Q: God bless you doc, even generations to come honour you already. Please, I hope you answer this because I’ve sent one you’ve not answered. I’ve had two caesarian sections now. And my tummy is very big because we were advised against tummy heating. Now I ask will it ever come down or what could I do? My first CS was 2010 and the other was April this year. And how early could I use “GIRDLE” God bless you, doc. Love you

A: Amen and Amen to all your prayers and I love you right back! 😀

Now as to tummy reduction after Caesarian Section, I wish it were as simple as a girdle 😀 As I always say, there’s no quick fix to these issues. You will have to go the good nutrition and exercise route (as soon as your doctor gives you the okay). There are some post natal binders or belts that are thought to be helpful but really, there’s no conclusive proof that they help your womb resume its normal position. In fact, used too early, it may rub against your incision site and interfere with healing.

So, the solution is a careful exercise and diet plan. For any kind of delivery, don’t start on any exercise regimen without checking with your doctor first. You can start off with pelvic floor exercises as soon as you feel up to it especially if you’re leaking urine when you cough or laugh. To locate your pelvic floor muscles, try holding your urine when you feel pressed. If you are successful, then you have located the muscles you need. Then empty your bladder and lie on the floor. Contract those same muscles and hold the contraction for about 5 seconds and then relax it for about 5 seconds. Gradually build this up to holding the contraction for 10 seconds. Repeat this about 3 times a day. Once you no longer leak, you’re probably ready for your exercises. As soon as the doctor gives you the all clear, you can take gentle walks, do simple stretches etc. Start small and scale up 🙂

As for diet, fruits, veggies, complex carbs and proteins are the way to go. The first rule of diet is portion control, reduce your plate (or bowl) size 😀 Then fill half the plate with veggies, a quarter with complex carbs like whole grains, oatmeal, local rice etc and the last quarter with protein eg fish and poultry.

For more on this subject, please click on the links below:

Daily Health Tip: my tummy after my baby

Daily Health Tip: The trio of Diet, Exercise and Stress

Have a good night, y’all 😀