How long did it take?

After you gave birth, how long was it before you felt "normal" again, as in you could do normal activities, do light exercise, not feel any pain, etc.
I know what the standard recovery time is, but I was just wondering for both natural and c-section births how long it took for you to feel like yourself again.

Re: How long did it take?

I had a c-section. It was about a week after the surgery that I went off all medication, and was able to walk up and down the stairs with no problem and stroll outside, but I still had residual pain and/or discomfort. It wasn't until about 3 weeks post-partum that I started to feel myself again...

Edited to say- I felt so good that at about 10 weeks I started doing Pilates. Well, I popped a stitch, which was NOT fun. So, listen to your doctor. Light exercise is ok, but abdominal exercises usually have to wait when you've had a c-section

Message edited 5/4/2006 11:34:37 AM.

Re: How long did it take?

I was told not to exercise until my 6 week check up. (I don't usually excerise anyway...). I'm not sure if it was because I lost a lot of blood during delivery & had slight anemia afterwards.

Re: How long did it take?

Honestly, about 2 weeks and felt completely fine. My doctor told me to wait about 2 weeks for light exercise.

Re: How long did it take?

My doctor is telling me that 6 weeks is the minimum, which I know is the standard, but I can't go 6 weeks without exercising! I've heard of women that go back to their marathon training or fitness competition training like a couple of days after having a natural birth.
My doctor said that I can do things in moderation, and slowly build up over the 6 weeks' time, but not to lift anything heavy. I'm seriously not a "walker" type of exerciser; I need to lift weights. After the baby is born, I'll do what the doctor says, but I guarantee I won't like it!

Re: How long did it take?

Re: How long did it take?

My dr also said no exercise for 6 weeks as well. I don't exercise much anyway so I didn't question it at all.

Anyway, honestly even with the episiotomy - I felt normal enough pretty much right away. I had to watch the way I sat and picked up things sometimes for the stitches but felt ok and "normal". I mean the day I came home I was going to stores and stuff - like my normal life (my baby was still in hospital so I wasn't homebound for a few days after birth.) I was up and walking and going for walks as long as weather permitted (had a winter baby).

At my 6 week OB visit, I got the "ok" to go back to normal life and that week I did some crunches and started lightly bleeding. I figure my insides weren't ready for that yet.

I do have friends who did light weights and walking on treadmills as early as 2-3 weeks.

Re: How long did it take?

I had a vaginal birth (w/an episiotomy) and felt fine after 2 weeks. However, I was told by my OB no excercise until 6 weeks PP.

Message edited 5/4/2006 1:04:31 PM.

Re: How long did it take?

Re: How long did it take?

I felt fine in 2 weeks. - To be honest though - you might find that your time is pretty limited and you might be a little sleep deprived until the baby is about 6 weeks old any - so exercise might not be on the top of your list.

Re: How long did it take?

Message edited 5/4/2006 4:19:27 PM.

Re: How long did it take?

Im a really active person and had a relative easy birth, vaginally with only a small tear- 1 stich, I would say that about a week I felt ok not weak. I went for a walk with the stroller about 2 days after giving birth and it hurt when I walked- my pelvic region so I decided to go slow for a week and I was fine. I dont exersise though but Im really active.

Re: How long did it take?

Re: How long did it take?

i had a csection with my two deliverys and i felt great after exactly one week later.

Re: How long did it take?

I had a c-section and truly felt like my old self at about 6 weeks. I started to exercise before that though and was fine.