Exercise after a c section

[octoberbaby2010]

Going to sound so pathetic now but I've got to do something about this now!!
I'm two and a half stone heavier than my comfortable weight I really need to diet and do some exercise the thing is ( now this is where I sound pathetic ) I worry that doing exercise will make my scar hurt and make it harder for me to have children in the future so just looking for some reassurance and advice on what exercise is best to do and if it will affect me having babies in the future if it's still hurting my scar area!! Fed up of feeling huge xx

How far post c-sec are you?

Well over a year 🙈

I've put it off for too long xx

You can safely exercise (with clearance from a doctor) at 8-12 weeks post c-section. A year is fine (unless you have injuries?)
The scar will have healed. You need to ease back in gently but that is because you haven’t been doing anything.

Exercise will make you stronger for future pregnancy and won’t aggrevate the scar.

Start with gentle activities like Pilates, walking, swimming. What do you enjoy?

Absolutely no way that exercise would make it harder for you to have children in the future. It's also unlikely to hurt in your scar area as it's been over a year, so you should be well healed by now.

Just start slowly and find something you enjoy doing and will want to do regularly. Maybe look for a specific post natal class, they're not just for women who are a few months post natal.

Oh gosh I feel well lazy now 😂 I like walking, so might start of with that xxx

It’s fine to exercise 6 weeks after provided your GP has given you the all clear during your postnatal check up. A year is more than enough time, you can even get pregnant again a year post section!

Start off with gentle exercise and work your way up. Remember that exercise is only about 20% of the work, the rest is diet.

I did the betty rocker 30 day challenge and loved it. She has a diet programme too.

Is Betty rocker 30 day challenge an app? Xx

Second the walking & Pilates ideas
Also is there a postnatal training group near you that you could attend?

Is there any exercise you should avoid? Xx

You should just ease in gently. I wouldn’t do heavy weights etc until you have built your core strength back up and don’t start doing loads of running if you’ve never run before. Or go crazy in a HIIT class.

Pilates, swimming and walking are all good. Or a stationary exercise bike? You need a balance of cardio and strength work.

Thankyou for your replies, I have just weighed myself and I'm 2 stone heavier then I need to be, I think a healthy diet and exercise is well needed!! Xx

As a starter for ten I would check (or have someone check for you) whether you still have diastasis recti. Lots of helpful guides if you google. If you leak at all then don’t do ab exercises like crunches. Mutu is a great place to start.

Yes still leak unfortunately, what's mutu? Xx

Why can't you do crunches if you leak? Xx

Hopeful bump xx

I’m trained in postnatal exercise. Crunches aren’t a particularly good exercise for anyone.
I second the above advice to get checked for diastasis recti (abdominal separation) as this will impact what you can and can’t do (like crunches) and planks. You can make the separation worse if you do the wrong moves.

Pelvic floor issues are more likely with diastasis recti as the whole area is linked and you’ll want to strengthen your deep core and pelvic floor muscles. Pilates is fab for this and look for a specific postnatal class.