After delivering a baby, exercise has various benefits, including helping with recovery, increasing physical strength and mood. Keep in mind, though, that the time it takes for a woman to feel back to normal after giving birth might vary from one person to another.
The recovery period for women who have caesarean sections is longer compared to those who give birth vaginally. This explains why it could take them some more time to heal before they are ready to get back to their workout routine.
Exercising after Caesarean Delivery
You should see a doctor before starting an exercise program again after a cesarean section because the procedure is quite invasive. To fully recover from a cesarean section, the woman's body needs a minimum of six weeks. Avoid engaging in excessively demanding activities, such as lifting excessively large objects or engaging in intense physical activity.
During the initial two weeks following a cesarean delivery, it is crucial to prioritize recovery and rest. During weeks three to six, it is recommended to avoid engaging in activities that involve carrying heavy things, jogging, jumping, or any other physically demanding activities.
Normally, your doctor will evaluate your surgical wound and overall recovery during your after birth appointment. If your condition is considered optimal after the sixth week, you can start moderate exercise (low-impact) and core muscle strengthening.
It is possible to gradually increase the intensity of the exercise if there is no pain or discomfort. Avoid engaging in high-impact or intensive physical activity until you have fully recovered or have received approval from the doctor.
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Guidelines for exercising after Caesarean Delivery
After a cesarean section, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests following exercise guidelines:
Recovery and readiness
You should always check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine. Take it easy; the healing process varies from person to person.
Duration of physical activity
Try for 20 to 30 minutes of low-impact aerobic exercise (walking, cycling, swimming, etc.) every day to keep moving. Ten minutes of strengthening exercises for the abdominals and other muscle areas is a good addition.
If twenty minutes seems excessive, you may begin with 10–15 minutes and gradually increase the duration.
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Exercise category
Start by walking, since this is a low impact activity available at any moment. Additionally, do yoga to help your muscles stretch and strengthen without stressing the body excessively. Concentrate on abdominal bracing, pelvic tilts, and leg slides—exercises that strengthen the abdominal muscles.
Avoid high-impact activities such as jumping and jerking or lifting heavy weights that could strain the pelvic and abdominal muscles overly.
When you work out after giving birth, you should always pay attention to your body. Stop working out immediately and see your doctor again if you feel pain, wetting, excessive bleeding, extreme fatigue, or swelling around the caesarean wound.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr Nadia Opmalina