Resuming practice after c-section

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VDMarley
Participant

June 11, 2011 at 9:29 am

Post count: 2

#2142

Hi Gabrielle, hi All,

I’ve been practising bikram for 4 years and i am two days away from giving birth to my little girl by c-section (due to high blood pressure issues).
I’ve practised throughout my pregnancy except for the past 2 weeks where BP readings have skyrocketted and my energy levels are zapped (all other vitals are good and baby is doing good – delivery is at 39 weeks).

Boy am i missing the yoga!! I have few queries:
-> When it is safe to resume bikram series after a c-section. Should i wait for the 6 weeks mark and the all clear from the obs?

-> When can it be considered, on average, that all stitched up layers of connective / fat and muscle tissues and the associated scar tissues can safely sustain deep stretching (i’m thinking here about the abdominal stretching associated with all the backbends)?

-> Even after 6 weeks, are there certain postures to ease back into more than others (considering 9 months of pregnancy series modified postures + healing from c-section)?

-> Are there postures that can be done at home within the first 6 weeks (like a mini series) to assist with overall well being / recovery / energy levels?

-> Are there postures to be more conscious of when breastfeeding?

Thank you so much in advance for your help and insights, i look forward to head back to the hot room and the practice to assist in healing my body and don’t want to impair recovery with too much enthusiasm!!

V.

Gabrielle (The Hot Yoga Doctor)
Forum Owner

June 28, 2011 at 8:15 pm

Post count: 3048

#8686

Hi Virginie

As I relayed to you in that PM, I apologise that I did not see your post until just now. It was the second last day of my teacher training program and well, life was and is a tad busy…

So, firstly … CONGRATULATIONS. I hope all went well with the delivery of your little girl and your health is back to normal.

Yoga after a natural birth is pretty much as you like it. Yoga, however post C-section is a completely different matter. It is essential for you to give your tissues time to knit properly.

If you have done a lot of yoga before the birth then it is a possibility that healing will be quicker than normal. I would leave it to your intuition plus guided by professional opinion.

Probably needless to say (regardless of method of delivery) you may need to relearn how to engage your core muscles – which by the way is more than simply sucking in your stomach. This is vital for attempting any yoga practice.

While you are healing from the C section itself you will find that conscious breathing (aka Pranayama exercises of all types) will help you enormously. Perhaps some gentle stretches and mindful movement will work for you. I haven’t checked on the internet yet but I am positive you will find something regarding post C-C yoga exercises. 😉

As for poses and breastfeeding, while you are recuperating you’ll just be avoiding placing too much pressure on your breasts. That is a self-limiting exercise. You’ll know when enough is enough I promise you. Plus when you lie on the floor you’ll adjust your arms to create the space for your breasts.

When you get back into the hot room, the main issue will be to increase the intake of fluids and electrolytes appropriately (to keep up milk production, to stay hydrated yourself as well as avoid constipation). When I was breastfeeding I was taking at least 6 litres every day.

Let me know when you get back into the hot room. I am pretty sure I have given some advice about the practice in the forum elsewhere. If you have specific questions, come back, I am sure I will get back to you much quicker than I managed this time! 😛

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

VDMarley
Participant

June 30, 2011 at 8:33 am

Post count: 2

#8694

Hi Gabrielle,

I’m very curious about you teacher training course! I will have to wait until next year though!!
I never got to thank you for the Hot Yoga Masterclass material, it is wonderful. I actually have few qualified bikram instructors friends who have borrowed it, i’m encouraging them to get their own, hopefully they will!!!

My little girl is doing very well, she was born on June 14th, her name is Lucille and she’s feeding like a trooper, so all is good.

Thank you very much for your input and advice. I’ve actually started doing pranayam breathing every morning upon waking to get some energy and a good stretch in my back, it’s heavenly.

I’ll probably start, once i get the all clear from the obs, with the pregnancy series at home, without the heat, or just a little ceramic heater so it’s not too cold.

Thank you again and i will definitely keep you posted on how my venture back in the hot room goes. i will most definiely take it very easy though.

helen.moore148
Participant

August 12, 2011 at 11:34 am

Post count: 6

#8814

There are some exercises like pranayam and surya namaskaram that you may be able to do. If you don’t have any stitches after giving birth,and you’re comfortable doing mild exercises, it should not be a problem.
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