Exersize After C Section?

I had 2 sections, each time i waited 6 weeks to exersize.But was walking in the neighborhood 7 days later. I do not think you can do biking or jogging just yet. I have friends who had 4 sections and they look great. It really all depends on how you're built and how much work you're willing to put in.

Hi!
I gained 85 lbs with my first. I was a size 6 at conception and an XXL maternity upon delivery. I had everything, edema, early dilation at 22 weeks which led to bed rest, carpal tunnel, rashes, hemmoroids, nasty skin it sucked. I couldn't believe it! I could not have imagined anything like that happening to me in my life. People that had known me for several years didn't recognize me at all. My boss told me his new girlfriend looked like Shania Twain and I looked like I ate Shania Twaine. haha...
I had a c-section. It didn't rip open ( but i was careful) I am all healed just fine. Take your time. DOn't rush it. I lost all but 12 lbs of the weight and feel great! I'm preggers now ( first trimester) and it took me this long ( my daughter will be 3 in June) t o get over how much I hated being pregnant the first time.

I had a c-section and started my exercise program slowly. Treadmill, exercise bike. I began taking a pilates class too but that was about 6 months after my son was born. I did experience some soreness at times and still do but it goes away. If you have any concern, you can always consult your Dr but I think you will do fine. I was so swollen for weeks after I thought I would never lose it but you will. I lost all but about 15 pounds....but still working on it!! Good luck!!!

I had an early c-section. I fell and fractured my ankle. I started therapy right around 7 weeks. My son is 26 months and I still do have numb areas on parts of the scar. I would recommend taking it slow. If you have one, strap on a sling or baby carrier, and start walking. It is the easiest way to fill good, and start losing some weight without doing something extreme. If you don't have one I totally would suggest getting one. I still carry my 2 year old around in it. Definetly burn more calories that way then pushing a stroller. Try not to fill to bummed. It does take slightly longer to bounce back from a c-section, but next summer you should have that rockin bod back.

I had two C Sections and it does get better. You will not have to wear 'mom pants' for long and nursing will make that a lot quicker! You will lose weight a lot quicker. If you are wanting to get out, go walking. It is good for you anyway even with the surgery. I did get carparl tunnel as well, it also goes away but you have to not spend too much time on the computer or anything that keeps your wrists or arms in the same place for awhile. You can get a brace to wear on your wrist while using it if you want to. I did not get nursing heachaches but maybe you can just take an aspirin when that happens...or maybe you are hungry. You ARE supposed to eat about 500 calories EXTRA a day when you are nursing so you could be hungry or dehydrated. I did not get hemmoroids but you can just get the cream or the suppository and it should help. I did not get a broken vein due to pregnancy but I do have rosacea and the broken capillaries, you can get a cream from a Derm to prevent more from coming. I use Metro Gel and it works great. :O) C Sections are great b/c you did not use your ???? to push a large baby out! My belly is not great but I am older than you and have had two. It is not b/c of the C section though, those scars are really small. Have more babies, it has only been 11 days and you are just hormonal. Love your body, you had a baby!!! :o)
W.

Congrats on your little one.
I had a c-section almost 20 years ago and I got down to a size five. Since then I have had two more children ages 13 and 15.
I only had one c-section, the only two were vaginal.
I am in my 40s so it is harder for me to keep the weight off, but just keep moving through out the day and the weight will come off.
Good Luck
S.

I've had 3 C-Sections and the recovery gets easier with each one. However, I would caution to take it easy with the exercise this early. You probably didn't know this, but it's actually illegal in most states to even drive after a C-Section for 2 weeks and even vacuuming is a big no no. The worst thing that could happen if you don't follow doctors orders are you could end up with a histerectomy. That being said I've always walked after having my sections, even just days after giving birth. Walking will get you outside and hopefully help you feel better about yourself with doing any damage to your recovery. After 6 weeks you can slowly start back to an exercise routine, trust me 6 weeks passes very quickly. Good luck!

I'm a c/s mom myself, and may I offer a link?
http://www.ican-online.org/ and in the upper left, click on forums. When I needed a group who would hear me about how c/s caused me a frown-y body image and needed ideas on recovery, physical and mental, and what to do for the next pregnancy, assuming I ever got that brave again, they were INVALUABLE. (And I get that some women have fine c/sections and wouldn't need such a support group, but other women have c/sections that are not all rainbows and cupcakes and do need it. To each her own.) Anyway, they'd for certain have good responses to these kind of query...

I had twins 13 1/2 years ago...and the pain will be with me for another 4 1/2 years LOL!! When I had my C-section, I was in severe pain for the first 7 days. When I went back to the dr at my 1 week check up, she took out my staples and most of my stitches. I think the rest of the stitches came out a week or two later. I was a little afraid of having my incision rip open (first surgery)but the body is really stronger than we give it credit for. I had one section about 1/2 an inch that was a little stubborn and took a while to close but it never ripped open. I felt like a new person at about the 2 1/2 or 3 week mark. By the time my 6 weeks check up came,, I was feeling normal again. I would definitely wait until the 6 weeks check up before I started an exercise routine and I would start out slowly, however, there is no reason why you cannot start walking earlier...put the baby in a stroller and go for a short walk. You will have to stroller for support if you need it. Just keep in mind not to walk until the point where you are tired...you still would have to turn around and walk back home!Start out slow, your body is still healing and that takes alot of energy. As for pain, I hurt for the first week...slept in a recliner cause I couldn't get out of my bed from lying down flat. There was some pain the second week. After that it was a breeze. I haven't had pain since, in fact my incision in a little on the numb side. I have since had to have surgery again to have a cyst, tube and ovary removed. They cut through the scar tissue. Again I had to sleep in a recliner. The hardest part of this ordeal was that I cold not poop for about 8 days. This was more painful than the actual incision sight. I was so scared that I would bust my stitches from straining. It took about 12 week for me to heal from this ordeal...once spot about an inch long would not close again (different spot though). That being said, every time and every body is a different healing process. You will get through it. This last surgery was almost 2 years ago and still I have no pain that has lingered. My advice...take it slow and don't worry until your body physically tells you to worry. Listen to what it is telling you and you will know when and how much to exercise. You are going to be fine. Good Luck and congratulations!

Hi A.!
I have not had a c-section, but I just wanted to say that this phase will pass!!! I am sure you are feeling extremely tired with all that comes with actually giving birth to a baby and then taking care of a newborn. Everything feels overwhelming and like it is never going to end!! This IS a phase, things will change, you will get back to a more normal routine, with normal sleep, and you will get to exercise. Don't worry!! Hang in there!
Cyndi

Oh my goodness, don't let the stuff on the internet scare you. I had a c-section for my second (she was breech so it was planned) and I had vaginal for the first. I was freaking out about the recovery period and when I read other mother's stories online it completely freaked me out. No stairs for 2 weeks!? Pain months later!?

Not the case for me, it was not a big deal AT ALL. You will know what feels good for your body. Just take it slow and you will be fine. I was going up the stairs 2-3x/day by 4-6 days after delivery (SLOWLY and easily). I was walking my older daughter to school (aobut 1/4 mile) 2 weeks after delivery. I did that every day and slowly added other things. By 6 weeks I was really seriously walking/exercising 1-2 miles. The key is just to listen to your body, don't push it and build up gradually.

And, by the way, I am not an athlete by any means; I am actually 50 lbs overweight. Just an average lady who recovered quite easily from a c-section. Good luck!

I have had 2 c-sections. The second was a little harder to recover from only because there's 12 years between them. I have had no problem excercising other than no motivation.... it will get better! it's only been 11 days. You'll notice a big change between now and your 6 week check up. Nursing helped me a lot with tightening my stomach up only because I would try to hold it in so the baby didn't kick my incision.

A., take a deep breath and relax! I've had 3 C-sections, the first two were emergent and the third was planned. Also with the first 2 I was active duty, which meant luckily I didn't need the motivation! It was mandatory! I started working out after the 6 week suggestion but after my second child, walked up a steep windy road to see the Neuswanstein castle in Germany, after only 2 weeks. A little sore but no problems otherwise. It's really up to you about how soon you get back to business. I would advise starting slowly...maybe walking...and easing into a brisker walk. Sometimes you'll feel little sharp stabbing pains around your incision....they cut the same strip all three times....but it's ok, it's called scar tissue...after 5 years I still feel mine when I fold my treadmill up. A promising note....after my second child, I began working out again after 8 weeks and by the time she was 16 months I looked better than I did before children! It's all dependent on you, but please, take it easy at first and your body will tell you when it's done. A bike ride shouldn't be difficult unless it's in the hills...maybe find a smooth flat road, if they exist! Good luck and congratulations!!! Babies are a wonderful joy to our lives, even when they are fighting and screaming with their 13 and 10 yr old sisters!!! LOL! Take care! Also, are they twins???? Remember, it took you 9 months to get into those "mommy pants" it may take that long to get completely out of them! Be smart and do it slowly! It will help keep the skin tighter

I had two C-sections. My middle child was an all natural vaginal delivery. My first and last children were breech and could not be turned. The vaginal delivery was an absolute breeze compared to my sections. It did take me a full 6 weeks to feel completely recovered. For the 6 weeks recovery period I took advantage of the time to work on eating healthy. I needed to lose approx. 30 pregnancy pounds. I counted my calories and tried to eat 3 small but nutritious meals everyday. I did manage to lose about 7 pounds during the six weeks. After my follow up on the surgery, I added a 30 minute walk 4x's a week. About 8 weeks out I started back to my normal workout. No problems, and the weight really did fall off at that point. Keep in mind that you have had a major surgery. You will need to be careful for the 6 week period. You most definately can bounce back to normal though. I mean, I was able to deliver my 2ND, vaginally with no problems what so ever! Hang in there. It will get better. I am now 46 with 3 teenagers and menopause! I have all of a sudden gained about 15 pounds, my hair is greying and my breast are heading south!! I'm trying not to shoot my husband and string my teenager up on certain days, but I know from expeirience that this too will get better. One day at a time. Feel better soon A..

Congrat's On your new addition!

My Sister has had 3 c-sections and has never had any after-birth tearing or anything...she was up a week after all of them and was swimming ,hiking within 2 weeks..ha ha ha she's also gave me great advice to lose weight after my daughter 2 years ago and that is....Berries they will make you drop the weight like a hot potato I lose all the 55 lbs I gained in 2 1/2 to 3 months and I am back down to the size pre-baby but swimming is also a very very very..lol great tool for dropping the weight! Best wishes for you and your family and Good Luck!

A.,

First let me start off by saying congratulations on your baby!

I have had three c-sections. After each one I hated wearing those maternity pants, it is kind of depressing. But when you put everything in perspective, you don't have to be in them too long. Plus, I found that those pants were easier to wear when it comes to keeping your pants off your surgery line. Nursing helps a lot in getting back to your pre-pregnancy size. After each of my c-sections, I was able to get back down to my size. It wasn't easy but it is possible. Along with nursing and exercising I did Weight Watchers.

Walking is also good for right now. After your six weeks you can dive into more exercises. Take this time to enjoy your newborn and maybe do some research into the types of exercises you will like to do once you are ready.

As far as the other problems, I am sorry but I can't help you. I haven't had any of them. I am sure there are some other ladies on this site that can give you some helpful advice.

Good luck and stay positive, it is going to be okay.