From Weakness and Pain to Strength: A C-Section Mom’s Journey to Healing with Low Pressure Fitness

by Elissa Hoogerhyde

My First C-Section Recovery

In early 2020, I was recovering from an unplanned c-section after the birth of our first child.

On the outside, it looked like I was recovering well. My body “bounced back” very quickly but functionally, I was struggling.

I vividly remember realizing just how disconnected my core was while (are you ready for this?) struggling to cut a sweet potato. 

Despite the fact that I remained very active throughout my whole pregnancy, my core strength was completely gone. I knew I needed help, but I had no idea where to start or what I was looking for. 

Not knowing where to begin, I called to schedule my first appointment with a pelvic floor therapist. I was quickly placed with a therapist near my home before the operator paused and said “...actually… another therapist named Jenna has an earlier appointment”.  This was the providential moment that led me to Low Pressure Fitness. 

Finding My Solution in Low Pressure Fitness

Jenna introduced me to Low Pressure Fitness  within our first few visits together and I began to practice regularly on my own.

I immediately began to feel the deepest layers of my abdominal wall engage in ways I had never felt before. Even after years of classical dance and strength training,  I couldn’t believe the depth of abdominal work I could achieve through such gentle movement. All of those years of crunches and high pressure abdominal work had nothing on my first few weeks of this method!

Within a few months, my three finger diastasis closed and I began to feel my strength return to my body. In fact, I felt stronger in my core than I did before.  

My Second Recovery: Pain Relief with Hypopressive Breathing

Fast forward three years and our family welcomed my sweet daughter into the world. After a failed induction for a VBAC, I ended up in the OR again for a repeat c section.

My second recovery was much harder than the first. In addition to needing to regain my core strength after major abdominal surgery, I had lingering pain in my lower abdomen and c section scar.

I got in to work with Jenna for therapy and to brush up on my Low Pressure Fitness technique as soon as I could. While the pain surrounding my scar and lower abdomen lingered for months, I was surprised to find immediate relief whenever I would practice Low Pressure Fitness.

The abdominal vacuum achieved through hypopressive breathing would immediately release the tension and pain in these areas and eventually, the pain and tension dissipated completely through regular practice. Whenever I would feel these areas begin to flare up again, I knew exactly what to do to find relief.  

Core Confidence for the Future

Now, as I journey through my third pregnancy, I have such comfort in knowing that Low Pressure Fitness is waiting for me as I approach yet another postpartum season. I will be forever grateful to the operator who took the time to pause that day on the phone to place me with a therapist who would introduce me to this life changing method. It was in this moment where strength found me in my motherhood journey. 

Getting Started with Low Pressure Fitness

Pain and weakness post-partum are common, but they don’t have to define your motherhood journey. If you are struggling with pain and a disconnected core after delivery, Low Pressure Fitness is an affordable, effective, and gentle solution to help you find healing. From one mama to another, you won’t regret it!