Postpartum Exercises: A Guide to Basic Workouts for New Moms

Introduction

Hello everyone! Today, we will be doing some postpartum exercises. I am Dr. Vaishnavi, and I will guide you through some basic exercises that are perfect for new mothers. Many moms often ask, “When should I start exercising after delivery?” The exercises in this video are simple and easy to follow, so let’s get started!

Dumbbell Exercises for Upper Body Strength:

After delivery, it’s crucial to build strength in your upper limbs because you’ll be holding your baby for long periods. You can begin with 0.5 or 1 kg dumbbells. If you don’t have dumbbells, you can use 0.5-liter water bottles.

1. Front Raises:
   • Stand straight, raise the dumbbells up to shoulder level, and lower them down. Repeat 10 times.
2. Side Raises:
   • Lift the weights to shoulder height on your sides, then lower them. Repeat 10 times.
3. Shoulder Press:
   • With your elbows at shoulder level, push the dumbbells overhead and bring them down to a 90-degree angle. Repeat 10 times.
4. Bicep Curls:
   • You can perform curls with one arm at a time or both simultaneously. Curl the dumbbells up and relax. Repeat 10 times.

Lying Exercises for Core and Leg Strength:

1. Half Leg Raises:
   • Lie down with bent knees, hands down by your side, and raise your legs to 90 degrees. Make sure to breathe normally. Repeat 10 times.
2. Cross-Leg Crunch:
   • Cross your right leg over the left, and gently bring your knee closer to your body. Repeat with the other leg. Do not lift your shoulders or head. Perform 10 repetitions for each side.

Quadruped Exercises for Core Stability:

1. Quad Rocking:
   • Get on your hands and knees with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Lift one hand and the opposite leg at the same time, maintaining balance. Repeat on the other side. Perform 10 repetitions.
2. Cat-Camel Exercise:
   • This exercise is great for your back and core. Start on all fours, look up and drop your back (Cat position), hold for 5 seconds. Then, tuck your chin to your chest and arch your back (Camel position), holding for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Kegel Exercises for Pelvic Floor Strength:

One of the most important postpartum exercises is the Kegel exercise, which strengthens your pelvic floor muscles. We will create a detailed follow-along video on Kegels soon, so stay tuned!

Conclusion

Follow these postpartum exercises and take care of your health. Stay strong, and don’t forget to watch our upcoming video on Kegel exercises for more guidance.