Return to Running after C-Section

[lucky3]

I had a baby via c section a little over a week ago.  I go to the Dr on Wednesday and will hopefully be cleared for short walks.  I know I can't do any real exercise until 6 weeks, but how should I start?  Previously I ran and did light weights, but my primary love is running. I was thinking about starting the C25K after getting cleared to exercise.  Thoughts?

[Brit]

Not having had a c-section...so my advice may be totally bunk...

When you get cleared just see how you feel. Remember that being up at all hours with a newborn can sap your energy like you wouldn't believe - you may need to go easy on yourself because of that.

Congrats on your new baby!

[arch01]

my doctor said i could return to running whenever i wanted, but i will also say she is totally lax on some things.

i started taking walks (1-4 miles) at 1w PP. started running at 3w PP, and it was slow and steady. i didn't go out with any expectations, just to run. i ran up until the day i went into labor and was able to get back to my pre-PG pace pretty quickly.

start slow, listen to your body, and don't start out with any expectations.

what were you doing while PG? if you didn't run while PG, i'd start with C25k.

[hannahb]

I started running at 6 weeks after I was cleared by my MD. I took it easy and started on the treadmill. C25K sounds reasonable. I ran up to my c section and was able to bounce back fairly quickly. I started working on my core and hip strength at 4 weeks post op so I would at least have some stability when I started back up. I'm am almost 6 months out and am running a half tomorrow (eeek to the race and a seriously fast 6 mo). I feel pretty good but my incision does still ache sometimes on longer runs

[taratru]

I had a tough time getting back after my c-section, but I wasn't really doing anything beforehand.

What surprised me was that I could feel my incision even months after during some workouts. I'd say just take your time...don't push too hard!

[thom]

I don't have kids so I'm not much help, but Congrats on the new baby!! That's wonderful. Hope you and baby are both doing well and hope you heal up quickly.

[cinco]

Just wanted to add my congrats!

[skwcm80]

No advice since I didn't start working out regularly until I after I had my youngest, but congratulations!!

[agswife]

Congratulations! I did not have a c-section, so I'm not sure if my advice applies. I started walking immediately with my daughter - just walks around the block, working up to a few miles. About 3 weeks postpartum, I started light jogging. I attempted to do C25k, but I just felt more comfortable jogging than running/stopping to walk/etc. After my 6 week postpartum appt, I started going faster and incorporating weights again. Just listen to your body and don't overdue it. You'll have plenty of time to get back into running later, but you won't get these first few weeks back. Enjoy that snuggly baby!

[Deleted]

Congratulations on the baby I have no advice, except listen to your body and practice patience!

[runblondie26]

Congrats on your baby!

Sounds like you have a good plan. My approach was the same as after my 1st c-section.

By the end of the 1st week, I started taking long walks around the neighborhood. When I was cleared for real exercise at 6 weeks, I began doing non-impact cardio (elliptical, bike, stairmill) to ease back into it. Then around 8 weeks, I started doing walk/run combos and built up my mileage from there.

I kind of threw caution to the wind this time around and started non-impact cardio around 3 weeks, and running about week after that. I stayed more active throughout this last pregnancy, plus my recovery was easier since it was a scheduled c-section and I didn't have to labor for almost 24 hours beforehand.

Enjoy that sweet little baby. You'll be back, and better than ever, very soon

[nikolita]

Ditto everything runblondie said. It definitely made a difference recovery-wise not having to labor.

[katinthehat]

After my second, I started walking after the 1 week check up and was told everything was healing okay, etc. I was back up to walking 45 minute to an hour by my six week checkup when I was officially cleared to start running again. I then started C25K and moved at my own pace. There were some weeks I needed to repeat but it was a good way to ease back into things. And being able to walk 3+ miles before I started running again really helped.

[emuni04]

I had a C-section. I started walking 1ish weeks after delivery. I didn't walk very consistently, though, because I had a colicky child. Sort of ruined my plans of leisurely stroller walks! I started running 6 weeks PP. I also started with a C210K program, and had no issues. I thought it was a nice way to ease back into it. Like everyone says, just listen to your body. Everyone's recovery is different.

[breezy8407]

Didn't have a c-section, but just wanted to add to the others' advice about taking it easy more so because of having a newborn. The lack of sleep affected me more than anything. When the kids started sleeping through the night, I finally felt a little more like my old running self.

[gummybear]

I've had two c/s. The first one unplanned, the second one scheduled.
The second was much easier, partially because I did not labor and IMO, because I moved around a lot more, literally from the second my catheter was out. I walked with the stroller as soon as I got home. I echo others, listen to your body, however, there is going to be some pain and that our normal and to a certain extent, you have to move through it because it helps healing. My biggest indicator was how much I bled. After I was particularly active I would bleed much more. I began a modified c25k as soon as the Dr. cleared me to run. I have to say I was surprised b how quickly I bounced back.

[lucky3]

Thank you for the congratulations and sharing your experiences. I'm excited to get back into things!