Exercise

[El1en]

Morning ladies

Just curious as to how you all (in particular new mummies) are feeling about exercise?

My Lo is 16 days old and while I know I need to recover I'm going stir crazy. I've never been a massive exercise girl but sitting around all day is driving me mad. I've been walking the dog about 1/2 mile a day but wanting to up it to a mile or two and start up my yoga DVD

I had an episiotomy which I think is healing well. I get a little itching but no pain. Is gentle exercise likely to do any harm?

I think I would sleep so much better at night if I was a bit more active during the day. Do most people generally wait until 6 weeks before starting exercise?

 

[Mrs M]

It's definitely advisable to wait until 6 weeks as your body needs time. I don't see how walking a little further each day would do any harm though. Long walks in the fresh air are good for you and the baby!

 

[H16]

I only did walking until daughter was 2-3 months old but I also had a lot of stitches due to a 3rd degree tear plus an episiotomy so didn't fancy risking overdoing it too early x

 

[littlemonkey]

I'd say take it easy and listen to your body. I had a c-section both times and was only really up to walking for the first three months last time.

 

[El1en]

Hhhmm I guess I'll slowly increase the length of the walks and maybe I'll wait until 6 weeks before I try the yoga DVD. I figured If I go to the local shopping centre looking at clothes I'll walk a mile or two without realising so I'd be doing no harm upping the dog walks a little, plus I'm feeling sorry for the dog

 

[kumber]

Agree with the others to take it slowly. If you're feeling up to it, maybe try some very gentle yoga bits to see how your body reacts and judge it from there? Whatever you decide, you need to build up very gradually.

 

[TTT]

I'm sure I read that gentle exercise is encouraged as it has healthbenefits so I would say you'llbe fine to walk the dog more. I had an epi and tried.to move about the house as much as ppossible. I started going a.daily morning walk for about 40 mins with the dogs and it makes my lo have a nap. List go at a pace that is comfortable and doesn't.make you short of breath.

My sil moved around very little and the lochia formed a clot which she then passed when.she.did start to move around. It wasn't harmful to her but very unpleasant.
I'm not sure about the yoga. You shouldn't do any stomach toning exercise for a whileas it can.cause.your mmuscles to separate.which is permanent. Walking should be fine but I would avoid any work outs for quite some time.

 

[CARNAT22]

I'm 4 months post partum and actually feel worse now than I did in the first few weeks!!!

In had really bad post partum joint pain with James but continued to exercise through some pain and I ended up needing physio.

Post partum joint pain is back again so I'm taking it easy as I can't afford to be out of action. I walk a lot and am watching what I eat.

Be careful not to do too much too soon.

X

 

[MrsT2011]

With B I started doing buggy fit at 6 weeks and gradually increased my exercise. I had a lot of postpartum joint pain so found things like Zumba painful but once that passed I was back to my normal swimming, dance Zumba etc x

 

[JD.Deedee]

Start with pelvic floors and make sure to avoid anything that can harm those pelvic floors as they had the biggest hit during birth.. Then just start addressing which muscles are sleepy now and needs some tlc

 

[littlemonkey]

TTT is right, leave ab work etc just now to give your stomach muscles time to knit back together. Mine are totally knackered at the moment!

 

[Sparklisam]

I had an episiotomy and after my 6 week check went straight back to my spinning classes !! Do what's right for you but I always considered that it takes 9 months to grow your baby n for your body to cope with it so it does need a long time to heal properly xxx

 

[laurat]

I had an epsiotomy and after 2 weeks I was back playing an hour of badminton twice a week and walking a 5 K 3 times a week with the buggy . I had to as I was feeling stir crazy and very flat. Exercise boosted my moods and by 6 weeks all was fine and healed well. I had played right enough till a week before I have birth, far slower than normal mind you. My midwife had said as long as you feel ready to try and if your ok then increase and keep checking. Any pain or problems stop. I never had any problems so didnt look back. Its all about you and your body so let that guide you. Everyone isdufferent sothe obligatory wait till 6 weeks suits someand not others.