Exercising After Pregnancy
Generally most women can begin a formal exercise program within
6 weeks of giving birth, though this time frame might be
slightly longer for some women, including those recovering from
a C-section. Most women recovering from a C-section will be able
to exercise after there incision has healed and their doctor has
cleared them for exercise.
Just how soon you begin an exercise program will depend in part
on how you feel. If you had an easy delivery with no tearing and
few interventions and regularly exercised prior to birth, you
may feel up to some light exercise within 2 weeks of giving
birth.
If this is the case, your doctor will probably allow you to
engage in some light activities, including walking. Strenuous
activity should generally be avoided however until several weeks
after birth.
For some women however, even light exercise in the weeks
following delivery is not possible. If you had an episiotomy or
tore severely while delivering for example, your body may not
physically be ready for a formal exercise program for at least
4-6 weeks after birth (note