What are you "allowed" to do with a newborn?

[Camomila]

Maybe a silly question as I know it all depends on individual circumstances but just wanted to know what an "average" safe amount of activity was.

When I had DC1 I had a 3rd degree tear and pph and could barely walk for 3 weeks, I had DC2 Monday lunch time, only had a 2nd degree tear and was home by bedtime so feel very different in terms of energy and pain.

I just don't want to accidentally do something stupid because I feel so well compared to last time - I picked my nearly 4 year old up to cross a busy road this morning and then suddenly remembered something about not being allowed to exercise for 6 weeks and stomach muscles separating!?

I'll ask the community mw when she comes round tomorrow too.

Thanks :)

when they mean exercise they mean a class or something lol!

its about not going spinning or something!

normal day to day life is fine. just stop if it hurts. I had a c section. days after I was having sunday lunch in a pub, walking round tesco, an amble in town with ds.

the worst thing you can do is nothing. a

1. you`ll sieze up
2. walking/pottering keeps circulation going to prevent problems and you`ll feel better for it.

I was pretty much normal on the day of birth after my 2 (no tear on first, 2nd degree tear on 2nd).
I went on a long ish walk on day 3 & that was a bit much-found after pains worse on 2nd.
I just did everything I would normally do but in black trousers & interspersed with a bit more rest

Thanks weeble , I had hyperemisis all the way through this pg (the anti sickness tablets made me really sleepy and weak) so it's odd feeling like a young healthy person again and actually being able to do day to day stuff without feeling dizzy or needing to sit down after!

Unless you've had a c-section or have a medical condition there's absolutely no reason why you and your new baby can't just go about life as normal, at whatever pace you feel comfortable with.

It's fine to want to stay snuggled up at home, especially if you are sore and tired, but it's also good to get out and about.

I had loads of stitches from tearing and a broken coccyx with DC1 but I still couldn't wait to get out and about with him. Spent a fair bit of time lounging around feeding at home though too.

With DC2 it was business as usual from hours after she was born. I had a toddler to look after and didn't really slow down at all. I kind of wish I had in some ways.

Do what feels right for you :)

Re: the separated stomach muscles, that means 'don't do sit-ups, crunchies or any Jane Fonda workouts'.