Exercise 10weeks post c-section - pain! Help :(

[bxroro]

Help :(

I've had a straightforward recovery, although it's felt long, after an emergency c section 10 weeks ago. I've been trying to ease myself into exercise but last Friday I did some squats, lunges and a few other bits and I've been in so much pain since.

After speaking to the doctor she sent me to A&E who have checked bloods and confirmed no infection but they confessed themselves they can only assume that it's where I've done too much to soon as I need to take it easy.

I've got really bad anxiety about mine and my baby's health since he was born as it was a very traumatic delivery and first two weeks, so it's hard to know if I'm just being paranoid/anxious. I keep having horrible visions of me being rushed into hospital and having to stay in and it's really getting me down.

I keep telling myself and the doctors agreed if I had done some serious damage I'd be in severe pain or being sick etc. but I'm finding it difficult to keep a rational mind right now.

Has anyone else done 'too much too soon' post c-section that can offer me some reassurance?

It’s a bit different I guess but I did a spin class after 9 weeks (super straightforward recovery, second c section) and I was in pain for a week - too much too soon. Really stupid move on my part, but I’m my defence I literally felt back to normal. I wasn’t. Your ligaments are still all stretched from pregnancy, your scar is still healing, and you had major surgery. The doctors cut through something like seven layers of your body just weeks ago, take it easy for now and rest and ease back into it after the 12 week mark.

And congrats on the baby!

Dude, there's time for exercise. You'll get back to it, you will. But right now, take it easy. It's major abdominal surgery. As well as new baby hormones, sleeplessness and adjustment.

Walking plenty is fine for the next few weeks.

Congratulations on your baby.

I was definitely not ready for exercise before 12 weeks, and even then I think you need to take it easy. I’d just take the baby out for a walk in the pram everyday for now.

I’ve had 2 sections, it’s a big operation. Take it slowly. If you still don’t feel better in a week or so I’d speak to your GP again just to be safe.

People seem to forget that a c section is major surgery. They have cut through quite a few layers to get to baby so it’s going to take time to recover. I didn’t start anything like that until 4 months after and have only recently started doing ab exercises at almost a year post baby.

Stick to walking, gentle yoga/stretching. You need to allow your body time to heal otherwise you can hinder it or cause more long term damage. Plus your pelvic floor won’t be ready for any intense exercise.

Thanks so much everyone, it's crazy that we get the 'ok' to exercise but they don't offer much guidance in terms of what we can do other than light exercise which is so subjective!

You're so right and this has really reassured me.

@NoIDontWantToBuildASnowman this was exactly what I did, I felt amazing and back to normal physically. I guess we don't realise what's going on inside!

x

Light exercise is walking or something similarly gentle, not things that will put pressure on and bend the specific area you just had major surgery on. 10 weeks is way too early to be doing exercises like that. I tried some yoga stretches and a tiny bit of running 14 weeks after my second section and had to stop again for another month or so.