Post C-Section excercise ?

[suis]

How soon after my C-Section can I return to exercise and what sorts of thing are best/worst ? I need to shape up and lose some weight for a friend's wedding, but I don't want to overdo it. I used to do a lot of yoga, but I don't know if that's OK or not ?????

[lovelymama]

The official advice I received is not to do structured exercise until 12 weeks after giving birth. I was told to take it very easy for the first 6 weeks, but to be honest, a week after having my c-section I felt brilliant and wanted to walk for miles with DS as I loved being out of the house and active. This must have been good for me as it was gentle, but it really helped shift weight, even though this wasn't my motivation for walking. I suppose it depends on how fit you were before you had surgery and how you feel now - but the key thing to remember is that you have had major surgery and over doing it now could cause serious problems.

Go with what feels right but I would avoid sit ups - even 4 months after giving birth, I felt a 'pull' when I did these and quickly stopped doing them! Oooooh just thinking about it makes me cringe.

To answer the last part of your question, I think yoga would be good. Why don't you see if there is a post natal yoga class in your area? We have loads where I live and at least then you know that the class is safe and it will have a focus on the pelvic floor and therefore your mid-section but without the damage that more traditional exercises could do.

Good luck!