprite21]

You need to be really careful about post-natal exercise, particularly stomach crunches. If your muscles haven't knitted together again yet (which they won't have at 3 weeks) then crunches will have the opposite effect and make your stomach stick out! Do the pelvic floor exercises but you need to wait for 6 week check up before starting any other exercise.

[FuzzyGOLDwood]

My stomach muscles seriously parted company with each other (twice) and I was advised to just stick to the pelvic floor exercises until after 6 week check. Only if that was ok could I start sit ups etc. This was info from a hospital physio who specialised in post natal issues.