No matter how many front cover magazine stories you see, or certified (certifiable more like!) people feeling they can comment, do not exercise until 6 weeks postpartum (or 8-10 if you had a section)
Exercising early can cause adverse affects, and you could be at risk to hemorrhaging, damaged abdominal muscles, infection, and spilt stitches. But, to me, more importantly than all of that, I don't think women should be concerned with all of that just yet, if at all. Take this time to bond with the child, take this time to try and get your head around what has happened. I am 3 weeks postpartum and I still feel in shock. The first night I brought my son home I had multiple panic attacks, bouts of uncontrollable tears, worrying about this little-life I had, somehow created. I felt vulnerable, and to be honest not up to the job. Feeling 'fat' on top of that and concerning myself with exercise would have been an un-called for.
When will people understand that pregnancy and labour is probably one of the most traumatic events it can go through, it needs time to heal, it needs good food, and it needs lots of rest. Not to mention, with a newborn around it can be hard to replenish yourself as it is. This kind of pressure really gets on my nerves. My best friend was told by another person that they went for jogging sessions the first week of giving birth, now I am not even sure I believe that, but to encourage another to do the same makes my blood boil.
I have found just 'getting back to normal', for instance food shopping, lifting things has had a fast impact on my shape and my body is pretty much back to normal, I'm lucky. For those who aren't so lucky and are desperate to do something, I would suggest taking the child out in the pram going for a walk, then increasing the length of the walk as you go on. Be mindful of your nesting instinct, you are probably working those muscles, by fixing up the nursery, making bottles of formula/lifting child to feed.
Please bare in mind, also that the uterus is contracting during this time, after labour it takes up room at the front of your stomach, it will go back into the pelvis when good and ready, the midwife/health visitor will check if this is taking place. Things are going back to how they were, it is a matter of time.
I would not advise another to embark on a new exercise routine given the woman's tender form, nor would I plaster on another (unnecessary) pressure at this most fragile and exciting of times.
Get a grip.
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