One of the greatest accomplishments of a woman’s life is becoming a mother. Being able to hold and snuggle your newborn is a dream come true.
However, giving birth can take a toll on your body, so finding a way to relax is important. But finding ways to unwind does not mean becoming a couch potato. There are a lot of ways to relax, even with exercise. However, after giving birth, some exercises may be off limits.
Here are a few types of exercises that are safe to do after having a baby.
What Exercises Am I Eligible to Do?
The exercises that new moms can do depends on the type of birth they had. The two types of birth that a mom can have are vaginal and C-sections, also known as a cesarean section.
To give you a quick understanding, a cesarean section is the alternative way of giving birth. It is a surgical operation that involves a mother’s stomach being surgically opened and the baby being removed from utero. This surgery is done when a mother is unable to have a vaginal birth because of a high-risk of complications. A vaginal birth is pretty self-explanatory.
If you had a cesarean section, you must wait at least six weeks for your body to heal. A C-section is classified as a major operation, so doing exercises after birth isn’t recommended. But, it is possible for you to do light pelvic exercises after the first day of giving birth.
If you had a vaginal birth, then you don’t have to wait as long as you would after a C-section. However, you must take the same level of precaution. Your body has been through a lot of stress, and doing too much too soon can cause problems.
Similar to a C-section, you can do very light pelvic exercises and even take a short walk. But if you start to feel any pain or discomfort, you need to stop. You can also perform Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor.
Types of Exercises You Can Perform
Aside from walks and pelvic exercises, there are other forms of exercise you can do. Before we get into them, know that these exercises should only be done at least two weeks after a vaginal birth and up to eight weeks after a C-section.
The types of low-risk exercises you can do include:
– Yoga
– Pilates
– Mild cycling
– Light aerobic exercises
– Swimming
– Light weight training
When it comes to swimming or water aerobics, you should not do this until the bleeding has stopped for at least a full week. Once this happens, consult your doctor first to be safe.
Giving birth is a wondrous thing. However, it also changes a woman’s body, especially if you had a C-section. Never perform exercises until you have medical clearance. Your body needs time to heal first. If you experience any pain, sudden bleeding or any other complication, call your doctor immediately.
