[Nitwit]

I'm at 11 days PP after a vaginal birth and I was wondering when would be a good time to start exercising. I was 144lbs pre-pregnancy and 175lbs at delivery, now I'm at 160lbs at 11 days PP... anyone know when I should start???

[Alejandros Mommy]

You can start now by goign for walks...I would not suggest doing anykind of abdominal excersises yet though.

[Nitwit]

Depending on the weather I might take Cooper on a small walk tomorrow!!!! Thanks

[slygirrl]

For any true exercises I would wait until your 4 week (or 6 whichever you have) check up cause 11 days is too early to start. It killed me to have to wait that long but I lost all my pregnancy weight by the time I went back to the doc (I don't know how it seems to fall of, but your probably will too). I would take it easy at least for a few more days. If you start pushing your body too quicky it will cause heavier bleeding or it will restart the pp bleeding (if you have stopped). I got up and going way too quickly and acting like I as back to "normal" (it had been a couple of weeks) and I bled bad until I chilled out.

[QueenAngie]

Have to agree with the above friends, wait until you see your doctor for any abd exercises. Walking is fine.

You overdue it, you'll have increased bleeding. It means, sit down and put your feet up. You are doing too much.

[Nitwit]

that seems reasonable i just put on my first pair of non maternity pants in 9 months and they fit.... i feel great lol

[BeFitMom]

You can, and should, do Kegel exercises everyday. Abdominal compressions, which work the deepest abdominal muscle, the Transverse Abdominis are great, and can be done right away too. In fact, it is important to get this muscle strong again before you try to do exercises like crunches. Gentle stretches for the lower back, and front of the chest, as well as pelvic tilts can also help restore good posture.
BeFit-Mom

[Alejandros Mommy]

Abdominals? Um...I worked as a baby nurse and in post partum care and I highly do not recommend that right after birth. You can literally rip your muscles....believe me I've seen it. I'd wait till your doc says it's ok.

[twinzplus3]

These are not normal abdominal exercises that she's talking about. It's more like sucking your stomach in. . .kind of like you do in pilates. The movement helps the abdominal muscles pull together instead of separate. I've done them for each pg after #2. They are very helpful--I credit them for preventing the severity of diastasis w/ the twins and keeping my lower back from being in utter distress during pg. They can be done all throughout pg and as soon as you're feeling up to it afterwards. HOWEVER, a nurse/phycial therapist type person showed me how to do them properly at my doctor's office--spent a total of about 4 hours with me to teach me how to do it. I have to agree w/ pp's--no serious exercise w/o doctor supervision. Walking and kegels are fine. (I'll see if I can find a link somewhere.)