All you active mamas...PP ?

[AnneCordelia]

I'm a very active mama. I walk anywhere from 4-8 miles a day, pushing my toddler in a stroller. I don't drive, so I walk my older kiddos to school (4 miles/day) and walk to/from the grocery store and to other shops and errands that need running. I'm a few days past 40 weeks pregnant at this point...I walked 5 miles yesterday and the day before and feel great.

I am curious how long after birth you would wait until you started walking again? I want to get back into the swing of things soon after birth but want to be safe and smart about it too. I also enjoy being self-sufficient and look forward to the walking.

What was it like for you postpartum if you are active?

[MegBoz]

I walked a bit immediately, like day 3 PP, although maybe only 1 mile or so at the most - not much. I remember by 3 weeks I was going on walks that were 2-3 miles or more after I got my first wrap. LOVED my Bali Breeze gauze wrap in the Baltimore July heat!

I remember learning in Bradley class to back off if activity increases your bleeding or it makes you feel exhausted & overall bad. It never did in the least.

I started lifting weights at 4 weeks, although would have been sooner except for the nipple pain from cracked nipples. The pain was so extreme, I didn't want to move or do anything where I might even brush my arm against them. I started teaching step aerobics again at 7 Weeks, but I only waited that long because I just felt comfortable seeing my MW & having the "official" release to exercise - to make sure my tear was sufficiently healed. (only 1st degree.)

I think overall, "Listen to your body, back off if bleeding increases" is good advice - EXCEPT for when it comes to tears! I didn't know that laying down & being still a lot was the best practice for healing. I'm still angry with the grossly inadequate PP support I got from the one MW (my least fav in the practice. well, at least she was only on call for my PP time instead of my birth.)

So if you do tear, I don't know how that changes things in terms of how long it's best to remain inactive in order to optimize healing.

[lifeguard]

I agree with MegBoz. I tore horribly & that kept me grounded for quite some time - about 4 weeks. I could go for short walks (like around the grocery store) before the torn area was throbbing.

Without a tear I think you can be back to walking pretty quickly.

Yeah & LOVED my sling!

[lunarlady]

With DD1 I started short walks (<1mile) day 3 pp, and longer walks around a week pp. I had a rougher birth this time, and struggled with dizziness until a week pp, so didn't really feel up to much until two weeks pp. I'm 3.5 weeks pp and wishing the daycare at my gym took infants younger than 6 weeks because I'm going stir crazy!

[ShadowMoon]

I was back to exercising after the first week. I didn't tear and had a very easy labor so that might have helped a bit. Just start off slow and listen to your body. You'll know how much you can handle. Good luck with your birth and baby!!!