Fitness for Mums - Vix's Response

Mum Zone's resident Professional Fitness Specialist Vix of Mama Moves is available to answer some of your questions about fitness.

Topics include: Getting back your pre baby body, weight loss, toning and defining, body shaping, improved fitness, general wellbeing, hormonal balancing, increased strength and fitness, improvement or elimination of urinary incontinence, reduction in the size of diastasis recti, making the abdomen more stable, reduction or elimination of lower back pain, improved energy levels, decreased anxiety and stress levels, greater ability to carry out daily activities eg. lifting bub and more.

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Reader's Question

My first baby is due in 6 weeks and I am starting to think about getting back into shape after the little one arrives. How soon can I start exercising again and what types of exercises do you recommend new mums begin with?

Vix's Response

It is generally recommended by Obstetricians and Gynecologists to gradually resume your pre-pregnancy routine based on your own personal physical capability. If you delivered vaginally, your obstetrician/midwife will suggest you wait until your 6 week postpartum checkup so he can see how you are recovering from childbirth.

Generally speaking, if you exercised right up until delivery, you can probably safely perform your pre-pregnancy workout, or at least light exercise such as modified sit-ups and stretching within days of giving birth, as long as you had a normal vaginal delivery. However, if you stopped exercising during your pregnancy or are a newcomer to fitness, it is advised that you take on your new fitness regime slowly for the first 4 weeks.

Having a cesarean is having major surgery and generally speaking your recovery period may be longer than a vaginal birth (it will vary from person to person).

Typically, you will be given the go ahead by your Obstetrician between 6 to 10 weeks postpartum.

VIX

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The opinions expressed on these pages are of a general nature and are by no means a substitute for professional advice. Therefore neither Mum Zone or Vix Erber of Mama Moves are liable for any actions pertaining to the use of the supplied information.