Postnatal Exercise Advice

HOW TO LOSE YOUR JELLY BELLY - THE BREATHING TUMMY EXERCISE
2009-03-17

After birth the muscles are weak and overstretched and become the dreaded jelly belly!
You must wait until you have had your GP check up 6-8 weeks for vaginal deliveries or 10 weeks post C-section before you start exercise classes. However, you can re-start gentle tummy muscle exercises and pelvic floor exercises as soon as you have delivered.

To retrain the deep abdominal muscles you should improve your posture and do postnatal specific core stability exercises such as the “Breathing Tummy”.

• Breathe in, as you breathe out simply draw your tummy in towards your spine. This should be a soft sinking feeling, rather than a strong bracing action
• Hold for a few seconds, continuing to breathe
• Release gently
• Repeat as frequently as possible throughout the day
• Incorporate this when you bend or lift to keep your back supported.

This simple exercise can be done anywhere and as long as you feel comfortable should be done as often as possible. The great news, multi-tasking mummies, is that it also helps to active your pelvic floor muscles too.