Feeling low at the gym after giving birth

[OliviaRinHerts]

Hi

Can anyone offer me advice / help please?

I've got an amazing 11 week old baby and I am so grateful BUT I used to love sport - running, step, aerobics and now I can't even do 5 mins on the cross trainer without needing a pee. I tried running and nearly peed myself. It is so depressing. I have read after birth you need to keep both feet on the ground whilst exercising to avoid this but I'm desperate for some high impact stuff. I used to spin so am going to give that a go but having been to the gym tonight I am in tears. I can do squats lunges and resistance stuff but I love cardio. Also when I go back to work I was planning on running to work from station but that seems impossible. I know I won't be going back for a while and it is still early days but I'm desperate to shift the weight and get toned.

I've started a mum and baby Pilates class as I can only really go to the gym when DH gets home ie 8 pm because of childcare ie In have any which is in itself a mission as I used to be a -6am gym bunny. Sad I know but it made me feel so great.

Any advice out there pleas to cheer me up?

[nottheOP]

A weak pelvic floor is very common after childbirth but it shouldn't continue for a long period of time.

Do you know how to do your pelvic floor exercises? Have you been checked for something else going on there - prolapse etc. There's a poster on MN who goes by gussiegrips (I think) who is worth a search

It is worth going to the dr with, they can refer you to physio who teach you how to do the exercises.

FWIW, I struggled when I started to do some running in the last year (DS 2 in June) but with a bit more concentration and bizarrely more running, it seems to have sorted it out. I think that the exercise kind of helps.

Pilates is also good.

Just remember that your body has been through a lot. You will get there but it takes longer that you may have bargained for to recover from pregnancy and childbirth.

[Shallishanti]

here's gussie grips- very funny and very informative

[OliviaRinHerts]

Thank you. I'm doing mum and baby Pilates. I'm doing my pelvic exercises and will look into gussie as well. I've been referred to physio but was wondering if those electrical stimulators might be any good?

It was just very depressing going to the gym and not being able to do any cardio without rushing to the loo and I'm desperate to loose some weight. I didn't expect it to be easy but I guess when the reality happens it is tough.

Thanks again for the replies

[BaconIsMyFriend]

Olivia please don't worry too much, I was the same (my baby now 7 months) and only now can I run without pretty much wetting myself. It did come back. Keep 'gripping'!

If you fancy a laugh at my expensive I was so desperate to do some exercise one day I bought some full on Tena pants to wear

[Chipandspuds]

I can't remember where I read it but I'm sure it's 4 months for your pelvic floor to return back to it's normal state after having a baby.

[OliviaRinHerts]

Thank you both for making me feel better and bacon no - I won't be laughing at you! If you can do that so can I... Who is going to know I'm wearing them when I am running outside and if a bit (or a lot of pee for that matter) comes out, who will know!

[BaconIsMyFriend]

That's the spirit !

[WipsGlitter]

I would go ton the doctor and make sure there's nothing out if the ordinary going on.

What about brisk walking with the pram? Can be done during the day.

[meglet]

There's a long thread somewhere called 'running with poor pelvic floor..', Gussie is there halfway through to lecture us on what to do. Let me find it for you.....

[SnowPetrel]

Are you breast feeding? Annabel Karmel says that burns equivalent calories to running 4-5 miles a day.

[meglet]

here you go

[DPotter]

It's old and it's a cliche - however remember it took 9 mths for your baby to grow, it's going to take a similar amount of time for your body to recover. in the meantime - pram pushing is good and at the gym try the sitting down options - bikes & rowing machines. And remember to pull it up and pull it in for the pelvic floor!

[MoonlitHorizons]

I've heard it takes a long time for pelvic floor to completely return to normal - my sister had a horribly weak PF after her DD but now runs regularly.

Have you tried waterproof pants? (I know they sound awful, but I promise they're not, my sister swore by them) - company set up by Carol Smillie and Annabel Croft, I can't remember the name... (anyone?). But they stop anything leaking through so you have time to get to the loo and not look like you've wet yourself... They look/feel like normal pants - I was amazed when my sister showed me.

[MoonlitHorizons]

I've just seen on another thread the name - they're called DiaryDoll (www.diarydoll.com)

[OliviaRinHerts]

Thanks for all the posts. I had a physio apt yesterday and she has discharged me. She says everything is fine and I have good control but as you all say it will take time. I am breastfeeding but haven't found the weight drop off but I'm going to try a spin class this week (I use to do them every day at one time).

I know I shouldn't be so down - it is only 12 weeks I guess but I'm impatient :-)

Thanks again everyone

[CruCru]

It takes 12 weeks for your body to begin to get back to normal. Up to 9 months for the extra elasticity in your ligaments to go. Be kind to yourself, it's really good that you're trying any of this while your baby is under 6 months. Most people sit around eating Jaffa cakes.

[jalopyjane]

Have you tried buggyfit? Worth seeing if they have classes in your are. As it's all tailor made for mums with babies it makes all this feel normal. The instructor I had advised no running until 5 months after the birth (longer if pelvic floor problems).

You'll get there - it's still so early

[OliviaRinHerts]

Truth is I love exercise and even though it is early days exercise makes me feel alive ( even though sometimes I dread it!). I know not everyone thinks like this (some people call me mad) byt it is more about how it makes me feel than the weight ( the endorphins). I did a spin class last week and thoroughly enjoyed it so can do that instead of running if things don't improve but from all the posts I just need to be a but patient :-)

I found out about buggy fit last week but it clashes with mum and baby Pilates but will definitely give it a go after Christmas. Thanks!

[sleepdodger]

Start With brisk buggy walking I did about 2 miles a day and suddenly at 16 weeks post birth dropped loads of weight- first 6 weeks had plenty of lovely infected stitch issues where I could barely wear knickers

[OliviaRinHerts]

Sleep dodger

How old is your little one now? I have done a little walking but the weather puts me off but good to know things kick started at 16 weeks.. Sorry to hear about your stitches hell. Mine healed fairly well although the last lot of stitches only came out this week (at 12 weeks) which I'm thrilled about!