[booskibabe]

I had my LO nearly 2 weeks ago and can't believe how great I feel. I really want to start exercising now (I'm already tracking calories), but I've heard that you can't exercise until after getting cleared from your doc. Truly, though, aside from my stitches itching like crazy (I had a 2nd degree tear) I feel normal. I would really like to start doing some pilates now rather than waiting for another month. Since I'm feeling so good, do you think that would be OK to do?
I can't wait to get the rest of the preggo weight off!

[Gale02]

I'd wait until you get the ok from your OB. Feeling good isn't an indicator that everything is ok, you need to give yourself enough time to heal even if you feel better.

Call your Dr and see if you can get in for a 3 or 4 week checkup, tell them you'd like to start exercising and want to make sure you can. They will probably be able to fit you in. JMO, of course.

[aphil]

I would say that gentle walking would be okay...but I would not start with strength training, Pilates, or anything like that just yet.

One of the issues, is that your uterus went from the size of a lime, to the size of a watermelon during your pregnancy. When the baby comes out, it takes a few weeks for it to slowly contract and shrink back down to normal size. It also is slowly getting rid of all of the linings, blood, etc. from the delivery. You also have tearing and stitches, and those need to be healed as well, and you don't want to put pressure on those stitches.

Many women also have anemia after a baby is born, for a little while as well...and all of your blood volume, positioning of your internal organs, and different things are changing now, returning to normal from your pregnancy. (Even your heart slightly changes position in your chest during pregnancy!)

Other than gentle walking, I would wait until you are cleared by your doc.

[almsthere]

Gotta love those postpartum hormones! Hang in there....take it slow! Slow down because around 6 weeks, all those great hormones leave your system and you could crash and burn!! Believe me, BTDT!!!!

Gentle walking, but no formal exercise until your doctor sees you at 6 weeks. You really need all 6 weeks to lay a firm foundation for the healing to continue!! Especially since you had stitches..slow down. If your bleeding starts back up to bright red, or resumes when it previously had stopped, you are doing too much. For me this was happening with my first child, when I was trying to do light housework, email, etc and not getting enough resting or sitting down time. Just take it easy! You never really get this time back ever again! If you do too much too early, you are just setting yourself up for complications down the line...BTW, I am an RN and mother of 3, currently pregnant with my fourth! So, I totally get the feeling good vibes and wanting to do more...you have to keep telling yourself that this is your mind's way of protecting yourself...and follow your restrictions closely!

Waiting to deliver myself soon...

[booskibabe]

Thanks for the reality check, ladies. The last thing I want is a relapse, so I guess I will stick to walking for now.

[kamesennin]

Congratulations! Did you have a boy or a girl? I remember feeling really good too, but it is just best to watch what you eat so you can make milk and heal up. I started walking slowly around 2-3 weeks. Some people wear a belly band to keep the stomach and organs together--I know mine were hanging out all over the place! I felt weird doing any ab work because my muscles were separated. I just worked on kegels and good posture while walking and then it was easy to transition into more exercise later.

[zeffryn]

oh man...no pilates. Try walking if you're looking for some exercise.

It's really best until you have the stitches out and you're completely healed before you try something more strenuous.

Tearing a tear? I'll tell you from experience...it is WAY worse than the original tear.