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?

Laters or sling = layers of skin, muscle, and womb.

Hi OP, 4 weeks after my EMCS for failure to progress (as an aside, it makes no difference why you had a section in terms of recovery, the same procedure has been carried out) I knelt on the floor to change DS nappy. As I stood up, my scar popped open about two inches. I had a severe infection in my scar, and then had to have my wound packed daily for the next 12 weeks as it healed from the inside out. Don't risk running, please. Can I ask why you want to exercise? Is it for your mental health or for exercise?

I was up and about v quickly, walking a few miles a day by day 7. I started v gentle jogging at 9 weeks and had to ease back as my skin tore. You may feel fine but your body isn't ready. I walked and walked and walked though (lived rurally and don't drive). It was vital for my mental health.

Oh and if I'd waited 6 months post bfing to exercise, I'd have waited four years...

Sorry, just seen your post about your MH, just walk!!

Talk to a medical professional before doing it. My DW had complications after her C-section which might have been due to pushing herself before she'd completely healed. Better safe than sorry.

A short walk. Is ok.
Running. No.
It's that simple.

I had a semi elective CS & my surgeon friend advised me no matter how good I felt to take it easy & rest as there is loads of internal stuff going on.

I'm an avid runner (these days) and think that you simply must nit do this.

But you could walk a Parkrun (can you walk for an hour and have no tingling in the scar?

Or do the best bit of Parkruna and volunteer. You'll get all the social benefits, and a fetching purple Tshirt idc.

Define it recommended for 6 weeks

I’m a runner and I have had 2 emcs, the second one under GA due to uterine rupture. I walked miles with my first baby in a sling or pram. Swam at 6 weeks. Ran at 11 weeks, about 2 miles. My second baby was 3 years later, and even that much later it was suggested that there could be a possibility that running “so soon” as the first baby might have been a contributory factor to the uterine rupture (baby and I are both fine, but for a short time we were very much not fine).

Walk, walk and walk some more
After my spinal op I was desperate to get out and they said walking was good especially on different surfaces to help my core and stop scar tissue in my back

So I stuck my headphones in, got Pokémon go and went to the local park which is huge and varied. Got a little loop going which ended at a coffee shop and built it up
That was really good and I get you about the mental health

Glad to see you are taking on board the feedback from here maybe go speak to your dr about it.

Are you even driving yet?

@Figgygal I feel like I definitely could drive but DH has put his foot down for the time being and wants me to wait until at least four weeks.

I wouldn't. I had an easy birth with DS2 (vaginal, no damage), exercised during pregnancy, was walking decent distances straight away so tried a run 10 days post partum. Fuck me. I thought my insides were going to fall out and I then felt very tender/bruised for the next few days 😳

Kept to walking and low weights at gym for another few weeks and then was back to normal so I'd take the extra few weeks especially given you've had surgery.

You have had major abdominal surgery!!! Do not run!!! Your body needs time to recover. By all means go for gentle walks. Check with your car insurance company re driving. I drove 3 weeks after both of my CS and I was fine. Car ins told me that their guidance was to drive if I felt fit enigma to carry out an emergency stop.

After my C section I started exercising before the 6 week mark as I felt fine. But obviously pushed it too much too soon as I developed a hernia and had to have corrective surgery a few months later. Whilst I can’t say for certain that the two are connected there’s guidelines for a reason. You’ve just had major surgery, give your body chance to heal, I wish I had.

For driving, it’s not about if you could drive, it’s about if you could do an emergency stop.

BikeRunSki your story sent shivers down my spine. Glad your both ok now

No - you could end up with an incisional hernia and weak pelvic floor . Far too early . You shouldn’t run for at least 8 weeks - this would be the absolute minimum. Stick to a power walk with the pram.

I think you’ve got the message OP!

The guidance from ‘Prams in the park’ who run Post-natal fitness classes near us is 6 weeks from a vaginal birth and 12 weeks from a c-section.

I had been very active up to birth and still didn’t run until more than 8 weeks after a straightforward vagibal birth and not again for a few weeks after that - I thought my insides were going to fall out! It’s just much too high impact. Go for the walk. Maybe look at some targeted exercises to help your recovery rather than risk it.

I think you're crazy. Are you addicted to exercise (serious question)?

^This. You have a problem OP

I think the increased impact from running as opposed to walking may cause you problems. I'm a former runner and had a section. Sounds like you're decided on trying though. Personally, I wouldn't attempt it, but if you must, be prepared to revert to plan b and walk. It's only a park run. If you walk the whole course, you'll not come last . It is pretty major surgery - maybe watch a bit of YouTube later and consider what amazing things your body has done and has dealt with in the last 40 weeks or so and consider giving it a little space to heal

I didn't have a C section but I had a vaginal tear and the stitches came out early and I got a fairly nasty infection - my GP says because I was trying to do too much to soon (and that was just walking, not running). I really regretted it, it then meant I was unable to walk far for weeks, and that was actually pretty lucky - I was more or less back to normal after six weeks, it could have been much worse. I also hated feeling confined and trapped but it's just not worth the risk.

Ive had 2 c sections and was v fit before both. I would wait until 6 weeks because it's major surgery and although you might feel good you still need to leave time to heal internally.
It would be much worse to give yourself complications when you've done so well so far.
I know it's hard and I had to really stop myself from going to far in the gym after my daughter, but I would definitely wait.

driving you may well invalidate your insurance if you drive before your 6 week check.

exercise gentle yes, lots of walking, great. Don’t run. Don’t gym!

I have had 2 c sections and felt fine the second time around.....and did more. But still took it easy.

3 weeks post partum baby will want to be like velcro. That’s totally normal.

Congratulations