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Cari Fit

Cari Fit

Fitness Advice, Workout Tips, and Inspiration

postpartum

My Birth Story, Plus Tips on Recovering From A C-Section

I’m excited to share that I just welcomed baby #3 into the world about 2 months ago and couldn’t be more in love!

I wanted to share a little bit of my birth story and about having a c-section since I’ve had some requests to share and it’s relevant to my blog (health/fitness). Scroll to the bottom for my Q&A. For those of you who aren’t interested in baby topics – I ask you to just be patient with me because the next few posts may center around that since that’s what is going on in my life and also driving my current fitness routine. I plan to start sharing details of my postpartum workouts once I start working out. Even if you haven’t had a baby – I think they could still be useful.

Overall, my pregnancy this time was similar to my first 2 pregnancies – except that I started out 10lb heavier. During the first and second trimesters, I was still working out at the gym 3x per week doing a mix of cardio (usually 30min of treadmill walking with inclines or boxing intervals) and strength training for about 1 to 1.5 hours each time. For strength training I spent extra focus on my back, glutes and legs to avoid having back pain. I did a lot of deadlifts, seated leg extensions, squats (first trimester) and walking lunges. But, when we got hit with coronavirus – I started a walking routine at home. I tried to go for a walk almost every night for 30-45minutes in my neighborhood and I felt it kept my sanity and I think is helping me recover better. I only did a little strength training in my 3rd trimester and mainly just did walks.

Although I had to have 2 prior c-sections (not by choice) I switched doctors and found one that was willing to let me try for a VBAC this time. I did a lot of research and thought I would still be a good candidate for VBAC despite having 2 prior c-sections and my doctor agreed (see FAQ below). I was nervous to have a 3rd c-section since it’s a major surgery and many things can go wrong. However, they can also go wrong with a VBAC like the slight chance of uterine rupture or other complications. After discussing it with my doctor – we planned on VBAC the entire pregnancy. I only gained about 20lb up until the end when I started getting really big and then gained over 10lb of just fluid! At most of my ultrasound appointments they kept telling me this was a “big baby” but I know that isn’t always the case and not a reason to panic or think you can not have a regular or VBAC delivery. But, as the weeks went on and I got closer to my due date they kept saying my baby was measuring really big and he was 10.3lbs at only 34 weeks! I didn’t have gestational diabetes (a reason why many babies are large) or any other complications. However, near 37 weeks my ultrasound showed that my amniotic fluid levels had increased tremendously and I was at risk for many complications because of this. It’s a condition called polyhydramnios and can cause many problems for mom and baby including placenta separation, bleeding, cord prolapse and many others. The ultrasound doctor explained to me during my visit that at that point (37 weeks) it would actually be less risky to have a c-section and to do it soon, rather than to wait and go into labor on my own. She told me to pack my hospital bags when I went to see my obgyn the next day for my 37 week checkup because she had a feeling my doctor would admit me that day to the hospital. So, Sure enough – my doctor said that is what she recommended. She said it wasn’t safe for me and the baby and she recommended we do a c-section immediately that day. Luckily I had my hospital bag packed and my husband met me in the lobby and we went to the adjacent hospital to check in.

With my first 2 babies – I went into labor on my own and was in labor at the hospital for a very long time (almost 40 hours with my daughter!) and then ultimately had to surrender to c-sections with both. So, for this one pregnancy it was actually less stressful because I wasn’t in pain from labor and my doctor and nurses didn’t have to rush as much to get me ready since it was less of an emergency. I also didn’t have an epidural this time – but a spinal block. Apparently the difference between epidural and spinal block is that the epidural lasts longer but with the spinal block you feel less during the surgery. That was true for me and that made me a lot happier because with the first 2 I felt a lot of the tugging, pulling and what felt like more of the surgery. I never had pain but just felt more of what they were doing when I had an epidural. With the spinal block I didn’t even realize they had started the surgery and then all of a sudden I heard my baby cry! I could’t believe they had already taken him out! I did feel tugging and my body moving back and forth more after he was out when they were finishing the procedure, but it was not painful or uncomfortable at all. So, if I had to have the choice again I would definitely do the spinal block. They both are inserted via catheter into your spine and felt the same way being inserted (you are numbed first). I was still very nervous to have the c-section and not being able to feel my legs gave me anxiety. Luckily the OR nurses were great (thanks Lorena!) and my husband was there to hold my hand. I just kept trying to focus on the baby and breathe to calm my nerves. I did get nauseous and they were able to give me something in my IV and also one of the nurses used an alcohol swab/pad under my nose and it helped a lot – with the nausea and anxiety!

After my baby was born I didn’t get to hold him right away like I had wanted because he had a minor breathing issue due to all the fluid and also since he was born at 37 weeks. Technically that’s full-term but now research shows that it’s better for babies to stay in the womb until 39 weeks if possible. After they got his breathing stabilized they brought him over to me and I was so overwhelmed with emotion! He was the cutest, chubbiest newborn I had ever seen with cute chubby cheeks! I was so happy but also super sad because I knew he was struggling – so I was ok with them taking him to the NICU for observation.

I ended up staying in the hospital 4 nights and I was recovering just fine. The 3rd day was the worst for me but it was for my other 2 c-sections too. It’s when the pain meds start wearing off and you become more active getting up to us the bathroom (no catheter anymore) and holding/feeding your baby. My baby had to stay in the NICU the whole time to monitor his breathing and his blood glucose since it was a little low (it’s common with large babies). So, I had to be wheeled down to the NICU every 3 hours to feed him. I knew I wanted to breastfeed since I did it with my other 2 and was happy he was able to do that. On the 5th day we were both discharged and I was able to bring my healthy baby boy home!

Recovery at home was surprisingly about the same as it was with my other 2, if not slightly better. I think all the walking I did during my pregnancy really helped. Getting in and out of bed was really hard (as was sitting/standing) for the first week. But, overall I wouldn’t say that having a 3rd c-section was any harder or painful that the others. This could also be because I knew what to expect. It was hard not being able to play with my other children – but I knew this was just temporary and I reminded myself not to overdo it or my recovery would take even longer. I had tons of swelling (maybe more this time) in my legs, ankles and feet. It’s normal though and lasts about 2 weeks until your body can gradually get rid of it. It affected my blood pressure though and I actually had to get on medication for about 2 weeks because it was dangerously high at one point. Although I didn’t have it – it’s possible to have postpartum preeclampsia. So, if you think your blood pressure is high or you have any symptoms (headaches, blurred vision, breathing rapidly, etc) check with your doctor right away.

Here are a few FAQ’s I’ve received from DM’s and social media:

Was it hard being pregnant during COVID-19/Coronavirus?

Yes, mainly because I couldn’t take my other 2 kids out to do things and they weren’t in school – which means I got less time to myself. I also wasn’t able to take my husband or kids to any doctor appointments or ultrasound appointment which I wanted to do. This was my 3rd baby – so I wasn’t planning to have a baby shower but feel bad for those expecting mamas that had to miss out on that. But, I am going to plan a virtual “Sip and See” party with friends!

What was your hospital experience like during the pandemic?

Things were a lot more strict. First of all they check your temp and ask you questions before you even go to the labor and delivery department. Once I was admitted they actually tested me for coronavirus which was not fun but I’m glad they did. I was only allowed to have 1 guest with me the whole time (my husband) and no children were allowed at all. If my husband wanted to leave he had to wait until the next day to return. He was allowed to be in the OR with me during delivery thank goodness. I had to wear a mask most of the time I was in the hospital except when we were alone in our room and also during the c-section since I had an oxygen tube under my nose. All of the doctors and nurses wore masks all of the time, as did the other hospital employees.

Is having a third c-section harder than the first or second?

In my experience it was not (see above for details). I was really scared the surgery would be harder or something would go wrong since I figured I had more scare tissue, etc (which my DR said I did) but it still went smoothly. I felt the recovery was about the same as the other 2 as well.

Is it riskier to have a third c-section? Should I try to have a VBAC?

I would talk to your doctor about this because I think it depends on your situation and your body. From what I had researched – it seemed like having a 3rd c-section was more risky than vbac and that’s why I tried really hard to find a good doctor that was open to me trying a vbac or at least “trial of labor after cesarian” (TOLAC). However, when I found out I had polyhydramnios it became more risky for me to do vbac since that would require for me to go into labor on my own (they can’t induce you after you’ve had a c-section). So, ultimately the 3rd c-section was less risky for me but may not be for everyone.

What can I do to recover faster from a c-section?

I would start with what you do during pregnancy. I would try to eat as healthy as you can, only gain the recommended weight and exercise if your doctor says you can. Don’t overdo workouts though. Just focus on your cardiovascular health and any areas you feel are weak. For me, that was my lower back, glutes and hamstrings. Then, after your surgery try to walk (slowly) as soon as your doctor tells you to. I also wore my belly binder that the hospital gave me and that helped a ton. If they don’t give you one you can buy one ahead of time on Amazon like this one or this one (I have both). I tried a bunch of them and they were either too tight, too stiff to sit down in or they rubbed me the wrong way. You can also wear them over your clothes/underwear if your skin is sensitive.

Did you do any core workouts while pregnant? Did they help with diastasis recti?

I did minimal core work with my first 2 pregnancies and never had diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles). This time around I wanted to focus on it a little more. However, what I found out was that more core work was actually starting to cause “coning” in my abdomen. What’s “coning”? It’s when you can notice a cone shape in your ab muscles when you sit or move a certain way that engages them. This can lead to DR (diastasis recti). So, I stopped doing exercises that I felt were making it worse. I know many people recommend planks during pregnancy but I felt they were making this “coning” show up even more. So, I stopped doing them. I also stopped doing the Smith Machine (weighted squats with the bar) because my core was contracting outward sometimes when I was doing the squats. So, instead I just focused on contracting my abdominal muscles for 20 seconds at a time when I did my nightly walks.

Comment below or send me a DM on Instagram (@carifit) if you have any questions for me!

Core Workout For Diastasis Recti

This week we are focusing on core during our Honey We’re Home Fitness Challenge! But, many people have requested a workout if you have diastasis recti (sometimes called “DR”). What is diastasis recti?  It’s most common in women that have had children. It’s when your abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy (or other core trauma) and don’t go back together for awhile. There are varying degrees of this – from barely nothing at all to a pretty wide gap. You can check out Megan’s post here to see if you have it. Some people still have it years after having children and do not realize it. Does this mean your abs will never go back together?? Not always. If you really work on strengthening your entire core (not just abs in the front but also your back and shoulder girdle) you will notice a big improvement. Also, it does just take time. So, if you had a baby in the last year – cut yourself some slack and give your body time to heal.

If you DO have this, be sure to check with your doctor before doing any abdominal exercises – especially anything intense. Also, if you just had a baby less than 2 months ago, you may want to wait even longer before doing any abdominal work, especially if you do have DR. You can end up doing more harm than good if you try to really work your core when your muscles haven’t had a chance to repair themselves.

Tips:

You want to avoid any exercises that make your abdominal muscles pop out or bulge out. This is why crunches aren’t recommended, because when you are crunching you are actually pushing your abdominals out at the top of the move. Planks can also be tricky because many people relax their abs when doing planks. However, if you are at least 6 months post-partum and are cleared by your doctor – some planks are ok. Just be sure to contract your core before you begin. You should actually do that before you begin doing any ab exercises!

 

Diastasis Recti Core Workout

*Warmup walk, jog or march in place for about 3-5 minutes.

Standing Side Bends (Works core – primarily obliques)

Instructions: Start standing tall with feet slightly wider than hips and legs straight – but not locked out. Then, keep your arms at your sides and while keeping your back straight, lean over towards your right side as you slide your hand or weight down your leg, then use your core to bring you back to the top. Just let your arms hang loose and let the core do all the work. Alternate sides. Just don’t arch your back or bend forward. Also, to remember to contract your abdominals while you do this and inhale as you go down and exhale when you come back to the top.

Reps/Sets: Aim for 20-30 reps alternating sides. Rest, then repeat for 2-3 sets.

Modifications: If your DR is minimal and you have been working out regularly – you can hold a weight in each hand while you do this move.

Running V-Sit (Works core, arms and hip-flexors)

Instructions: Sit on the ground with knees bent. Slowly lift feet off the ground while leaning back slightly and engaging your core. Once you have your balance, extend the legs out straight with your arms by your side. Bend elbows at 90 degrees and move your arms back and forth as if you were running.

Reps/Sets: Complete this move for 30-60 seconds. Rest and repeat for 2-3 sets.

Modifications: If it’s too hard, you can keep your knees bent or your feet on the ground. To make it harder – “run” faster and longer.

 

Seated Leg Raises (Works lower abdominals and quadriceps)

Instructions: Start seated in a chair or bench with knees bent. Then, straighten out right leg and place foot on the ground. Contract your abs and lean back slightly then bring your right leg up in the air where your right foot is level with your left knee. Lower back down to the ground (or almost to the ground) and repeat. You will primarily feel this exercise in your quads, but if you tighten your core and lean back slightly you will work your lower abdominals and hip flexors.

Reps/Sets: Do 30-45 reps on each leg (or about 45-60 seconds), aim for 2-3 sets

Modifications: If you are more advanced, you can wear ankle weights or place a loop

band around your ankles or calves. You can also turn your foot outward slightly (like in photo below) to work inner thighs as well.

 

Hip Bridges (Works core, glutes and hamstrings)

Instructions: Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width apart. Engage your core and glutes and lift your hips off the mat. Be careful not to thrust yourself up – but rather roll up starting with your hips first and then finally balance on your shoulder blades. You can place your hands out wide (like in photo), by your feet or even place hands on your hips for support. Squeeze your glutes at the top of the movement and hold for 1-2 seconds, slowly lower down and then repeat.

Reps/Sets: 15-20 reps, aim for 2-3 sets

 

Modifications: To make it harder, you can hold one weight or 2 weights on your hip bones to add extra weight. To make it easier, don’t lift hips as high.

 

 

Plank With Knee Tucks  (Works core, shoulders and legs)

Instructions: Start in “high” plank with arms straight and feet back behind you. Keep back flat and engage core by pulling your belly button up towards your spine. Release your right foot and bring your right knee towards your chest. Pause for 1-2 seconds and contract your core even more. Then, step back and repeat on the opposite side. Try to make a crunch shape with your core and you can even lift your hips up slightly higher when your knee is near your chest.

 

Reps/Sets: Try for 20 reps (10 on each side) and aim for 2-3 sets.

Modifications: For an easier exercise you can do “birddogs” (image below) which are similar but are on your knees. To make it harder – extend your opposite arm out straight and when you bring your knee to your chest, try to touch your elbow to knee.

 

“Birddog” exercise

 

*Remember -please check with your doctor before doing these exercises!

 

 

 

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For the Fit Mom + Fit Baby

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all the fit Moms out there! If you are looking for a gift for a fit Mom in your life (girlfriend, sister, daughter or your own Mom) check out my favorites below. Or – if you need to send your partner or kids ideas…you may want to share this post on Facebook : )

Fitness Clothes & Gear

Every fit mom likes new workout clothes and workout gear.

For clothes I really like all of Target’s new spring and summer colors. Also, I’ve been getting a lot of my stuff from Nordstrom like these Zella crops (they are also very comfortable). I almost always wear a hat when I workout to keep my hair out of my face. I like this cute “Momlife” hat from Etsy.

I always take my phone with me on runs in case the baby needs me. The phone itself is bulky enough without a bulky arm strap and dangling wires on headphones. So, I use a neoprene armband  (lightweight & flexible) similar to this and love my Apple Wireless Airpods (headphones).

Let’s face it – as moms…we have to squeeze in a workout when we can and sometimes that means at home. I recommend getting a set of Adjustable weights for home workouts so you can keep just the one set in your workout area without taking up too much space. I love Apple TV so I can stream youtube workouts and Instagram live workouts (like the one I’ll be doing on my @Bombshell_Bootcamp Insta soon!).

Spa/Beauty

All moms want to look and feel pretty. If she likes spa days…I recommend Milk + Honey spa in Houston. If she’s been super busy and doesn’t have much time to fix her hair – get her a  giftcard to the Drybar for a blowout or braid that she can show off at her next yoga class. But, if you think she’d like a completely new look or just really awesome highlights – send her to my colorist Sarah at Ceron salon. I’ll be doing a post about her soon because she has a great transformation story! I also love these new hair bands I found at Sephora (another great idea for a gift card!) because they don’t break or damage my hair.

Items For the Fit Baby & Kid

Fit moms are setting a great example for their little ones (and big ones). Most babies and kids try to copy their parents’ behaviors – so if you are a fit parent, they want to workout just like you! Next time you do a home workout or take your kid with you on a run or bike ride – try one of these cute products:

The baby dumbbell rattle is so cute and babies love rattles! I also love this cute Under Armour baby workout outfit (shown in my picture below) for babies. Have a bigger toddler? Check out this toddler weight set with barbell! If you have bigger kids, get them excited about yoga with their own Kids yoga mat and yoga deck cards!

 

Fitness Classes

Fitness classes or gift cards also make great gifts. I personally love the Bombshell Bootcamp Giftcard ; ) but yoga or spin classes make great gifts, or just help her make time for early morning runs by watching the baby or swap carpooling the kids with another fit mom friend! Most cities also have “Mommy and Me” classes for babies and moms under 2 or ask around for baby bootcamps or just see if your favorite bootcamp will allow you to bring a baby in a stroller (mine will).

Healthy Lunch or Dinner Out

Fit moms like to celebrate and go out – but sometimes it can be stressful picking a healthy spot that the rest of the family will enjoy. My new favorite for lunch in Houston is Bebidas. For dinner I always love True Food Kitchen (you HAVE to order the crudites!) and it’s a chain – so if you don’t live in Houston check out their other locations. A few of my other local favorites for healthy (and vegetarian friendly) options are Ruggles Green and Molina’s (grilled chicken or fish platter with veggies) and Escalante’s (grilled fish tacos and their baked tortilla chips).

*All opinions on the products and companies are my own.

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