To want to run 3 weeks post c-section?

[Justwanttorun]

DS was born 3 weeks ago by emergency cesarean for failure to progress (rather than any serious emergency). I have had no complications since and recovery has actually been very easy. I get some mild tingling/stinging in my scar from time to time but that’s all.

I’ve been walking several miles, off road so on relatively technical terrain, most days since about 10 days postpartum. I did 5 miles with the pushchair on my own on Wednesday. I exercised regularly right up until the end of my pregnancy and had done a long gym session the day my waters broke so I still feel like I have a reasonable level of fitness.

DH is doing parkrun tomorrow and suggested I might like to walk the course with DS. WIBU to walk the first couple of loops of the course with DS in the pushchair, then let DH take him once he’s finished and gently jog the last loop - about 1.5km? Obviously it would be VERY gentle and slow and I would walk if it hurt at all.

What is my GP actually going to tell me at 6 weeks about my recovery and my readiness to exercise that I done already know/feel now? Has anyone else resumed activity a bit earlier?

Oh my gosh I struggled to walk!

I think you're crazy. Are you addicted to exercise (serious question)?
You have had major abdominal surgery, cutting through many layers of muscle, womb etc. Walk if you must but give yourself another 3 weeks to recover without doing any damage. If you overdo it you will get scarring forming which adheres different layers together internally, which may cause complications later.

I wouldn't risk it. Lots on internal healing going on that you can't see. Wait another few weeks.

I wouldn’t, you feel great now and that’s fab but it’s only been a few weeks and your body still needs more time to heal, you don’t want to risk getting any complications that you’ve avoided so far by being too keen.
I have had 2 c-sections and felt great like you after one of them and was keen to do more (I went for an hour walk when she was 5 days old) but really the walking is fantastic enough for now, give it a couple more weeks at least. Your body is still repairing and healing inside - it’s a major op, just carry on what you’re doing and don’t push yourself. It’s not long to hang on.

I would file this under who cares really- as I who cares If jog 1.5km or not? It’s not going to improve your life if it goes well. It’s not important enough to risk setting back your recovery. Take it easy.

Don’t do it and I say that as someone who went back to the gym gently 4 weeks after a section. I waited until 8 weeks before I ran. You will put your recovery back just for the sake of impatience.

Absolutely not. I agree with the other posters, you’ve had major surgery and everything is still healing.

You might feel fine but even with gentle light jogging there’s a lot more impact than walking. What harm will it do to wait a month or so from now? You won’t lose fitness, you’ll get right back into it when you’re ready.

No way. It might feel ok but it won't be healed inside and you could give yourself long term problems. You need to get plenty of rest for everything to heal. (I've had 3 sections) remember all your organs have been moved about as well during this operation.

Ps congratulations on your new born

YABU It's not just your skin healing. Your uterus can bleed catastrophically if you rupture your wound.

Don't do it. It's not the CS, it's your pelvic floor. You can permanently damage it by going back to a high impact exercise like running too soon.

I do get you. I worked out until birth with both of mine and was back working out at 6-8 weeks pp. But this is not the time for running.

Don’t. The forces involved will do damage. It’s great you’ve had a good recovery but however good you feel, your tissues physically cannot have healed sufficiently in three weeks. You put yourself at risk of internal bleeding, adhesion formation etc.

I’m almost six weeks out from a section - there’s no way I’d run right now, even though I feel ok.

Leave it s few more weeks, loads of walking and ease back in. You’ll be back to it before you know, but too soon and you risk damage

With respect op, there's only one reason you would want to do this- to show to yourself and possibly others that you're fit and strong despite being only 3 weeks post CS. There is no reason to do it. You stand to risk far more than you would gain by doing it. Take it easy until your check up.

And I do speak as someone who went back to my sport 3 weeks after an svd, but very gently and didn't participate competitively until 8 weeks.

Congrats on your newborn. I second everyone else, take it easy. I've had two sections. Although you may feel better you're still healing and could do damage which could set you back even more.

Walk yes
Run absolutely not

They cut through your abdominal wall
If you do not let it heal - and running will jar it with every step - you may pay for that morning for many many years to come.

Everything is stretched and weakened and flooded with relaxin. Unless you are a pro runner and serious about your Pilates you risk a prolapse which could change your life.

Could be really bad for you internally and pelvic floor wise.

If anything goes wrong (i.e.scar open up internaly or scars badly)and does not heal right and can have a huge impact on future pregnancy risks and birth choices.

Hi OP. Postnatally we are not supposed to run for a long time (12 months post natal. Or 6 months after you stop breastfeeding)

Now, as you were very fit during pregnancy it means you don't have to take it so easy.

Running puts huge stress on your pelvic floor muscles which of weakened can cause prolapse. Also your rectus muscles won't have returned back to their normal place, this means your abdomen is unstable. Which can sometimes result in causing a diastasis recti (search the term in Google).

Best to wait to see your GP first

Walk the park run- walking is absolutely fine

You are not even meant to drive for 6 weeks, never mind run!

You have a wound the size of a dinner plate in your uterus from where your placenta was, you have had major abdominal surgery into that same uterus. 21 days ago. Who are you trying to prove yourself to that they would want you to risk the damage you would suffer from running?

DO NOT DO THIS.
You will risk a deep wound dehiscence or a hernia requiring further surgery. A C section is the same wound as a hysterectomy although nothing was removed.
Your would will not have even 50% if it’s original strength at this stage.
DO NOT DO IT
Wait until 6 week check.

Are you ok? It sounds like you're a very fit and active person anyway, but this level of activity (5 mile walks) etc is unusual post partum - are you feeling like you need to be out of the house/baby wont settle unless out? X

You’ve already been doing too much, and running is an absolute no.

I had a c section and recovered well from it, but no way would I have jeopardised my long term health by running after only three weeks.

I’m usually likely to encourage people to get up and mobile after an op and I was driving, carrying DD in a sling and walking the dog over hilly terrain at 3 weeks without major drama but running is very different. The pounding on your pelvic floor is what you don’t want to risk. Let it heal.