Abs after C-Section?

Was just wondering if anyone else has had a Ceserean and what ab exercises you can do at home to help re-build?  Is it even possible to have abs again after this, too many horror stories about once the muscles are cut, there's no goin back? this true?

I've had 3 of them horizontally (bikini cut)  and feel as though nothin I do is workin.  I do crunches, just not sure if I'm doin enough or what else I can do to work it.

Any ideas?  What do you do?

I don't want you to think nobody cares or is paying attention, it's probably just most people at the moment don't have a clue, I don't know ... but I'm here for you ^_^

Hi!  You are so not alone! I've also had 3 sections- verticle with a crooked scar that makes my belly look like a lop-sided butt!  LOL  Anyways, I think because we are women and have had babies (I work in a maternity unit), the abd fat and stretched out skin is a seemingly endless battle!  Look at all of the previous posts from other frustrated females.  Yes, you can strengthen your abd muscles with the usual exercises once you have approval from your MD.  All women who have had pregnancies, no matter how the mode of delivery, can have diastasis of the recti  abdominus (split abd muscles from the growth of the uterus) which is harmless.  I've seen improvement with healthier eating and regular exercise and can feel the 6-pack under there somewhere.  We all see those celebs who have flat abs after having children- someone has to keep Dr. 90210 in business! 

That's good news.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I had just heard so many stories.  My kids are older now... my last section was 9 years ago. But I can say truthfully, I never committed or cared till now about trying to firm up. Now if someone has any specific ab exercises that has worked for them, please advise me :) 

LOL at Dr. 90210 :)

I don't know about abs after c-section, but I have learned from a friend that doing crunches on the floor will take forever to build your abs.  Exercise balls are wonderful (and hurt my back less personally) because they not only strengthen the middle muscles but a ton of muscles that you typically don't use or work out in order to help you balance yourself on the ball.  I haven't in a while, but I could do a ton of crunches on the floor, but the first time on the ball, 8 was all I could do.  It's just more intense.  And time saving.  And a great way to stretch after the crunches.

I've had three c-sections, the first with twins, and have pretty much seen my tummy go down over the last 19 months (since the last baby).

You need to lose body fat % in order to see a difference, but you can tighten the area by doing some core work -- pilates are really good for this.  Also, you might want to try working the abs laterally -- lie down, put your left ankle on your bent right knee and your hands behind your head.  Try to touch your left knee with your right elbow without moving your knee towards you.

There are all kinds of ball exercises for this, too.  I love the ball because it saves my back.  Good luck!

I had a C- section (my first)and will probably end up having one with the next baby too ...when I asked my doctor if my tummy would ever be normal again ...he laughed and told me that I was a mature women now and that I would never have the stomach of a 12yrs old girl (his South African sense of humour), though he promised it would get better...he also mention that he was pretty sure that when you see these movie stars 2 weeks after they have had a baby that the doctors must fix them right then and there....so who can say ....but I know a few women who have had a few C- sections ....one who has had 4 of them and there stomach's look pretty flat.....alot of it probably to do with body type and weight...don't know how they did it though...my doctor mentioned once I was healed up enough to lay on the floor and hold my feet and legs up off the floor 3 to 6 inches for 10's or more depending on how strong you are and do rep's, I also do alot of walking and jogging and hold my stomach in as long as I can ....my tummy has gone down but I still need to lose a  lot of baby weight, I put on alot of weight with my first baby, which is funny cause she was a really small baby, but with a section wasn't able to do a lot till recently, I pulled a few stitch's on the inside, so it has taken a while....one women I know finally broke down and had surgery once she lost the weight she wanted to and was done having baby's soo there are options if exercise doesn't work (personally don't like that one, surgery freaks me out) anyway  keep it up I'm sure things will start to get better, but it kinda sucks how your stomach just hangs there....but hey i had a baby so its kind of like my badge along with my stretch marks(anyway your not alone)  Cheers 

There is hope Dragonpride!  I've had 4 C=sections (the bikini Kind).  Here is the exercise to end all exercises!  There are two own works both upper and lower abs, the other works strictly the lower abs.  This is the area that needs it most.  Here we go.

1) Take a stick/broom handle and put it behind your neck.  hold it with both hands but do no press on the pole.  Squat slightly and swivel from the waist up.  NOTHING below the waist should be moving!!!  This strengthens the obliques and the core abs.

2) Lay on the floor on your back, knees bent, hands or a book (a dictionary is perfect) under your bum. raise your legs off the floor to make an L shape and slowly lower your legs to within an inch of the floor but do not touch the floor with your heels.  Do this same exercise with your legs spread apart, again, slowly lower the legs, but do not touch the floor.

These are both amazing exercises and you will notice within 4-6 weeks a decided difference in your waist and abs.

Best of wishes to you!

Hi

I've had 1 c-section (bikini) almost 3 yrs ago and like you just starting to get back in shape.

So far I've been doing the usual crunches with and without gymball, but exsurfgirl exercises sound great. I will definately try these.

Good luck