Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Exercise After Cesarean Birth

by Nargis Shuaib
(Ajman UAE)

When after a cesarean delivery can I start doing exercise and swimming?

Also, when can I start using a belt to support and firm my stomach. How can I help keep my breasts firm while breastfeeding?

Answer:

Hi Nargis,

You can begin to exercise about 6-8 weeks after your operation. Remember to go gently at first and choose exercises that are not very stressful.

Swimming is an excellent choice because it is gentle and the water helps support your body and gives gentle pressure to your incision area.

Other good exercises are walking, jogging, and biking.

The best exercise for a flat tummy is to pull the muscles of your stomach back as if you were trying to pull them through your navel to your back. Hold them tightened and pulled back for a bit, then release and repeat. You can do this throughout the day and it will gently tighten your muscles up.

You can start wearing a supportive band around your stomach as soon as your doctor approves it, or your incision is well-healed. Choose one that offers gentle support and compression, not one that's harshly tight and restrictive.

Unfortunately, it's the hormones of pregnancy that tend to cause breasts to sag. Breastfeeding or not doesn't have much effect on their firmness.

Doing gentle core exercises may help because it helps tone the muscle behind your breasts. Other than that, wear a supportive bra or tank under your clothing. Try and avoid underwire bras as they can bite into your breast tissue and cause nursing problems.