Can I really not exercise for 6 weeks after

[Knittynoodle]

I only wanted to go to Pilates to try and sort out my innards after the birth. Its hardly strenuous, its been 2 weeks and I only had one stitch.

Should I wait?

If you feel great and are itching to go then by all means go along. I'd just bear in mind that two weeks after birth your stomach muscles (rectus abdominus - muscles that join vertically down your abdomen but move to the sides during pregnancy to accomodate the growing uterus will not have returned to their normal position. This usually takes 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery and up to 12 weeks after caesarean delivery. If you're doing pilates before this period then you need to be sure of what exercises you can and can't do. Standard abdominal exercises are out until your rectus abdominus has come together (if you do abdominal exercises prior to this you can 'fix' them in their current state of separation which you absolutely don't want as they're a bugger to move again). You can do gentle knee rolls and obviously plank variants but should avoid loading strain on your abdominals and lower back so no crunches, obliques, leg lifts, etc.

If you're going to a specifically tailored post-natal pilates class then you'll be fine, but do listen to your body and stop doing anything that doesn't feel right. If you're going to a standard class then that advice is even more applicable. I'd go very, very carefully. In fact, I'd be far more inclined to go for a good walk (granted not easy if you've got snow) and also do some simple pilates at home. Leg rolls and plank variants (on hands and knees, pull your abdominals up and 'through' your spine with slow breathing).

Hope this helps.

If you've a straightforward birth with no problems, you can start exercising as soon as you feel up to it. I started walking and doing gentle yoga in the first couple of days and jogging after 2.5 weeks. I've seen others on here whose experience was similar.

You can start sooner, I did. But you should only do static stomach exercises to begin with until your stomach muscles are back together and make your pilates instructor aware that you've recently given birth.

Same as togarama. Walking then jogging as it is what I felt comfortable and able to do. It felt wonderful, physically and psychologically to be getting out, even if I didn't go very fast or far. Pelvic floor muscles weren't so wonderful for a while though!!