Exercise After Pregnancy – Your Questions Answered

You love your new baby to no end, however what you probably don’t love is the way your body looks after having a baby. I know I’ve been there. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers about exercising after pregnancy.

When can you start exercising after pregnancy?

In general, you can start exercising 4 to 6 weeks after you have your baby. You have to wait that long because your body needs to be able to recover from the pregnancy and the birth of your child. If you’ve had a C-section, it may take a little longer before you can start exercising, depending on how your body is healing.

What exercises are safe to do after pregnancy?

Typically, you want to start with low-impact exercise after pregnancy to allow your body to adjust to exercise. Kind of ease back into it if you will. This does not mean that the exercise you do does not have to be beneficial, it is simply not recommended to run a 5k directly while having a baby.

You also need to make sure to focus on your core muscles when you exercise. These include the stomach, hips, and thighs.

Your stomach muscles have been stretched by the pregnancy and your hips have also been stretched, so those are the muscles that need exercise the most to get back to their pre-pregnancy shape.

Is it important to get permission from your doctors before you start exercising after pregnancy?

Anytime you start a new exercise program, it’s a good idea to get your doctor’s permission. This is especially important if you just had a baby. Only your doctor can tell you if you’ve healed enough to start an exercise routine. Don’t worry, as long as you waited a few weeks after having your baby, you should get the all clear from your doctor and be back to your pre-pregnancy body in no time.