Advice please - is it true you have to wait nine months after birth to exercise again?

[LoveActually]

I thought there may be some experts around (you know who you are!). DD was born 13 weeks ago after emergency CS. I was quite a keen runner/exerciser before I got pg, so after I got the all clear at 6 weeks started jogging and cycling - using resistance bands instead of weights. (No abdominals - am doing pilates and core stuff to 'mend' my transvese and rectus muscles)
All was going well until someone (the woman who is teaching my pilates class) told me I should not even be running because relaxin stays in the body for six/nine months after birth. Have I ruined my joints or is it really an invidiual thing? xx

relaxin stays until you stop breastfeeding anyway I think? you can still exercise wtih relaxin - my hospital ran exercise classes for people - 6 weeks post natal - CS or V delivery.

Although it is in your system for awhile, relaxin levels decrease fairly rapidly after giving birth. For the majority it won't be an issue after the first several weeks, this is why most women are told at their 6 week check-up that they can resume exercising as they had before. Obviously taking it slow to start, and listening to your body, running is a great exercise, especially since you were already conditioned from before.

I am a runner, swimmer and cyclist. I only breastfed for week on medical advice. I had an emergency c section, but GP gave me the all clear to exercise after 6 weeks. I asked about relaxin, and he said that yes, it stays in your body for about 6 months after birth, or 3 months after you stop breastfeeding. He said that he was happy with someone who was used to exercise (I sawm a mile the day before DS was born) taking it up again soon after birth if they wanted to, as I was more likely to take it slow, listen to my body etc, than someone who had never done any exercise embarking on a strenuous routine after birth for the first time ever.

I swam a few times a week for the first month after my 6 week check, then started running again slowly. DS is now 7 months old and I am training for the Leeds 10K in June.

I also did a few weeks of pilates, but gave it up because of child car problems (DH works away quite often in the week) . If your pilates instructor is unhappy with you doing pilates, why don't you see if you can find a pregancy or "Mummy and baby" class. If did pg pilates whilst pg (although there were some post-natal ladies there, just getting back into things) and "mummy and baby" pilates now.

Hi there. I've been doing pilates bikerunski - is what ever post pg lady should do. Am reasurred by your posts, as I have been feeling really good exercising again, I am going to take it gentle - but not so worried that i've damaged myself. x

Should be fine as long as you take things slowly and build up your fitness again gradually. Also I think things like running, cycling etc are relatively low risk but would be more careful with things that involve lots of jumping, twisting etc where you are more likely to end up with an injury. I know someone who dived back into hockey, tennis etc a bit too fast after one baby and ended up with a groin strain (ouch!).

I am a keen runner and ran throughout my pregnancy (til 36 weeks). I had a CSection and started running 5 weeks after and have had no problems. I breastfed for 1 month.