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?

Postnatally we are not supposed to run for a long time (12 months post natal. Or 6 months after you stop breastfeeding)
Sorry, what ?
Never heard that before and any mum of a toddler knows its piffle

I wouldn't and I've been walking 3 plus miles 5 days a week with a pram since my dd was 2 weeks old (my 2nd emergency section). She's currently 16 weeks and apart from lots of walking/some gentle pilates I'm still taking it easy.

Just walk the course.

The physio advised me to wait 12 weeks after c section to start running again. Less high impact exercise is obviously ok sooner.

No, go running if you feel well enough
I did.
As long as your muscles are back together go for a lovely gentle jog!

I thought it was 12 weeks after birth or 6 months after breastfeeding. AFAIK it's related to the hormones that are still in the system that increases the likelihood of injury.

Yikes! IABU! 😬

I think it is likely related to my mental health that I am so desperate to get moving. I have always had mild depression/anxiety which I have mostly been able to manage with fresh air and exercise so found pregnancy really difficult as I was so sick for a really long time and then by the time I got back into exercise following the hyperemesis, found myself much more limited than I was used to. I kept telling myself how great it was that I could start from scratch once DS was here but obviously the EMCS has put a bit more of a hold on that than I’d hoped for. Emotionally I’m coping but I do absolutely have to get outside every day.

@AnotherBun he is a bit of a Velcro baby and struggles to settle on his own (wants to be feeding or sleeping on me) which I am totally okay with and appreciate is normal and I have been trying to be a bit more useful with him in the sling, but popping him in the pushchair and going out sends him to sleep and makes me feel like I’m achieving something.

We also live very rurally so with not driving, walking is my only option if DH isn’t around!

My waters broke whilst in the pool swimming, and I recovered from an emergency c section (failed instrumental) very well (was walking a couple of miles a day plus from 2w Post partum) and I am agog that you would even consider something so foolish.

As all the others have said, you are absolutely insane for even considering this. You have massive internal injuries. Just don’t do it.

there’s so much you can do without running - just stick to that and follow the guidelines around impact exercise.

Ta1kinpeace
This is the advice two postnatal fitness instructors gave me... Very recently

Do not risk getting post surgery adhesions, it's awful

Enjoy the walk, enjoy the company, enjoy the sunshine
but keep one foot on the ground at all times

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

Has anyone told Gwen Jorgensen this? Or Mirinda Carfrae?

I’ve done the reading WRT relaxin whilst breastfeeding so understand the logic here but that seems very extreme.

That’s really bizarre advice from those fitness instructors namechanger

namechanger That’s their opinion so I don’t agree with you posting it like some kind of proven medical fact.

Possibly extreme.
Yes there are some ladies who have run marathons soon after giving birth. But like I said in my first post, the OP stayed very fit throughout her pregnancy, so she is possibly one of those people who is able to run a lot earlier than the majority of post natal mothers.

This is the advice two postnatal fitness instructors gave me...
Ah good, cobblers then.
I'll ignore it till I see an obstetrician say it thank you

No. I’ve got Paula Radcliffe’s book and she said she fractured her sacrum by running too soon after giving birth, at 12 days. She didn’t have a c section though! I can’t find the book just now but she stressed you need to go be your body a chance to recover. You’ve had major abdominal surgery, your core muscles will be f**ked at the moment- give yourself a chance to recover. Running will wait for you!

You are completely bonkers. Give yourself a break

Please don't. You sound absolutely exercise obsessed.
This is seriously not right.

Felicity I don’t want one! I like being active! I feel more energised and happy when I’m getting outside and moving. Sitting around at home does nothing for my mental health and makes me feel tired and unmotivated.

I appreciate that running is a bad idea now but I really don’t want ‘a break’.

I just wanted to add, I thought I was quite well recovered 3 weeks post cs but actually although I was feeling a lot better at that point it wasn't completely recovered at all. After about 6 weeks I felt much better again. I don't think you can entirely trust your own judgement on this! I wouldn't say I was completely recovered for at least a year.

OP i get where you're coming from. I also had a very easy recovery from a c section and felt great 3 weeks post partum.

But I'd wait until 6 week check before running. Just do loads of walking in the meantime.

|I felt absolutely great after my c-section. So great I totally overdid (trip out to a hilly place), ended up crippled double in pain and had to be helped back to the car by my husband, half carrying me, and was housebound for a week. So y'know, be careful.

I get you as I felt okay to get on with things within a week of an ECS and I also use exercise to deal with depression and anxiety. However the advice you are given post-section is for very valid medical reasons (as previously listed). You may be okay or you really might not be. You have had major surgery and whether you like it or not your body needs to recover from this and also the impact of pregnancy and changed hormones (in particular on your muscles and joints). It is a massive risk.

Nooo.

At 3 weeks the wound only has 20% of the strength of normal skin. It takes three months to reach 80% strength.

Honestly don’t run 3 weeks after major abdominal surgery which has sliced through nerve ending, laters or sling, muscle and womb. You will fuck yourself up good and proper.

I understand wanting to exercise to help your mental health but running at this stagecould seriously fuck your body forever and therefore really cause problems for managing your mental health in the future.

I’d suggest walking somewhere green / in nature. Having picnics outside. Etc. Best of luck and stay well x