Exercise after C-Sec

[snowydrops]

I had an ELCS almost 5 wks ago. I am desperate to get back to some light exercise after my 6wk check but do not feel ready really at all.

I want to hear from others how the felt at this point and what they did when. So far I've walked several times (a mile or so) including one walk up hill with buggy which I really paid for (at 3.5wks with buggy).

It seems even walking still hurts after I do it but not so much during.

What I would love is to start a low intensity DVD at home but can anyone suggest anything I can at least aim towards?

Thanks v much

If you aren't managing gentle walking yet then I wouldn't recommend you try anything else at the moment. Will you be seeing your gp soon for a 6 week check?

It doesn't matter what everyone else was doing as recovery is so individual. Sounds like you aren't ready yet, and by pushing it you will do more harm than good.

Ask your GP, and also don't forget your pelvic floor exercises. When I had mine, the physio popped round the next day with a booklet with tips and suggested stretches etc - did you get similar?

No nothing from physio and nothing from hospital about what to do / not to do!

There's a great book called Caesarian Recovery by Chrissie Gallagher Mundy which includes gentle exercises to start rebuilding your muscles. I think by 5 weeks I was walking fairly comfortably with the baby in a sling but I was lucky to have a very easy recovery, it's important to listen to your body and build up gradually rather than being guided by other people's experience.

I wanted to start with buggy fit but they adviced to wait for 10 wks post section. You use your stomach muscles with so many types of exercise, it really makes sense to let them heal first!