back

How soon can I start exercising after having a Cesarean section?

Answered by Wendy Paris on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 2:57 PM filed under general postings
You can get back on track about four weeks after your C-section—as long as you keep it moderate, says Iffath Hoskins, M.D., a high-risk obstetrician and the chairman of the department of OB/GYN at New York University Downtown Hospital. While the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not have a specific statement on exercise after cesarean sections, the official word is that most changes resulting from pregnancy last four to six weeks after birth, and "prepregnancy exercise routines should be resumed gradually based on a woman's physical capacity." According to Dr. Hoskins, "You might do leg lifts or modified sit-ups (by putting several pillows behind your back and doing sit-ups from that raised position, removing a pillow every two weeks), walk or jog slowly on the treadmill, or even lift weights." As long as you can carry on a simple conversation while exercising without gasping for air, and you don't feel pain during or after the exercise, you should be fine. If you feel any discomfort, stop the activity and consult your doctor.

We have updated our Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018. We have done this in preparation for the EU's new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Please take the time to review our updated documentation by clicking on the Privacy Policy link at the bottom of this page. By continuing to use this service on or after May 25, 2018, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy.