yoga / pilates post c-section?

[Anonymous]

FTM. Took yoga at Core Power Yoga (hot yoga with weights) before getting pregnant. Had difficult pregnancy and eventually put on bed rest, so obviously stopped working out. Had difficult, long labor and ended up with emergency c-section. Now - 10 weeks later - looking to get back into the swing of things. CPY was the best workout I've ever had and it totally transformed my body, but I was only ever doing the "Sculpt" classes (not too much yoga, a lot of push ups, planks, burpees, etc.). Not sure if my body is quite ready for that intense of a workout yet and I'm interested in broadening my horizons and getting into the actual practice of yoga (maybe even meditation) and maybe even taking my baby along with me!

Has anyone started or resumed practicing yoga or pilates after a c-section? How soon after the delivery did you start (back) up? What were your experiences? What studio did you go to? Did you find the studio and teachers to be understanding of the healing process, your limitations, etc.? Were there any poses or positions that you could not do or that felt uncomfortable? When did that resolve, if ever?

[Anonymous]

I started post csection around 11 weeks. I did some yoga at home before then and had bleeding, so had to back off a little. I was a very active yogi pre-delivery...but it def def def takes awhile for it all to come back. when you go back, make sure to mention your csection so that the instructor helps you modify as needed (don't forget that your abs were CUT). it does all come back, but it is important to just take it a little slow at the beginning (well, my practice came back -belly has never been quite the same good luck!

[Anonymous]

So long as your doc has cleared you for exercise, you should be more than fine. But, google separated abs-- I forget the medical term. I wouldn't focus too much on changing your abs now, as mine didn't really start to bounce back 7-9 months.

After my first c-section, I did power yoga at Vida, spinning, etc. After my 2nd, I did bar method and walked like it was my job.

[Anonymous]

I started back up around the 10 week mark - but very gently and with modifications. The first time I attempted a sit-up was one of the oddest experiences ever because I just literally didn't have the abs. It wasn't hard or painful, it was just impossible. Really weird!

But it does come back. Just allow yourself time, pay careful attention to your body's cues (pain, tightness) and be gentle.

Congrats on your baby!

[Anonymous]

I'm really into mat pilates. I do private instruction twice a week and lift/run the rest of the time. I've had a C-section and a vaginal birth.

I've never thought of a C-section as being limiting. Why do you feel like you have limitations and need a sympathetic instructor? I'm genuinely curious. Sure, my strength was shot in my abs after BOTH babies, but the strength loss was not permanent.

Went back to serious exercise when I was done nursing (intense exercise killed my milk supply) which was after 9 months. Took about 6 months to get back to my pre-pregnancy level of fitness.