Sex and exercise after baby

[DeChRi]

So we all know 6 weeks is the mark, but I know that I didn't wait that last time.

Assuming that delivery was vaginal, what are they waiting on at that 6 week mark? What happens if we DTD at 5 weeks? What is I go for a jog at 4 weeks?

Just curious. (Yes, I am thinking about DTD already....holy hormones batman)

[yogachick79]

Dang woman! My MW rule of thumb is once you stop bleeding and having discharge you are okay PROVIDED that you didn't tear and feel completely healed.

She gave me a list of small exercises to do laying down (including kegels) just to help with pp issues, but that is all. She is strict on the no excercise before 6 weeks rule.

[strawberryfields08]

My MW says the same. After bleeding is over and you are feeling up to it. After DD we only waited 4 weeks to have sex. (I would have prefered to wait longer, but poor DH was so pitiful)
Not sure about the exercise though. I do know they worry about your stomach muscles coming back together first.

[moonchiald]

I have stitches that will take 6-8 weeks to dissolve. I don't think we will be doing anything no matter how badly I want to. The thought of popping those suckers freaks me out!

[AlpineMama]

Our MW said 2 weeks was enough - with DH in the room and me still lying in bed from the delivery. : We DTD in about 2 weeks and it was a little painful (OK, a lot) and I bled afterwards, so we didn't try again for another week or week and a half; then it was fine.

Exercise though was a lot different for me. It was very hard for me to use any stomach muscles at all for a long time, and even things like walking made me bleed heavily and painfully for a while. I was just getting back into the swing of things when I found out I was pregnant again. Bellydance videos were great to use though to stretch the tummy muscles out and get them used to working again.

[yogachick79]

yup, one of the things that she gave me to do laying down was to help the stomach muscles come back together. Just low chin lifts while laying really...

[mittendrin]

I wouldn't know about exercising, I don't do such thing:
Dtd'd already at 2 wks pp and I recommend lots of lube. For me once I stop bleeding and am comfy with it, there's no reason not to get close to dh. Just keep it clean, kwim?

[scheelimama]

Ummm....Piper's less than a week old and we already dtd. And it was good. Not painful, but we used lots of lube. I also used an Instead cup to cover my cervix to reduce mess and to keep bacteria out. Sorry, but I'm not waiting when my dh is leaving in a short amount of time. But if you had stitches, there's no way you'll even want to try for a good 6 weeks or more.

[Kontessa]

So I do not have to wait the full 6 week?!? Yay! Hubby comes home next month and he is such a hotty!

[Curlita]

Sex? Exercise? What kind of vitamins are you ladies taking and where can I get some?

I think waiting to DTD has to do with waiting for the cervix to close back up. Not sure about exercise. Between stitches and anemia, I'm not doing much of either sex or exercise for a few more weeks, at least. At least no penis-in-vagina sex, I won't rule out other types of frisky business.

[DeChRi]

A week scheelimama! Man you are a rock star.

I ended up with 3 stitches, 2 in one spot and a single stitch in another. The Dr said I didn't actually tear, but the tissue was stretched and mangled enough in those spots that she wanted them to end up normal, so we decided to pop in a couple stitches. Ironically, same stitch line from DD1.

[Undercover Hippie]

I know a lot of MWs say you can DTD as soon as you feel comfortable... the one I used to work with admitted she and her DH only waited about a week. Though I personally can't imagine such a thing, stitches or not!!!!

Not sure why the general 6-week guideline, I think that's how long it normally takes for the uterus to shrink back down to normal size. I know you have to be careful not to overdo so the "scab" from where your placenta was attached can heal. You don't want to open it back up and start bleeding again... I think that's especially important when it comes to resuming exercise or even housework... maybe give it a try whenever you feel up to it, but build up slowly and if you start bleeding again then stop!

[renaissanceed]

I've gotten no advice from mw but I started exercising yesterday - just walking briskly & some weights. Did the same with DD. I'm two wks pp today. As long as I'm not bleeding anymore I know I'm not overdoing it (yes, bleeding has stopped).

As for DTD I think we waited til 4 wks last time & probably will again - I know it was certainly before 5 wks cause that's when the mw had the birth control chat with me & I didn't have the heart to tell her she was too late.

[Mahre]

My midwife said to wait until I stopped bleeding to dtd. My dh and I decided to try it even though I was still bleeding a little at two weeks postpartum. I decided to take a risk. We went really slow and I had no pain. I didn't bleed. I had a 2nd degree tear into the muscle, but I choose to heal it naturally with seaweed and aloe. The tear healed completely in 7 days. I have no pain from the tear. Wow!!!

[GinaRae]

I keep trying to read "sex and exercise" but all I am thinking about is a warm blankie and chocolate.

[scheelimama]

Originally Posted by GinaRae

I keep trying to read "sex and exercise" but all I am thinking about is a warm blankie and chocolate.

I should add that I have had very minimal bleeding since day 2. It was the same with dd2 and we also dtd after a week or less (can't remember exactly) after her as well. Guess I'm just lucky in the postpartum arena. Had an icky pregnancy, but I recover very quickly from birth. Please don't hate me. : And dtd, extra housework, and all the walks we've taken as a family since, haven't seemed to cause any more bleeding. The mw was also surprised at how low my uterus was at my checkup yesterday (5 days pp.)

[Momma Aimee]

eee-gads ...... DH wants to come see YOU for the holidaies ...

I was told AFTER the bleeding and all discharge stopped and AFTER the stictches were totally disloved ...... so 6 to 8 weeks depending.

DH wants it by Christmas

He had to wait 16 weeks last time, after 4th degree tear, and then we did it once, then not agian for 4 or 5 more weeks

Aimee

[Googy]

As long as you didn't tear, there is really no harm from sex whenever you stop bleeding and feel ready.

HOWEVER, the exercise thing is different. It takes 6 weeks for your uterus to shrink back down to normal size, and exercise before this point could cause a rupture. Its best to wait on that one.

[Curlita]

Originally Posted by Googy

HOWEVER, the exercise thing is different. It takes 6 weeks for your uterus to shrink back down to normal size, and exercise before this point could cause a rupture. Its best to wait on that one.

Well, that's a pretty good reason to keep my ass on the sofa until Christmas. :

[lisarussell]

Originally Posted by Jojo

So we all know 6 weeks is the mark, but I know that I didn't wait that last time.

Assuming that delivery was vaginal, what are they waiting on at that 6 week mark? What happens if we DTD at 5 weeks? What is I go for a jog at 4 weeks?

Just curious. (Yes, I am thinking about DTD already....holy hormones batman)

I think the REASON for the 6 week mark is so that they can be sure that they've discussed birth control with you.

With my DD#2 I waited 2 weeks and 2 days. And she was born on the 22nd. Of November, I wonder if that means for sure that I will have 2 kids with that birthday, hmmmm??? As long as it doesn't mean I 'll be surprised with twins!