How long postpartum before high intensity workouts?

I have pretty much the same question. I have a two-week old and am getting STIR CRAZY not exercising. (I was on the treadmill, briskly walking the day before she was born- hehe!)

I was given a book at the hospital called "birth steps" which goes over basic baby-care and new-mama care, and says after two weeks you can do "bridges" and "curl ups" which, looks to me like a license to exercise those abs!
I figured I would have to wait longer, but I am going to try some ab work this evening.

No answer on the higher intensity cardio though, like running or whatnot.. anyone?

(subscribing)

replying to myself-haha!

So I went to do my "Pilates in Pregnancy" DVDs post pregnancy section and found that it is just doing kegels and pelvic tilts, and tells you to wait till your 6 week check to do anything more. I'm officially confused.

I think my doctor told me to wait until 6 weeks at least and to follow my body at that point. It is something to do with your uterus shrinking back to size. Good luck!!

I think it is very much an individual thing and depends on how you feel. I know that I was back to running on the treadmill at 3 1/2 weeks PP and my MW never said "no" (not that she said go ahead either, but she did know about it). I had been walking on the treadmill since 2 weeks PP with DD in a sling. However, I had a nice and easy recovery even after a big baby and a few stitches.

Granted I was running pretty slow (13 minute/mile pace) and taking a long time to warm up and cool down. However I was sure breaking a sweat even at that pace.

Since then I've been slowly adding speed and distance to my runs and am now doing 11 minute/mile pace for 4 miles. I've also started cycling. The cycling I started at 10 weeks PP, primarily because there was too much snow on the ground before then.

Good luck!

Well, I don't know what the medical opinion is but I went running at just 4 wks PP after a 2nd degree tear. I went again today. I also did major weeding on Sat. and Sun. The weeding seemed much more problematic than the running. It was the squatting, I'm sure. My peri area feels back to wk 2 PP. I think you just need to listen to your body. Good luck.