How Long Should I Wait to Work Out After Delivering a Baby?
Other People Are Reading
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General Rule of Thumb
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According to Kelly Camden, a certified Douala, in the article Postpartum Exercise, women who have had vaginal births can generally begin exercising three weeks after delivery, while women who underwent Cesarean-sections may not be ready to begin exercising until six weeks postpartum. This advice has been a widely accepted recommendation in the medical community for many years and some health care providers continue to suggest these guidelines to new mothers.
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Changing Times
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According to the Mayo Clinic, the suggestion from health care providers that women wait up to six weeks after delivery to begin an exercise may be a thing of the past. They say women who had uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and who exercised during pregnancy may resume exercising when they feel ready, which may be just days after delivery. The Mayo Clinic suggests that women who had Cesarean-sections or complicated deliveries consult their health care providers for suggestions about exercising postpartum.
Bottom Line
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Because all aspects of the mother's health should be taken into consideration when suggesting an exercise routine, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises women to consult their health care providers for recommendations. Depending on factors such as the woman's current level of fitness and type of delivery, some may recommend that the woman wait six weeks, others may say three weeks for vaginal birth and some may give her the clear to begin exercising only days after delivery. Most healthcare providers agree that all postpartum exercise should begin slowly and that women should only work out at a level they feel comfortable with.
References
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