Many women want to know how to acquire a flat stomach. They are especially curious about this following surgical procedures i.e.: laparotomy, laparoscopy and hysterectomy.
Many women want to know how to acquire a flat stomach. They are especially curious about this following surgical procedures i.e.: laparotomy, laparoscopy and hysterectomy.
The abdominal wall consists of 8 layers of tissue. It is comprised of skin, fascia and muscles. The muscles of the abdominal wall include the rectos abdominus, pyramidalis, internal and external oblique muscles, and the transverse abdominus. When exercising the abdominals many women only work the rectus abdominus. It is critical to exercise the transverse muscles to minimize the "abdominal pouch".
Thus a key muscle to rehabilitate following surgery and birth is the transverse abdominus. This muscle extends from ribs 6-12, iliac crest, thoracolumbar fascia and inguinal ligament to the linea alba, pubic crest and pubis. Learning to tighten the transverse muscle on outward breath will promote improving the muscular tone of the abdominal wall. This will help to prevent the abdominal muscles from bulging as well as to compress the contents of the abdominal wall.
This exercise can be performed by lying on your back and placing your hands on the area of your stomach just below the ribs. First, take a deep breath and then as you exhale, tighten your stomach muscles under your hands. Once you are performing this correctly, you can also perform the exercise while sitting and standing.
This exercise is well described by Elizabeth Noble, PT in her book titled Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year.
©Susan Parker, PT, OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor
OBGYN.net Chronic Pelvic Pain
Tailored hormone therapy improves postoperative endometriosis outcomes
October 3rd 2024A recent study suggests that postoperative endometriosis patients experience improved quality of life through hormone therapies guided by optimizing treatment based on individual hormonal receptor profiles.
Read More
Study reports reduced SSI odds after gynecologic surgery from metronidazole and cefazolin
September 19th 2024A recent study shows that adding metronidazole to cefazolin significantly lowers the risk of surgical site infections in gynecologic cancer surgeries, enhancing patient outcomes.
Read More
Phase 2b safety data for Sildenafil Cream against FSAD reported
August 26th 2024In a recent study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Sildenafil Cream, 3.6% was indicated as safe and well-tolerated for use against female sexual arousal disorder in healthy premenopausal women.
Read More