I had a C section recently and my doctor was very adamant about not doing anything aside from walking for 6 full weeks. It was definitely torturous to wait that long, but I figured if my uterus wasn't healed yet and I strained it too hard I could tear the incision and an exploding uterus was not something I wanted to risk. Although that's probably being a bit dramatic :). I did read however that the first an thing you should do postpartum regardless of how you deliver is Plank. Plank plank plank as much as you can tolerate, once you're cleared to do so. I believe it has to do with strengthening the deeper "girdle-like" ab muscles first for stabilization, and then later you could do the ab rectus (6 pack) muscles and obliques. As far as I know you can start planking right after a vaginal delivery. Although I highly recommend giving yourself a few weeks to bond with your baby :). Babies eat every hour or 2 and there's not much time in between to be doing much working out. I was super motivated and like you thought I would be working out ASAP while the baby sleeps, but the reality if it is that while your baby sleeps, you have a small window to eat food or possibly shower if there's someone else home. Lol. Not to mention the unbelievable exhaustion. Why do we have babies again?? Haha I'm kidding. My baby is 8 months old and worth every sleepless night and poopy diaper : P but anyway, just wanted you to know from my experience working out wasn't even something that seemed a possibility for a while. I think having a C section in a way was good for me though because it forced me to not worry about how to get my strength back, etc. By the time 6 weeks passed, I was more in a routine and felt more ready.... Until I tried to actually plank or sit up. I used to be able to do sit-ups like no ones business. Arial shoulder mounts galore. I found myself not being able to do a sit up many MONTHS after my 6 week wait! It was SO discouraging! I did planks and planks and planks. And when I couldn't do a sit up, I would do reverse training, coming down slowly from a seated position. I still have some ways to go on the pole, but now after 6 months of training I can do almost 100 sit-ups in a row. The more difficult thing for me with a c section was leg lifts. That was actually uncomfortable ( I could feel the c section area pulling) for quite some time after. I worked out pretty hard (running and weightlifting) up until 7 months of pregnancy. Having said all this, every persons body is different so just do what you can and keep at it! It will come back, just may take a few months, and on day 1, you may feel like you will never be able to pole again, but you will! Sorry that was so long! Basically just plank plank plank plank as much as you can is my advise. I don't think I tried to do a sit up for at least 2 weeks (after my 6 week wait).
