How soon after birth can I run?

Memily827 · February 2013

So before being pregnant I was just starting to get myself into running I'm a little overweight and was trying to lose. But then I got pregnant and all that kinda got thrown out the window. I try to walk when I can but this darn snow has made that a near impossibility. I would really like to start jogging after my babe is born June 6 but should I wait? Is there a certain amount of time that you should wait before you run. Or even take the child out in a jogging stroller?

My babe might be big so there is a possibility of a csec and I know I shouldn't after that but with a normal birth would it be ok?

This will be my first baby and you guys are the first I've asked about this.

creativeaim · February 2013

How long it takes before you can run post-pregnancy seems to vary for everyone. Though, I did read that you should wait until baby is 6 months to put them in the jogging stroller (unless you have a special carseat adapter thing?). I'm a first time mom, so this is just what I've read.

Advice from experienced mom-runners?

Arnegard · February 2013

Car seat adapters are meant to help the baby fit into the stroller, not to make you be able to run with them sooner.

You typically should wait for exercise (more than walking) until after your 6 week post partum check up. Then, you really shouldn't run with your baby until after 6-8 months.

We bought a treadmill and I would run with my youngest on a blanket next to the treadmill, in her bouncer, swing, exersaucer, PNP - whatever it took!!!

I also walked on the treadmill during my PG.

saintpaulJess · February 2013

6 weeks for you and 6 months for baby. Last time around, I started jogging at 4 weeks, but I'd run through most of my pregnancy.

argonne · February 2013

I'm the dissenting opinion here. I ran three weeks PP with DS in the BOB ( with a cars seat adapter). I stuck to known routes on smooth blacktop bike trails.

Having said that, I felt ready to run at that time. Don't force it if your don't.

AmberinDenmark · February 2013

3 weeks PP for me too. I just needed to get out of the house and some fresh air and felt like I should try it. I only ran 2.5 miles with some run/walk intervals but it really made me feel good. Listen to your body is the best advice.

hlkay31 · February 2013

Everyone is different. Your Dr. will let you know, but depending on stitches and how you are healing I would say it will vary between 2 - 6 weeks. I went for light jog/walks at 2 weeks, but was really listening to my body. I just needed to get out and move! I would say they actually became a run around 4 weeks. But I know many women whose Drs. had them wait until 6 weeks. Good luck getting back into it.

creativeaim · February 2013

I'm sure everyone has a different opinion/experience on this - everyone is ready to go at a different time. Like someone mentioned above, it probably depends how much you run during pregnancy.

I'm hoping to run until delivery, as long as all with baby and my body is well. Then see how delivery all goes down, which will probably effect recovery time hugely! I just know I'll go stir crazy being stuck in the house too much after baby is born I hope April is warm in northern MN this year! (yeah right...:) )

blu-eyedwife · February 2013

It depends on a lot of things:

1 - Your goals. Are you looking to just get out? What does jogging mean to you (ie, how fast/far are you going)?

2 - Your fitness level. When you say you were just starting to get into running, were you going out and running to the end of the block and back? Were you going out for a couple of miles a day/a week/etc? Are you keeping up with any exercise during your pregnancy? (I know you said the weather is keeping you, but you have some time before June)

3 - Your birth experience. Vaginal delivery with no complications/with complications/C-section, etc.

For me, I was running regularly before getting pregnant. I completed a half marathon during my first trimester and trained for another I ended up not running. I ran every day of my pregnancy, including the day I was induced. I had a vaginal delivery with no complications, and I was going on 3 mile walks 4 days after giving birth. I started back running around 3 weeks pp, after my bleeding had stopped, but I took it easy with 2 miles a day until I was cleared by my OB at my 6 week appointment. At that time I started training for another half marathon.

LSUnoelle1220 · February 2013

I was told I could start running as soon as I wanted to and felt like I could do it after a vaginal birth.

Check your stroller, I think they all have guidelines as to when you can take the baby jogging. I think ours says 6 months.

JG362009 · February 2013

I had a c-section and after my second baby I started running about 4 weeks pp. I don't have a jogging stroller so haven't taken the baby out but I felt great running then.

IncogNeato · February 2013

It so depends. With my first I pushed for 2.5 hours and I could feel the strain on my pelvic floor. I recovered quickly but even too much time on my feet at a few weeks out made me feel pressure and discomfort. If your pelvic floor has been strained and you run too soon, I believe you run the risk of incontinence (peeing yourself forever) or possibly even a prolapse.

This time I literally pushed once and baby popped out and my pelvic floor feels fine. So I would think that this time I could run by 4 weeks or so if I wanted (which I don't. I like exercise but hate running! Smile )

In general I'd advise waiting at least 4-6 weeks and starting really slow, ideally with fast walking or something low impact like the elliptical. I did walk by 2 weeks last time and was very careful not to overdo it.

lindsay.lou · February 2013

It depends on sooooo many factors.

I was running before I got pregnant and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with no tearing so I was able to run 2 weeks PP with both kiddos.

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