How long till you were back riding post c-section?

[octanegirl]

I'm booked to have a c section on Tues unless baby decides to come before. Am very overdue!

Wondering how long till I can get back on a horse... And jump etc...

Stories please!

Oooh, how exciting! I bet you can't wait! I had a week to go for my c-section when DD obliged and came early!

I rode 7 weeks post a no complications ELCS. The first time I got on a very reliable horse and pottered about in walk with a bit of trot, then waited 48 hours to see if I had done any damage and took it from there. I did find I was very unfit, I had lost a lot of core strength (but I think that was more from my abdominals spliting in the middle due to the pregnancy and nothing to do with the c-section), and I did feel a bit unstable. It took me 6 months to get to the point where I could do work without stirrups, have a 45 minute lesson, etc. and 20 months later I still don't think I am back to where I was (but I used to ride two a day, 5-6 days a week and now I ride one a day 3 days a week).

I am excited - but now a bit worried as I produce horses for a living and have quite a few TBs to get on with ASAP - all can be sharp so me taking months and months to get back to normal will be very expensive..eeeekkkk

Sorry I didn't mean to stress you. Everyone is different and you may find it a lot easier than me! Just listen to your body and take it slow at first and I am sure it will be fine.

Personally I found the first few weeks all I wanted to do was be with the baby so the horses naturally took a back seat and it wasn't stressful. If it's your job though I can see that you would feel more pressure to get on with things.

Octane - sometimes c section better than being torn/stitched/infected! I was lucky to get back on after three weeks with third degree episiotomy. I only walked. My friend was nearly 6 months with a similar delivery.

Just listen to your body and the worst thing you can do is rush. Sometimes that extra week is better than doing something too fast.

Good luck!!

Oh yes that is a good point. My friend who also makes her living from horses had to have 5.5 months off after a tear and she's a really tough and committed horserider - if she couldn't do it, then no one could have ridden in her condition!

I was back on after 6 weeks. To be honest I hven't rode as much as I thought I would (baby 17 weeks) due to weather and dark nights, but it has been great to be back in the saddle. I did my first long hack last Saturday and felt a little saddle sore when I got on on Sunday for the first time in my life!
Hope all goes well. Roll on spring for long hacks and shows starting again!

Everyone is different, I think I took about 3 months to be comfortable but my instructor rode BE90 on a very reliable horse after 7 weeks. Very sore after but was determined to do it!

6 weeks after 2 sections. Sitting trot sore and banged my scar on the knee rolls dismounting which made my eyes water.

Back on after 6 week check after C section ! didn't cause many problems as it is lower abdomen that is cut, 3rd degree tear was much worse !

Ok..6 weeks is what I was thinking. My GP neighbour was on after four which is quite hard core!

I produce ponies for a living so had to get back on asap. First time waited six weeks and was fine back to riding quite a few ponies a day. Second time rode at a show five weeks later after just a quick practice the day before. Was in the saddle for a good few hours and ached a fair amount for a few hours after but then was fine after that. First time I was riding until two weeks before birth, second time I stopped riding at six months as baby was breach and it was uncomfortable, so a lot less fit getting back into the saddle second time round. Good luck!