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After C-Section
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I had an unplanned C-section on Sept. 19th and now have a beautiful little boy to show for it. I plan to follow doctors orders and am not looking for contrary advice to what I've been given. I'm just curious how others who have had a c-section did when resuming workouts? Which sport was it easiest to start back with (for some reason I'm guessing cycling)? Is there still pain in the incision area weeks/months after the procedure if you push it too hard? Any tales of your experiences would be appreciated. I've never had surgery before so I'm not sure what to expect when I resume training.
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Not so great news about the C-section, but glad to see you're well enough to be posting already. I have no advice for you regarding the c-section since I had 2 natural births. Hopefully someone else will have advice for you. However, I do have advic for you as a new mother based on what I did wrong:
  • Accept help from everyone who offers - don't try to be a super-mom and do everything by yourself. The people asking truly want to help and will be honored if you accept. Every little bit of help you get is that much less you have to do. Even if it's just 15 minutes for you to sit down and relax. Accept the help even if you don't want your mother-in-law over doing laundry or your Dad mowing your lawn. Whatever help is offered, accept it.
  • Take care of yourself. You cannot be a good mother if you don't take care of yourself as well. Make sure you set up your schedule so that you have some time to do what you need every day whether it's a long, hot bath or a walk in the woods. Whatever you need, make sure you get your husband and others to help you get the time you need to take care of yourself.
  • If you're nursing, ask your husband to get you a big drink of water or juice every time you sit down to nurse. You don't want to get dehydrated.

Congrats again. Enjoy this time since it's gone in a flash.
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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Congratulations! I didn't have a C section so I have no advice on that, but Dawn gave some good advice on the postpartum period. Good Luck ...your fitness will come back!
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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Congratulations!

I have no advice on the birth part, but did have surgery which was similar to the C-section.

I found that it took a good 8 weeks to get my "mojo" back and that didn't include caring for a newborn.

I was able to get into the pool pretty soon after, but couldn't swim hard. I did a lot of walking, though was a little leery of tripping. At about 4 weeks I was able to sort of "jog", but could feel a little pulling over the incision area. Lots of speed walking was actually a better cardio workout.

Funny enough, the bike was the last thing to return to. Being bent over was not at all comfortable! There was no way I could have ridden in the aero position for a couple of months.

After about a week, I went down to the dojo and did some very easy hitting on the bag, not even getting the body into it. Just back and forth with the arms. That was a pretty good cardio workout at the beginning. No kicking or real punching for 8 weeks. No ab work for about 6 weeks.

Hope that helps.
clm

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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Pictures or it didn't happen ;-)
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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I too had an unplanned c-section four years ago with my first daughter (36 hours of labor, good times). In any case, I started running immediately after my 8 weeks of 'nothing' and started doing pilates. I, for obvious reasons, was much slower than pre-baby but it felt great to just shuffle. I picked running because it was (and will always be) my first love.

As far as the incision pain, yes I felt it...for months (MONTHS) afterwards, especially when doing pilates. Just take it easy and listen to your body, which is sounds like that is your exact plan.

CONGRATS on your new little baby!!

____________________________
Life is Short...Run Long
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Re: After C-Section [QRgirl] [ In reply to ]
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I'm not so skilled with technology so not sure how to post pictures on here but we have pictures up on our blog (www.angelakidd.blogspot.com) and he has a picasa site: http://picasaweb.google.com/zach.m.kidd.

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. We are taking advantage of any and all help being offered. It sounds like it's going to be slow to recover. I tend to do stupid things but I am going to do my best not to do too much too soon.
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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If you don't mind, I'll link one from your blog to this thread. I love pics of sleeping babies!! So cute!


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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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I had a c-section 9 years ago and starting spinning 6 weeks afterwards - however, at the time I was coming off being an inactive, obese person, not a triathlete. I also started learning to run at 6 weeks and did my first triathlon when my son was 9 months.

The only thing I can caution is - don't press it within the first 6 weeks, I thought I was all cool loading the dishwasher - I was not, I was dumb, sore and tired !

Tri Hard !
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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I had one as well.

Did nothing but walking for 6 weeks.
Then started swimming.
Started easy riding to and from work at 4 months.
Started running at 6 months.
Was doing crit racing by 7 months.
Did IMWA at 20 months. ;-)

I basically took up the sports in the reverse order I stopped doing them (ran til week 25, road til week 30, and swam til week of). FWIW, I took it pretty easy but I had incision pain for almost 18 months, as my incision had trouble healing (I had to use steri-strips for almost 6 weeks post-op). I still have bladder sensitivity today. Oh and DON'T FORGET YOUR KEGELS!

AP

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"How bad could it be?" - SimpleS
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Re: After C-Section [DawnT] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for posting the picture. We think he's pretty awesome.
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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Congratulations! I looked at your blog and your baby is adorable.
I had a c-section four years ago (June 2008) and it took about 6 weeks to start running slowly. The biking came back much more slowly, not for physical reasons, but for lack of time. I had an 18 month old and a newborn back then plus was breastfeeding the little one, so a few hours away on a bicycle was not an option! But I was able to pick up the mileage by the 8th week and lost all the babyfat by the 3 month mark so felt human again. Can't advise you on swimming as I didn't pick that up until '06.
Enjoy the new baby, it' so exciting to have a little one in the house.



http://cyclingmama2.blogspot.com
Last edited by: Cyclingmama2: Dec 8, 08 4:20
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Re: After C-Section [snotrocket] [ In reply to ]
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Was running 6 weeks after my second C-section, while pushing my three kids in the triple jogger. I had no probelms at all. Fitness came back quickly.


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I have failed at many things, but never in my desire to try again.
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