Ab Toning Exercises After C-Section
Within 6 to 8 weeks, you can begin ab toning exercises after a c-section as long as there were no complications. The first rule of thumb, of course, is to check with your doctor first and make sure it is safe to begin exercising. Women who were active in sports or exercised regularly before pregnancy are always anxious to begin exercising again after childbirth.
Caesarean sections are cut in two different ways - vertically and horizontally. When the incision is made vertically, muscle must be cut. This means it will not only take longer to heal; it also means that it will be harder to firm the muscle because of the scar tissue. It can be done, but you must be willing to do ab toning after a c-section cut vertically for a little longer time period than you would otherwise. The transverse abdominus muscle was severed and that is one of the deep muscles.
A caesarean section cut horizontally does not sever the muscle. That's one reason doctors began doing the horizontal cuts lower on the abdomen. Recovery time is quicker, and the muscle is not damaged by cutting. The muscle has only been stretched as a result of the pregnancy.
In either case, doing ab toning exercises after a c-section will restore the muscle strength and firm the muscle back up after all the stretching due to the pregnancy. One of the best you can do is the plank. The plank is an exercise where you lay on your stomach, placing your hands beneath your shoulders with the elbows pointing up. Then raise the body so your arms are fully extended and you are on your toes. Hold this position for at least 10 seconds when first starting an exercise program of ab toning exercises after a c-section. Your goal should be to reach the point where you can hold the plank position for a full minute.
Another beginning toning exercise is to tense your abdomen muscles throughout the day. This will help you begin to strengthen the muscles in preparation for doing additional ab toning exercises after a c-section.
When you return to doing ab toning exercises after a c-section, it is important to remember that the same conditioning rules apply. To get physically fit you must work on more than strengthening abdomen muscles. The ab muscles are connected to a lot of other muscles in your body and tightening those abs means also strengthening your other body muscles. Your ab toning exercises after a c-section should be one component of a total exercise program. Sculpted abdomen muscles can't even be seen if your body has too much fat.
As your abdomen muscles become stronger, you can begin to add other ab toning exercises after a c-section. Using a ball for abdomen toning is a good way to add more difficult toning exercises without rushing the program. Low crunches on the ball are very effective toning exercises. The side-to-side obliques exercises while sitting on a stability ball are also good exercises. But even if you don't have an exercise ball, there are plenty of other abdomen toning exercises you can begin doing. Reverse curls and the bridge exercises are very productive exercises.
The key is to not try to rush your exercise program after a c-section. Take it slowly and be on alert for any signs that you are overexerting your abdomen muscles. After all, the point of exercising is to get fit - not cause other health issues.
