How Soon After Pregnancy Should You Start Abdominal Exercises?

Once the baby is born one of the first questions a new mom asks her obstetrician during her first visit is, "when can I start doing exercises?" And for most women, they means specifically abdominal exercises. During the latter stages of pregnancy it is very normal for the rectus abdominus muscle, that muscle that runs down the center of the belly, to separate allowing the abdomen to expand and make room for the growing baby. This isn't a tearing or a herniation of the muscle but rather a stretching and widening of the connective tissue between the two muscles. After pregnancy there are several exercises that can be done to bring that muscle back together and make it stronger than ever. But, before doing any exercises for your stomach you must consult with your gynecologist to get medical clearance. ...