More than 30 percent of births in the United States are through a cesarean section. Unfortunately, the recovery period from a C-section is more complicated and takes longer than the recovery from a vaginal birth.
While you may be eager to lose the belly fat you accumulated from the pregnancy, you must proceed with caution since your abdominal muscles and skin need more time to heal.
After a C-section, or any surgery for that matter, you should follow up with your physician to see if you are ready to begin an exercise program. Once cleared by your obstetrician, it is best to strengthen your abdominal muscles and lose body fat through a combination of diet, cardio and strength training.
You cannot spot reduce fat solely from your abdomen. You need to lose fat all over through both diet and exercise.
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Before You Start Training…
Before you start it is best to wait at least 6 weeks after your cesarean section before beginning any sort of exercise. Your body needs time to recover after the trauma from the surgery and if you exercise too soon you may open the incision, cause a muscle tear or hernia.
Be patient with the healing process. Be sure to follow up with your obstetrician who will assess you during the physical exam and can safely advise you in regards to when to begin exercise.
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Once you are cleared it is best to begin with low stress exercises that do not put too much strain on the abdominal muscles or pelvic muscles. Avoid doing any abdominal exercises at this point as much as the temptation calls for you to do it.
Your body must recover. Start off with walking on a treadmill or light jogging. You will not burn a lot of calories. At this point the goal is to get into a routine and give time for your body to adjust to the exercises.
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Remember To Train Your Pelvic Floor Muscles
After pregnancy and abdominal surgery such as cesarean section, the pelvic muscles get weak so it is best to begin training them with Kegel exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Simply find the muscles you use to urinate and squeeze them for three seconds then relax for three seconds and repeat 10 times. Repeat these sessions 3 times a day. Each day increase the time you squeeze and relax and try increasing the repetitions as well.
It is encouraged that you do yoga to strengthen your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Do different poses such as lying flat on your belly and lifting your hands and feet above your head and ground.
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Or for the more advanced, attempt the bridge by lying on your back and bending your knees and press your hands into the ground and push your hands into the ground so your pelvis rises to the ceiling. This will strengthen your core and pelvic muscles.
After a week or two of these low impact exercises, if you haven’t had any injuries or cause of concern, move towards exercises that have more intensity. Increase from light walking to moderate intensity jogging, jump rope or even cycling.
You can even push the baby stroller in the park. You want to begin the fat burning process, and cardiovascular activity will do this without putting too much muscular strain on your abdominals.
Try High Intensity Interval Training When Your Doctor Thinks You’re Ready
If your doctor thinks your recovery is complete, then try doing high intensity interval training for the ultimate fat burning.
For example, jog at a high intensity for one minute, then lightly jog for 1 minute, and repeat that set for 8 times. Or even do cycling sprints for 20 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds, and repeat this process for 8 sets.
The more high intensity interval training you perform the more calories you burn. You can apply this training philosophy to other exercises such as the stair master, sprinting, cycling, jumping jacks, and rowing machines, and even the elliptical.
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What Strength Training Should You Do?
Strength training will be essential to developing your abdominal muscles after the surgery.
Do not attempt strength training until you have been evaluated post C-section by your obstetrician, and after you have safely been able to perform light cardiovascular activity without any injuries or complications.
Remember though, don’t push yourself until you are safely able to perform this exercise otherwise you may risk abdominal injury.
Start with easy isometric ab exercises first. Start by standing up then and then sucking your abdomen into your spine and holding for ten seconds, relax, and repeat for 20 repetitions. Work up to 100 repetitions a day.
Once you can do that you can safely move onto more conventional abdominal exercises such as crutches, or side planks. While these will not burn lots of calories, this is critical in developing a stronger core after surgery.
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Add some variety with these fun new exercises. Be patient and work up to 10-20 repetitions for each exercise and slowly add more sets as you build strength and tolerance. You can even do this with your baby. Try doing crunches with your child in your hands to add some resistance during the exercise.
Be sure to exercise your entire body to get stronger. Add in more exercises that work your abdominal core, pelvic muscles, and lower back such as squats, lunges, and dumbbell deadlifts.
When you are in the gym I advocate that you begin with a total body workout routine for 30 minutes a time for 3-4 days a week. Here is a workout plan I suggest for those post C-section who are doing a total body workout for the first time in months. Remember to wait until you’re fully recovered before trying this workout.
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Post C-Section Total Body Workout
Squats
3 sets of 15-20 repetitions. Use your body weight alone to make sure you have proper form, and as you get stronger add on dumbbells.
Lunges
3 sets of 15-20 repetitions. Use your body weight alone and do lunges across the gym to work your core, glutes and quads. As you get stronger add dumbbell weights.
Dumbbell Deadlifts
3 sets of 15-20 repetitions with a pair of dumbbells. This is a great exercise that strengthens the entire posterior chain (back muscles, glutes, hamstrings and abdominals).
more: How To Get Your Body Back After A C Section
Pullups
3 sets of as many as you can do! If you need help, use the assisted machine pullup bar. As you get stronger take off more weight so you can do pullups on your own with just your body weight.
Standing shoulder press
3 sets of 15 repetitions. This will build your shoulders and triceps, and since you are standing it forces you to keep a strong abdominal core to give you support.
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Bicep curls and push up super sets
3 sets of 15 repetitions. Do bicep curls for 15 repetitions then get on the floor and start doing push ups.
If you cannot get 15 then do push ups with your knees on the ground to provide assistance. As soon as you are done stand up and do more bicep curls. Repeat this process for 3 times to get a nice burn!
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Abdominal exercises
Pick any set of exercises from this list and do a total of 6-8 sets of anywhere from 15-20 repetitions.
Cardio
Finish off with either moderate intensity for 30 minutes of your choice (running, jump rope, boxing, elliptical, cycling, etc.), or do high interval training for 6-8 sets.
Stretch out and head home! Do this routine 3-4 days a week and you’ll see results!
Just like any weight loss program you need to follow a healthy diet and stay disciplined with your cardio and strength training.
more: 15 Home Remedies To Reduce Stomach After C Section
Do not get dismayed if you lose fat from other areas but not your abdomen. It is impossible to spot-reduce fat from any area of your body.
In order to lose fat from the abdomen you need to lose fat from everywhere. Stay consistent. Take your time and wait those 6 weeks.
See your doctor to be sure that you are well healed. Once cleared, you should transition into your workout routine slowly. Patience is essential. Soon you will have your flat abs back again!
Caution
Diastasis recti is a separation of the rectums abdominis that can be stretched often from a pregnancy or C-section and results in a pouch on the abdomen. It often presents with a protrusion from the middle of the belly.
Do not worry, this does not mean you need surgery. You can build your abdominal core back. Avoid crunches which can increase the diastasis recti separation.
Instead, do corrective exercises that pull the abdominal muscles inwards rather than pushing them outwards. Reach out to your obstetrician and physical therapist before beginning any exercise.
In summary…
Use These Exercises To Flatten Your Stomach After A C-Section
- Squats
- Lunges
- Dumbbell Deadlifts
- Pullups
- Standing shoulder press
- Bicep curls and push up super sets
- Abdominal exercises
- Cardio
Rajiv M Mallipudi, md, mhs is an internal medicine resident physician, personal trainer, athlete and author. He has over a decade of personal training experience and helped hundreds of clients of all levels achieve their weight loss and fitness goals. This inspired him to work as a clinical researcher at the nationally recognized, Johns Hopkins Hospital Weight Management Center. During medical school he and his classmates created the health and wellness organization, med fit, which provided personal training and nutrition counseling to the medical student body. In his spare time, Dr. Mallipudi enjoys playing ice hockey, dancing, and training for his next bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions. Dr. Mallipudi serves as a contributing writer for Vixen Daily.
Great Post! These are perfect exercises for those really struggling to get back into shape after giving birth. I appreciate it. Thanks for sharing.
always consult your doctor before starting any strength training program.
these are awesome! i can even do them at home or in my room with the baby.
i can finally do this, my doctor just approved of it. so excited right now! :)
thanks for these helpful tips, i’ll ask my doctor for clearance. (=
always do these with caution. c-section is no joke, so make sure you ask for your doctor’s approval before doing any of these.
abdominal exercises are the most important. but make sure you consult with your doctor first.
this is very helpful to women, especially to new moms like me! thanks for sharing this!
thank you for these tips, i’ll do these exercises once i get approval from my doctor.
training your pelvic floor muscles is very important and this helps you get back to shape fast
i will definitely try these workouts after my 3rd month.
i can’t wait to get a flat stomach again. i hope these work for me!
c-section is a major surgery, do not be in a rush to get back in shape because your body needs to heal first and get professional’s approval before working out
i started by walking my baby around and then stepped it up a notch by using inclined strolling with my child. easy and effective!
child birth via c-section is now common. theis is a very nice & helpful article
these are indeed amazing exercises i can try out
im going to try these workout routines. thanks for always lifting us up with your ideas!
these look amazing! im gonna try them for sure
this is exactly what i need right now. thank you for your help!
wow, these are indeed amazing and i believe these will help me a lot getting back to my pre-pregnancy body
be cautious. you can’t be in a hurry after a major surgery such as a c-section
always always seek your doctor’s approval before doing anything after a c section. a lot of people do not realize that this is a major surgery.
i’m glad i came across this site. it does not only help single women with dating issues but also moms who may be struggling. thank you!!!
i will do this exercises once cleared to start working out by my practitioner
i would recommend getting a go signal from your practitioner before doing any exercise after a c section
this is perfect for those really struggling getting back into shape after giving birth
always a joy to read your posts as we always get great ideas and advice to be better and to strive even more. appreciate it!
this is awesome! i will definitely find time doing these once i recover fron my surgery.
having a baby via c-section isn’t a joke. thank god for articles like this!
i think these are amazing articles that inform and educate women with so much. thanks for inspiring us to do better and be the best version of ourselves!
this is such a great post..im sure a lot of moms will be happy with it <3