If you have a scar of any sort (episiotomy, caesarean) there is a risk you may cause trauma to your scar and slow down the healing process if you start exercise too early or do too much too soon. You might notice your scar feels sore after exercise, or it looks raw or leaks fluid.
"The structural and hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy don't just disappear as soon as your baby is delivered, and overdoing it after pregnancy can result in urine or feces leakages, pelvis discomfort, joint pain and even injury."
With a cesarean birth, lifting too heavy too soon can cause your incision (either external or internal) to open, rupture, or cause other serious medical issues.
Getting up and walking around once you are home will help you heal faster and can help prevent blood clots. You should be able to do most of your regular activities in 4 to 8 weeks. Before then: Do not lift anything heavier than your baby for the first 6 to 8 weeks.
At four weeks your abdomen should be healed and your bleeding will taper off. At six to eight weeks, you can probably resume most of your regular activities (including sex and exercise) with your caregiver's okay.
Increased bleeding after your lochia starts to decrease can be a sign you're overdoing it and need more rest. Seeing ongoing clots could mean your uterus is having trouble getting back to its pre-pregnancy size. In either case, it's always best to call.
With a little one to care for and so much to do, you might be anxious to resume your normal daily activities. But it's important to listen to your body and not overdo physical activity. Avoid bending, stretching, or lifting — and don't carry anything heavier than your baby for the first four to six weeks.
During the first six weeks after having your baby, you can gradually increase activity at a pace that suits you. You could start with a five-minute walk, and gradually extend this time when you feel able. Ask your midwife or health visitor if you're unsure about what's best to do.
How long before I can exercise after a c-section? Most people are cleared for exercise at 6-8 weeks after delivery by their obstetrician provided there have been no complications. While you may be feeling more like yourself around week four remember to stick to your post-op guidelines. This is to ensure proper healing.
When Can I Start Bending After C -Section? As your body heals and the pain decreases when you move around, you can slowly try bending (between weeks 4 and 6). First, bend slowly up to a few inches and stand back up.
Giving birth via C-section is considered a major surgery, so you will definitely need at least six weeks if not longer to recover. 2 "It's recommended to wait the full six weeks after Cesarean delivery to resume any lifting more than 15-20 pounds," says Dr. Koidahl. "This is to let the incision fully heal."
Things to Avoid:
Public pools and hot tubs. Lifting anything heavier than your baby. Repeatedly using stairs. Exercise, at least until your health care provider gives you the go-ahead.
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline that suggests five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, adding up to 15 days of taking it easy and allowing yourself to recover gently during this time.
Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors.
Your uterus contracts and you'll be good as new soon. But to be sure to allow time for that healing, medical providers recommend a waiting period. Inserting items into your vagina could potentially introduce bacteria, which could travel through your cervix and into your uterus, and cause infection. Yikes!
“Stairs are fine as long as you take them slowly,” she says. “I don't tell people not to go upstairs. I don't want them running stairs as a workout. But most people have one to two flights of stairs, and as long as you take them slow, it's okay.
Avoid putting anything in the vagina (including menstrual products and penetrative sex) until you get your doctor's go-ahead. Don't drive until you get the green light (usually when you're feeling better and off of prescription medications, about two to three weeks after surgery) Avoid stairs if they're uncomfortable.
After a caesarean, you are not advised to sleep on your front. Your incision is across your abdomen, so putting pressure on it will be painful and risk interfering with healing. Usually, doctors recommend avoiding sleeping on your stomach for six weeks post-C-section or until you no longer have any pain.
It often takes six to nine months to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight. But it can take a lot longer, even 10 months to two years, especially if a woman gained 35 pounds or more during her pregnancy.
Q: Can I still belly bind if I have a c-section? A: You can still receive belly binding if you have a c-section. We will wait until 4 – 6 weeks postpartum, based on your healing and recovery. The belly bind still has many benefits within the first three months.
While it's rare for your stitches to come apart, it is important to give yourself literal, physical support after a C-section. The best thing you can do when you feel like laughing—or coughing or sneezing—is to put a pillow over your stitches and press it onto yourself.
Coughing and Sneezing Will Hurt
Eskridge, who underwent two c-sections of her own, experienced the same thing—and offers some useful advice: “Splinting (holding a pillow against the abdomen over the incision) is very helpful in preventing pain with coughs, sneezes and laughing,” she says.
The swelling typically peaks 3 or 4 days after delivery. The hand will be tight in the morning and the ankles will be swollen late in the day; and it can be WORSE than during pregnancy. Overall, you should just get better. Each day should be better than the day before.