Abs exercises post c-section

[ladylush]

I'm a year on from a c-section and a bit confused about what abs exercises I can do. Have read a fair bit about some exercises making things worse (in the area above scar) but I don't know if this applies only to exercises done quite soon after surgery. Is it ok for me to do normal abs exercises now? I've been exercising regularly for the past 8 months (cardio such as rowing/running) but haven't been doing abs exercises - only core strength ones such as the plank. TIA

bump.............

Anyone?

I think you should be ok.

I went back to the gym six months after a section and they just gave me a normal exercise routine. Running uses your core muscles so you should be ok starting back with the abs.

Thanks - useful to know I managed to catch a fitness instructor at the gym yesterday and asked her about it. She said if I'd been running and not getting any pain around the scar area then it was probably fine. She said the reason why I couldn't find anything on the net is cos individuals heal at different paces so they can't issue standard advice. What I'd been worried about (more than overdoing it) was making my stomach look bigger doing the wrong exercises but she said there's no such thing as long as I am drawing in the core muscles (from pelvis upward).

I would half agree with your gym instructor however i think it would be good to first measure the separation between your abs as 2 finger widths or above it would be worth skipping crunches etc and carrying on with the core exercises until the gap has shrunk.

Oh don't know how to measure the separation. I can't even find my abs I haven't got a big tummy but still can't palpate my abs. Oh dear. Will get dh to have a go.

Right, dh just examined me! I tensed them as I did a sit up and he felt the abs (phew) and said he can't discern any separation.

Sorry should have explained how to do it! You measure 2 fingers up from your tummy button, do a sit up and feel the edges of your abs. You can do the same 2 fingers below. Great news if there is no separation at all.

Thanks - think he did that. Will try it myself later as well