How soon after delivery have moms been running/exercising again?

[Anonymous]

I know it varies wildly based on exercise during pregnancy, how delivery goes, and many other variables, I'm sure - but I'd be curious to know how many weeks (or months) post-delivery moms started exercising and/or running again?

[Anonymous]

I think at about 8 weeks I started running again. I didn't feel comfortable running while I was still bleeding. That stopped around 6 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I got back on my bike three weeks post-partum, but I'm fairly hardcore about the bike and also nuts. I tried to sit on my bike one week post-partum (hello, I had stitches). That was one of the dumbest things I have ever done.

[Anonymous]

I started running again about 6 weeks post partum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got back on my bike three weeks post-partum, but I'm fairly hardcore about the bike and also nuts. I tried to sit on my bike one week post-partum (hello, I had stitches). That was one of the dumbest things I have ever done.

Ouch! I would think biking is one of the last things one could pick up after birth. We have a great stationary bike in our basement and I keep thinking how long of a break it is going to get after my baby is born.

[Anonymous]

Doctors say you should wait to do anything more than walking and light stretching until your 6 week post-partum appointment. It's not just a formality, it's to make sure that you have healed properly. Take those first 6 weeks easy--you DO need that time to recover.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. There's no way I'm going to be able to go 6 weeks without exercising!! I had to stop working out completely for 2 weeks due to a metatarsal stress fracture and I almost went nuts. Is there anything I'll be able to do at 2-3 weeks postop? Brisk walking?? Swimming? Anything? I hope so!

[Anonymous]

I was taking walks with DD when she was just two weeks old. I wasn't walking to break a sweat and really get a work out but I was out there pushing the stroller for a good hour twice a day. It was just something to do and get out of the house. Depending on time of year you could do that right away but I agree with pp's don't push it. Give your body time to heal before you really start to workout.

[Anonymous]

It depends on your delivery. I tore and had stitches so even walking the first couple of weeks was very painful. I think by around week 3 I could walk for awhile, but no where near an hour. The running came more about 8 weeks and was very uncomfortable for a good while. My bladder and stomach muscles were a mess and for months later my lower abs were really sore after running. Just be patient and listen to your doctor and your body. It takes time for things to fall back into place.

[Anonymous]

No heavy exercise (still working to find time for that, and DD is almost 2...), but we were out for long walks with the stroller very early - within the first couple weeks.

And to 12:28 - You should be able to walk as much as you feel up to pretty early. In the beginning it will probably be shorter / slower than you're used to, but you can definitely be up and moving.

[Anonymous]

I had a C-section and followed doctor's orders not to run until I was cleared to do so at my six week follow up appointment. I stopped running in my sixth month of pregnancy and starting to run postpartum in small increments at a slow pace wasn't so much a choice as it was the reality of my cardiovascular condition!

[Anonymous]

I waited until after the 6 week post-partum doctor visit to make sure everything healed properly. I felt like I could do something sooner, but I just wanted to make sure that I was given the all clear by my doctor.

[Anonymous]

I've been a runner all my life so not being able to run for the first 3 weeks was tough - long walks just weren't cuitting it.

I ran through both of my pregnancies up to the 9th month (just modified my pace).

I had a drug free vaginal birth both times, minimal tearing, bleeding stopped at 3 weeks, and was back out running through the neighborhood at 4 weeks... then did a 5K race at 8 weeks postpartem.


OP - have you always run/exercised? Just like in pregnancy, the post partem period is NOT the the time to start an exercise regime. Go slow. After you get the "all clear" from the doc, and you feel up to it, then start up.

[Anonymous]

After my second c-section, I was cleared for "all normal activity" at 4 weeks. I went for a run that afternoon.

[Anonymous]

To the PP who asked if she could swim. Since it's very likely that you'll still be bleeding at 3 weeks postpartum I highly doubt it. You cannot use tampons to stop THIS bleeding, unfortunately.