I've just had my third baby and, like many mums, am very keen to lose the baby weight. But it's so hard to find the time to exercise.
That's where personal fitness instructor Francesca Saccone of New Body New You comes in. She not only specialises in pre- and post-natal personal training, but her USP is that she is happy to come to you and help you work out while your newborn sleeps.
I asked her some questions about working out post-birth:
How soon after birth, should you begin working out? What about c-sections?
After the birth, the mum must wait for her GP/midwife check up. For natural birth the guidelines are 6 weeks and for C- section is 8 weeks. I always advise my clients to wait to be signed off by their midwife/GP before undertaking a structured training programme.
In the meantime the mum can start some specific exercises at home to strengthen the core or inner unit, with particular emphasis to the Transverse Abdominis and the Pelvic Floor, both for natural birth and C-section.
Can any amount of exercise get rid of the stomach overhang (flap) above the c-section scar?
I have also had a c-section (mine was unfortunately an emergency one, after enduring 36 hours of labour) and although my abs are strong and toned, the area between my belly button and my scar is slightly flabbier than the rest of my stomach, but you will definetely be able to lose the flap with a structured training programme and some nutritional tips (I don' t mean DIET!).
You are happy to go to a client's home for a session while the baby sleeps? Does this work in practice - what if the baby wakes up?
I do visit clients' homes and I can train them either whether their baby is asleep or awake! I tend to work around client and baby's needs.
What geographic areas do you cover?
I currently cover Clapham, Balham, Wimbledon, Putney, Fulham and Surrey (A3 only).
More info can be found at : www.newbodynewyou.co.uk
