C-section and pole dancing
when is it safe to start?

by tlover
(El Paso TX)

If you had a c-section, when can you start pole dancing exercises?


Susan Replies...

Thanks for your question! It's great to see you wanting to get back into shape after the birth of your baby.

That said, not knowing anything about your current health, how your pregnancy and surgery went, or how active you were before and during your pregnancy, I'm afraid it would be irresponsible of me to give you a specific answer.

As a general guideline, most women who have an uncomplicated pregnancy and c-section are able to start returning to their pre-pregnancy fitness activities around 6 weeks post-partum. However, it's very important that you check with your doctor or midwife to ensure that your incision is healing as expected, and that there are no unexpected complications resulting from your cesarian birth.

In addition, you'll want to consider how you're feeling, not only in terms of physical healing, but with regards to your overall energy levels.

If your baby is fairly easy going and sleeps well (so you can sleep too!), you're healthy and you recovered quickly from the birth, and you're typically a high-energy person who was active throughout your pregnancy, you may well feel like getting back to your fitness program sooner rather than later.

On the other hand if your baby is very fussy (leaving you with little time to rest), you had a complicated birth, and/or you were not very active previously, 6 weeks may not be long enough for you to fully recover.

Also, keep in mind that pole dancing comprises a huge variety of moves requiring different levels of fitness and ability.

While it's probably not advisable to be doing inversions and such until you're fully healed, have your caregiver's OK, and have built up some strength, there are certainly a huge number of less advanced moves that can safely be done by many new moms, especially if you're returning to pole dancing rather than starting from scratch.

Some examples of these more basic moves are turns, slides, some floor moves, and perhaps some of the simpler spins.

In addition, there are many exercises and stretches that you can do on your dance pole. Most of these can be modified to suit your current fitness level, so you won't tire yourself out too much when you first get started.

But again, as with any strength training or fitness program, it's always best to discuss your plans with your midwife or doctor and get their OK before you get started.

Once you do have their approval, just listen to your body and honor its requests for more rest, a slower pace, or easier moves while you work towards building up your strength and fitness.

Best of luck with your pole fitness program, and congratulations on your new addition!