Post c section mn wisdom please!

[amarylisnightandday]

Hi hi,
I has the section in Monday. This is my second emcs and I was v miserable about the effects last time - big tummy/overhang etc not being able to lose weight because I couldn't exercise.
This time I'm in a much better place - mostly because I'm divorced :-) but anyway....please share advice about best recovery/tummy flattening methods for me. TiA
I have read about belly wrapping but would rather hear about it from real people with common sense before I do anything - that's you lot btw!
:-)

[MoomieAndFreddie]

ouch don't belly wrap, personally i don't think it can be good for you - i remember wearing spanx not long after my second CS and i bled like mad, think the tightness of them was squeezing things more than they should be squeezed...

just wait the 6 weeks while eating sensibly, rest up as much as you can. then once you get the go ahead to exercise, pilates is great for tummy flattening and also the Shred, although maybe wait a bit longer to shred as it is hardcore lol :o

my friend who is a nurse said you can do pelvic floors straight away and they actually can help to flatten your tummy. so keep doing the PFs and just be patient

i swear by coconut oil to help skin tone and stretchmarks so slap that on

also lavender oil in your bath to help the wound heal

and congrats on the birth and your new baby BTW x

[QueenCadbury]

I started exercising from day 1, literally just gentle legs exercises and gradually built things up from there. I followed a book so it was all very safe. Obviously didn't do any cardio exercise until at least 6 weeks although I did try and get out for a short walk most days.

I wore a belly bandit from early days which I found great but that was because I had separated muscles at the front and therefore lower back pain so it helped hold everything in place. Because of the muscle separation I also followed exercises in the Tupler method book.

I also swear by lavender oil baths for healing and also arnica tablets to help with bruising.

If you want to be up and moving about as quickly as possible you must take your pain relief. It's better to take it regularly to keep on top of the pain rather than waiting until you're in pain.

Good luck.

[amarylisnightandday]

Thanks folks
Queen that was extremely informative. What are the book titles please?
I think I has separated muscles last time too. Can you buy the belly thing online?

[amarylisnightandday]

Moomie - I used spanx type items last time I think they made things worse! At the v least I was sore and sweaty! That was partly why I'm asking for sensible advice this time

[amarylisnightandday]

And where do you but arnica tablets? Health food shop?

[QueenCadbury]

Can't remember what the books were calledi'm afraid. If you put Tupler into amazon it should come up with the book for the tummy exercises.

The belly bandit I bought online. If you google it there's lots of places that sell them. Cost about £50 but was worth it IMO.

Arnica tablets came from boots from the homeopathic section. I don't usually go for that sort of stuff but I absolutely swear by these after childbirth or surgery!

[Stevie77]

You should really not do any exercise involving your abs before checking with a medical professional after a CS. There is a reason you are asked to wait 6 weeks - this is a major operation that involves cutting through layers of your abdomen and organs!

Just keep to gentle walks for 6 weeks (walking exercises your abs too), surely the risk of making yourself worse is not worth it?!?

[Icelollycraving]

Wait before doing any major exercising. You have had major surgery. A little gentle exercise is ok but anything else can wait. Wear trousers & knickers that don't aggravate the scar to improve healing. I bought arnica tablets in Holland & Barratt.

[amarylisnightandday]

Thanks all its v appreciated. I shan't do anything rash but I will be getting the arnica tablets pronto.
Last time I waited about 4 months then tried to go for a run and it felt like my entire abdomen would fall out. In the end I started swimming instead which seemed better and did shift some weight. I have at least 2 stone to shift but not just yet - I just want to plan and lje you say, not make things worse.

[racingheart]

Same here with arnica tablets and lavender oil in the bath. I swore by them. Healed really easily. I lost the baby weight within a few weeks by walking miles every day pushing the buggy and by carrying the DC around pretty much all day long when they were small - they're great little arm toners.

The best stomach exercise is just lie flat on the floor and pull your stomach muscles in as tight as you can, and hold for 100. No strain on back or neck and no jerky movements that could do damage to healing scar.

[Hopefully]

For a quick recovery the best possible thing you can do us rest. For at least a few weeks. If you're a bit tired and sore and don't fancy a walk, don't do it if you don't have to.

I roped in every relative I could to help out with DS1 and rested v well with no more than the odd walk for 6 weeks. I felt much better recovered than friends who drove/lifted/exercised, and was able to start Shredding and running by 9 weeks, and lost 1.5 stone fairly easily by 15 weeks.

[Helltotheno]

Up to 6 weeks, kegels and gentle 'pulling in' of the tum. After 6 weeks, pilates and swimming. After about 6 months, back to anything else (running, fast walking etc). That's what worked for me.

[Sonotkylie]

There are exercises you can do from about week 1. My midwife gave me a little booklet marked with what week I could start them ... Kegels are fine but I can't remember any others. Avoid twisting! Can you ask midwife or to see hospital physio before you leave hospital? They seemed really keen to get me 'working out' after my csection! Maybe they were just sadists!