The general purpose of these exercises is to strengthen the abdominal muscles, thus helping to prevent a large, pendulous abdomen; to increase the patient’s general strength and tone, just as exercise benefits the average person; to promote involution; to prevent retro-version and in a measure, increase intestinal tone and thus relieve constipation. To accomplish these much to be desired ends the exercises must be taken with moderation and judgment; started slowly; increased very gradually and constantly adapted to the strength of the individual patient. Otherwise they may do more harm than good. In the average, uncomplicated case in which the patient is doing well, she usually starts the chin-to-chest exercise from twelve to twenty-four hours after delivery. She should lie flat on her back and raise her head until her chin rests upon her chest. (Fig. [129].) If she rests her hand upon her abdomen, she will feel for herself that the abdominal muscles contract, and accordingly will be disposed to continue the exercises with more interest and confidence than she otherwise might. The movement is repeated twenty-five times, morning and evening, every day, and continued as long as the patient is in bed.
Fig. 130.
Fig. 131.
The familiar, deep-breathing exercise is ordinarily started on the third or fourth day. The patient should lie flat, with her arms at her sides, then extend them straight out from the shoulders (Fig. [130]), raise them above her head (Fig. [131]) and return them to the original position. This is repeated ten times morning and evening, daily, as long as the patient is in bed.
Fig. 132.
The one-leg-flexion exercises are not done by patients with perineal stitches, but in other cases they are usually started about the fifth day. The thigh is flexed sharply on the abdomen and leg on thigh (Fig. [132]), then extended and lowered to the bed. This is repeated ten times, with each leg, morning and evening for one, or possibly two days.
The next exercise replaces the one-leg-flexion and is started after the latter has been done for one or two days, according to the strength of the patient, and it in turn is continued for only one or two days. Both thighs are sharply flexed on abdomen and legs on thighs (Fig. [133]), then extended and lowered but not far enough for the heels to rest upon the bed before being flexed again. This is repeated ten times morning and evening.