How Soon Postpartum Can I Work Out?

Exercise after delivering a child can help you recover from childbirth while also providing an improvement in your cardiovascular fitness, boost your energy and mood, relieve stress and promote the weight loss you may desire. Depending on your birthing experience, you may be able to get back into a workout routine as early as you feel ready. Speak with your doctor before beginning any new exercise postpartum.

Exercise After Delivery

If you had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you may be able to begin exercising within days of leaving the hospital. Other women that had more complicated or traumatic delivery experiences may need to wait four to six weeks before getting back to exercise, according to BabyCenter. Your medical history, pregnancy, delivery, labor, fitness and physical condition postpartum will affect when your body is ready for exercise. As always, consult your physician. She will know whether you are ready to work out.

Cesarean

Women that have undergone cesarean sections are more likely to need six to eight weeks of recovery before beginning exercise. Cesareans are major abdominal surgeries and require a lengthy period to heal completely. The Ohio State University Medical Center reports within 12 to 18 hours postpartum, you will need to begin walking. Walking is good for circulation and preventing blood clots, improving digestion and decreasing muscle aches. Support your incision when you walk and carry out light exercises. As you get home and get stronger, gradually increase normal physical activity. Do not begin a workout routine after a cesarean without first consulting your doctor.

Healthy Beginnings

After the first days of recovery, if you have your doctor's approval and were physically active during pregnancy, you may begin to do light exercises such as walking and stretching. After your first postpartum week, BabyCenter recommends a light or moderate walk for 30 minutes, three times per week. After your six-week checkup, your doctor may allow you to engage in longer, more intense and more frequent workouts. Take those first days and weeks easy, because your body needs healing time. Never exercise to exhaustion and quit if you begin to feel tired or breathless.

Breastfeeding

MayoClinic.com states that exercising postpartum will not affect breast milk, though vigorous-intensity exercise may cause your breast milk to contain lactic acid, which could cause your baby to dislike the taste of the milk. Moderate activity and plenty of water will prevent this, but if you feel like vigorous activity is important to you, pumping and discarding the milk both before and after exercise can help you avoid any adverse effects. Pumping or feeding before exercise also keeps you comfortable. Wear a supportive sports bra while exercising for maximum comfort.