how soon after a c-section can you start to exercise?

[mariamommy]

Originally Posted by Harmony96 My outermost incision was glue, which was awesome. I didn't walk "for exercise" but the distance from the hospital parking garage to the NICU was more than a few steps, including a small flight of stairs, and I did that at least daily starting the day after I got discharged, so 5 days postpartum? Everything was looking fine at my two-week visit, and when I went back at six weeks, I had no trouble hopping up onto the table or anything, and he cleared me for all activities, including exercise, at that time.

I had an opposite experience with the glue on the skin side. It fell off too early and my incision opened up and got infected, it was awful! I was wishing for stitches after that experience.

[jaelynsmommy61607]

I don't think walking is too much at this point. I'd start slow and make sure you don't over do it.

[Harmony96]

Originally Posted by jaelynsmommy61607 I don't think walking is too much at this point. I'd start slow and make sure you don't over do it.

Right, I forgot to add that into my post. (Blasted preggo brain.) Granted, I WAS walking quite some distance those first few days, but I was walking REALLY slowly. Turtles and snails would leave me in their dust. I wasn't even trying to push myself at ALL but was definitely taking it easy, and knew that the slow but consistent motion would be helpful over time, and it was, and I was gradually able to increase my speed.

[raisingcropsandbabies]

Isn't it interesting how we all heal at different rates? It's so individual!

[PerfectFifth]

I hear you, OP, I'm about 5 weeks PP (2nd c-section) and ready to lose this baby weight! Heck, I'd love to just walk around the block, but with temps over 100, that is not going to happen. Have you noticed any difference in recovery times with subsequent c-sections?

[mariamommy]

Originally Posted by PerfectFifth I hear you, OP, I'm about 5 weeks PP (2nd c-section) and ready to lose this baby weight! Heck, I'd love to just walk around the block, but with temps over 100, that is not going to happen. Have you noticed any difference in recovery times with subsequent c-sections?

No, each of my births have been different. The worst one to recover from is after laboring for 5 days and pushing for hours then have to end up with a c-section. The c-sections with no labor are easier. However, this last one I had, my incision opened up and I needed antibiotics to clear an infection....so this recovery has been much longer than I expected.