How long after c section were you able to exercise comfortably

[roobine]

I'm 9 months pp. I had a straightforward pregnancy but ended up having an emergency c section 18 days overdue as my dd was stuck.
Recovery went ok and after having the all clear from my gp at 13 weeks I started a postnatal yoga course. This went fine but I didn't continue as I don't really enjoy yoga.
Since this time I've had several goes at reengaging with exercise that I enjoy more (circuits, hiit) but each time I've experienced a tugging / twinging sensation. It's not always in the same place and ranges from being around my vagina to my lower stomach near my c section scar. It's not enough to stop me exercising completely, but I feel nervous doing certain exercises as it doesn't feel quite right. I've tried specialist postnatal circuits and has the same experience. I've tried to build up slowly and do the lower impact options but that doesn't seem to help either.
I'm wondering if there's problems with my pelvic floor, although I don't have any issues with leaks etc. I use the squeezy app 3 x daily.
I was quite fit pre pregnancy so I'm finding it a bit gutting that I can't get back into fitness in the way that I want to. I'm carrying an extra 2 stone that I can't shift with diet.
What were others experiences with exercise post c section? I'm not sure whether this is a normal slow recovery or whether it's worth seeing a GP...

I'd possibly look for a specific post natal physio if you can afford it. I'm 8 weeks pp following EMCS and have been doing couch to 5k and post natal exercise classes since 6 weeks. The only thing I've found so far that feels a bit 'odd' is star jumps.

(should add that advice is to wait until 12 weeks post c section but I was going crazy just walking round the block 🙈 )

After my emcs I wasn't totally comfortable until about a year pp. The thing that made the difference was the yoga. It really helped get my core back so I could feel better running/ circuits. After my elcs I was doing circuits at 8 weeks pp (specially adapted)

I had my emcs this very day last year
I can say I can now exercise comfortably, although when I am doing abs, I can definitely still feel the tension on my scar
..although this used to be unpleasant when exercising, like you described (but not painful). It has just gradually got more and more comfortable, so I'm hoping it will still improve further, as to where I won't even feel my scar 🤷

@T0rt0ise blimey fair play to you!!! I was so sleep deprived for the first couple of months I could barely remember my name let alone think about proper exercise 😂

@BlodwynBludd that's interesting, I did wonder if it being an emcs would make recovery longer due to more trauma...
I used to enjoy Pilates so maybe I do need to prioritise doing something gentler to target my core

@Moooms aaaw happy birthday to your LO!
That's reassuring to hear that things improved for you

I was desperate to exercise again and my consultant cleared me to exercise from seven weeks but no ab exercises for 12 weeks. I merrily went out for a run and it was AWFUL. Everything was in the wrong place and I could feel my insides moving about. I didn't run again for months. I'd say after a couple of years everything felt pretty normal.