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Exercise
Books
Lose
Your Mummy Tummy Written by R.N., personal
trainer, fitness instructor and childbirth educator
Julie Tupler it details how to get rid of you mummy
tummy (her term). A fresh approach that actually
explains why it is hard to get your tummy flatter after
having a baby. Detailed photos showing how to do exercises.
Includes a special section which addresses issues for those
recovering from c-sections. I liked the tone of the book
as well as the step by step approach. Instead of a laundry
list of exercises to do, the book explains how to gradually
work your way through the 'Tupler Technique'. Explains clearly
why doing a million crunches *won't* get your tummy flat
after you have had a baby.
Cesarean
Recovery (written by a personal trainer)
This book was written by a personal trainer and
subsequently focuses on an exercise program to bring the post
c-section mom from the hospital through to regaining
her pre-pregnancy body. It also has brief sections
on breastfeeding, emotional issues and a basic overview
of the surgery itself. Great photos of women doing
the exercises along with clear guidelines of when to progress
to each level of exercise.
Baby
Om: Yoga for Mothers and Babies Features an entire chapter
(over 30 pages) focusing on special considerations for cesarean moms,
this yoga class in a book is a great place to start if you like the
idea of excercising with your baby - and if yoga is more your speed
than more traditional gym class style calisthenics.
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When
can I start exercising?
This will depend on your body. Most
doctors tell their recovering c-section mom's that they can start
back at their regular activities after 6 weeks (again, please check
with your own doctor). See the listings on this page for books and DVDs
related to exercise.
Exercise DVDs
Jennifer
Gianni's Fusion Pilates for Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery Includes general c-section recovery
information (some filmed in the hospital!). A great choice for the
mom who can't wait to get started doing some sort of exercise - it
includes what they call a "SAFE First Six Weeks Exercise Plan" which
even for c-section moms can start right away. Workout strengthens core
muscles and includes yoga-infused pilates and low-impact cardio.
Healing
Exercises for Diastasis Recti Endorsed by physical therapists,
this obtusely named DVD is geared towards healing the separation of the
muscles of your abdomen - a very common "side effect" of pregnancy. Similar
in theory to the ideas in Lose
Your Mummy Tummy
- that before
you start doing serious excercise to get your pre-pregnancy body back,
you need to repair the separation in your abdominal muscles first.
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