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Health & Exercise
lindseyjane03
member
How long after
lindseyjane03
member
giving birth did you start exercising again? Did you wait for the doc to release you or did you just listen to your body? I'm 36 weeks and my body is making me disgusted. I haven't gained 30 lbs yet, but may by the time I deliver. I just want to jump back into it asap after birth, so I don't completely lose all motivation! HELP. I appreciate your stories.
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Re: How long after
Everyone is very different. You might end up with a really easy delivery, tearing or a c-section. That was the part that made me nervous before delivering and knowing that I wanted to get back into exercise after.
I had a pretty normal delivery, other than an episiotomy and went against the advice of my midwives (not because I had problems, just because they tell everyone wait until 6 weeks pp) and started running after 4 weeks and got back on the bike at 5 weeks. I definitely wasn't out running or biking every day, since I was still pretty sore. I walked on days that I was too sore to get my butt on a bike or run. The walking helped to keep me motivated and moving. I used pain as a guide to decide how much to do. Just listening to your body is probably the most important thing. You don't want to injure yourself or cause any damage. Good luck with your delivery!
Ooooh...please take a deep breath and try not to be grossed out by your body. It sounds like you are gaining a healthy amount of weight for how far along you are. Love that your body is bringing a healthy new life into the world!
Listen to your health care provider about exercise. Follow their advice and listen to your body.
My NMW had a LOOOONG and serious talk with me before discharge about working out. She knew I was a runner and that I was still doing intervals and working out up until the day before I was admitted. I had a bit of a tough go during labor...suffice it to say it was LONG and Baby Bix flipped unexpectedly and came out sunny-side up. Her exact words at discharge? "His head paved a six lane highway down there. You don't want anything falling out. Start out with gentle and slow walking at 2 weeks or so." She recommended just a walk around the block at a week or two. I could barely make it I was so weak! But I recovered quickly and was walking 2-3 miles in a few weeks. I followed her advice about running and waited until my 6 week follow up. I'm so glad I did! My hips needed time to adjust...as did 'other' parts. When I was cleared to go back, I was ready! I was running 5Ks within just a couple of weeks. My body is still different from pre-pregnancy but I'm back at my weight and my former running speed (just not my endurance level yet.)
Take your time. Enjoy your last weeks of pregnancy before the baby arrives! Best of luck to you.
Aww, don't say that about your body. Your baby is in there!
(Says the girl who's THRILLED to not be pregnant anymore.)
I had a c/s at 34w4d with twins, and I started run/walking at 2 weeks and running full time at 4 weeks. My doctor gave me the standard "wait 6 weeks to start running again" order, but she also said she trusted me to listen to my body. I stopped running at 33w and started running 2w pp, so technically I only took about a month off. I think that really helped me keep my fitness.
Oddly enough, it wasn't my lungs, heart, legs, or motivation that made it hard. It was my lack of core muscles that slowed me down. I'm 8w pp now, and they're just starting to come back.
Stay smart, but you can do it! Good luck with the homestretch.